In the Phoenix area, many residents depend on Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical to keep their homes comfortable and functional. When the Arizona sun beats down on your house, you need an expert team to come to your rescue if something goes wrong with your cooling equipment. Our experienced technicians handle home climate system issues of all sizes.
However, there is a hidden part of your cooling and heating system that also affects the operation of the equipment. Beneath the floor and inside the walls, ductwork carries treated air from the furnace or air conditioner to vents throughout the home. Holes or leaks in your ducts will reduce the efficiency of the whole system.
If you are having trouble getting a zone to the right temperature, it is worth investigating the condition of your ductwork. There are several signs that your ducts need attention.
Unexpected Utility Bill Costs
One of the first signs of a problem with your cooling or heating system is an increased utility bill. When there are holes in your ducts, some treated air never makes it to its destination. If your ducts have narrowing or blockages due to excessive dust, your system will have to push extra air to change the temperature. Anything that creates extra work for your equipment will raise the cost of operation.
Faulty ducts can also shorten the usable life of your heating and cooling equipment. At your annual maintenance check, our technicians may point out signs of unusual wear and tear. Working harder puts more stress on these machines. At the appropriate time, Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical is ready to assist you with a furnace or air conditioner replacement. However, no one wants to take on this task sooner than necessary.
Inconsistent Room Temperatures
Modern climate systems are designed to distribute air evenly throughout your interior spaces. As you move from room to room in your home, every space should be roughly the same temperature. If you encounter a room that is noticeably warmer or cooler than others, it may be a sign of compromised ducts. Not enough treated air makes its way through the vent.
Before you call for a repair, you will want to perform some simple troubleshooting. First, make certain that the vent is open and not blocked by furniture. A closed vent will not allow the heating and cooling system to do its job. You will also want to check the room with the thermostat. If someone left a window open in that room, the system must work harder to get to the right temperature. This extra work can throw off the temperature of other rooms in the home.
Unusual Noises
Metal parts expand and contract as the temperature changes. This physical change leads to the different noises your system makes as it runs. As a homeowner, you get used to the normal range of sounds that the ductwork produces.
Strange sounds often indicate a problem with your ducts. As forced air flows through leaks or holes, you might hear whistling or wheeze in the walls. If there are loose parts or connections, there might be some banging or popping. Any unusual sound deserves your attention. Our friendly technicians will diagnose the problem and get things back to normal.
Signs of Infestation
As the temperature rises in Phoenix, you and your family are not the only ones searching for an escape from the heat. Household pests are always on the lookout for a dark, cool place to hide, and your ducts may seem like the perfect solution. They can enjoy the cool air while gaining access to other parts of your home.
It does not require a large opening for pests to get inside your system, so you may not notice their entry points immediately. However, it will not be long before you encounter signs of an infestation. When the system runs, you will smell the presence of rodents and their waste. You may also see dead insects or rodent droppings near your vents.
If you suspect a pest infestation, a call to a professional exterminating service is your first move. When these experts have cleared out the unwelcome guests, our team can check your ducts for holes, leaks, and other damage.
Mold and Mildew
During the cooling season, you may notice condensation around your ducts. When the cool metal of the ductwork comes in contact with warm household air, water vapor will gather as droplets. This duct sweating can lead to several household problems.
Mold and mildew grow in dark, damp spaces. When water condenses in your basement or inside your walls, it can provide a home for mold colonies. As the mold patches get larger, they will release spores that can cause allergic reactions in some people.
The presence of mold and mildew decreases the quality of life in your home. The dank smell of mildew is unpleasant and makes your home seem unclean. If mold colonies spread to your walls, they cause permanent stains that require expensive drywall repairs.
Many of our Phoenix customers use humidifiers to make the dry Arizona air a little more comfortable. Condensation around your ductwork may indicate that the humidity is getting too high in that area. Using your humidifier along with a humidistat will help control moisture levels.
Excess Dust Around Vents
Dust is a chronic problem in most homes. Hair, dirt particles, and dander are always floating around your indoor air. Your home comfort system has a filter to remove the largest particles. This precaution helps preserve the function of your furnace and air conditioner. Regularly changing the filter will prevent excess dust buildup and keep things running smoothly.
A typical air filter does not remove smaller dust particles. As air moves through the system, dust will coat the walls. Over time, this layer can affect the efficiency of the system by slowing airflow. Leaks and gaps in your ducts provide additional avenues for dust particles, and dust will gather faster in a compromised system. The team at Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can clean your ducts and address any leaks.
Dust gathering around the vents of your heating and cooling system is an obvious sign of a problem. People who are allergic to pet dander or dust mites will exhibit other symptoms. An allergy sufferer may wake up with a dry, sore throat, develop cold symptoms, or feel generally unwell. Our team can work with you to determine any indoor air quality issues and help implement powerful IAQ solutions.
Complete Home Services for Phoenix-Area Residents
The experts at Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical are ready to handle your home maintenance needs. We help Phoenix residents stay comfortable in every season. Our team can assist you with the installation, maintenance, and repair of heating and cooling equipment. We are also the company to call for plumbing, electrical, and indoor air quality concerns. To work with our experienced team, contact Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical today.
