How Air Ducts Impact Heating and Cooling Efficiency

The air ducts that move air in and out of the home are a huge part of HVAC logistics. Their health affects energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and home comfort. As such, it’s important for homeowners to keep these parts in tip top shape.

Air Ducts Transport Heating Cooling

• Return duct/vent
• Supply duct/vent
• Air ducts

Once the thermostat switches on to prompt heating and cooling, the return vents jump into action. The return vent is the air vent located in the home that pulls air into the heating cooling system. With untreated air entering the air ducts, air passes through the air filter, then the furnace for heating cooling treatment. After air is heated, it moves through the supply air ducts and through the supply vent back into the home.

First Things, First: The Importance of Insulating Your Air Ducts

In most homes air duct installation takes place in the attic. Tucked away from the rest of the home, keeping air ducts in the attic utilizes empty space and hides equipment from view. However, the attic space itself is a unique environment that can work against heating cooling efficiency.

The attic is typically full of construction leaks and holes. Roof panels and broken windows allow outdoor temperature to enter the attic. During the summer, the attic superheats to triple digits. In the winter, temperatures can drop to dramatic lows. As a result, cold outdoor air slowly sneaks into the home, first from the attic then through the ceiling and into the rooms.

In addition, cold attic air also affects the temperature of the actual air ducts. By cooling the air ducts, and other pieces of equipment, heated air inside the ducts also drop in temperature. This difference in temperature successfully undoes heating. Consequently, home air takes longer to reach the temperature set on the heating cooling thermostat.

To combat this issue altogether, air duct insulation is essential. This additional layer over the air duct system protects and traps treated air until it reaches the house.

Damaged Air Ducts Affect Home Heating and Cooling

The most important aspect of the heating cooling duct system is the fact that is transports air in and out of the home and through the furnace. Once the thermostat turns on and calls for heating and cooling, indoor air sweeps into the system and picks up whatever lies inside.

What might you find inside your heating cooling air ducts?

• Microbiological growth
• Gasses, greases and oils
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Asbestos
• Chemical solvents
• Pet dander
• Insects
• Fecal matter

All this contributes to poor indoor air quality.

If the heating cooling air ducts sustain damages, homeowners experience issues like low energy efficiency and unreliable heating cooling service.

These poor conditions result from:

• Air duct leaks and holes
• Poor air duct insulation
• Damaged air duct skin and joints
• Clogged vents
• Stalled or impaired blower motors or discs

Air Ducts Need Your Care for Proper Heating Cooling

Keeping air ducts clean and healthy is a huge part of minimizing utility bills, increasing home comfort, and system reliability. If you currently operate your heating cooling system on troubled air ducts, you’re likely spending far too much on HVAC bills Instead, utilize this care plan to cut costs and save long term.

At home, homeowners are encouraged to:

• Wipe down and keep vents and registers clean
• Replace the air filter every few months
• Keep areas around vents clear of obstruction and debris

In addition, homeowners should schedule heating cooling maintenance, especially if your furnace has never been serviced. Just one appointment helps identify and isolate problem areas. With special attention to the air ducts of the heating cooling system, your specialist determines how to best improve energy efficiency, safety and cleanliness so that your air ducts are at their best.

Once heating cooling maintenance is complete, your technician may recommend heating cooling repairs. These may range from sealing small leaks and holes to a full-fledged air duct cleaning. While it may sound overwhelming, all these services help improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and service performance while extending the lifespan of the heating cooling system.

Maximize Heating Cooling with Service Champions Experts

Service Champions Heating & Air Conditioning is the Diamond Certified HVAC provider for Orange and Los Angeles Counties. As the heating cooling experts of Southern California, we lead in air care solutions, maintenance, repairs and installations.

Homeowners trust us to deliver exceptional customer service and expert technical care, and we will not disappoint. From start to finish, we are the preferred heating cooling specialists.

To elevate your home comfort and heating cooling services, work with our team. Meet your heating cooling specialist by completing the form linked here. You can also speak to our friendly call center representatives for more information.