Clogged Air Ducts Can Do a Number on Your HVAC System

Dirty ductwork in your home exposes your household to elevated levels of dust, dander, bacteria, and possibly even mold spores. Less known is that it also wreaks havoc on your heating and cooling system.

Since so much of our HVAC system is out of sight, out of mind, air ducts often don’t get the attention they need.

Read on to learn how debris and dust in ducts can shorten the lifespan of your heating and cooling system and increase your monthly energy bill.

Can Dirty Ducts Restrict Airflow?

Absolutely—and unless you’re cleaning your home regularly, you might be making it hard on your HVAC system. The average person sheds over a pound of dead skin annually, and that’s only one component of the buildup clogging your home’s HVAC ductwork.

Dust is made up of dirt, hair, human and pet dander, pollen, and worse—four out of five US homes have at least trace amounts of dust mites in their beds. Your home piles on an additional 40 pounds of dust every year—and plenty of it ends up in your HVAC system.

Of course, this debris also collects over time in your ductwork, which circulates the warm or cool air from your furnace, AC, or heat pump.

While a clean HVAC air filter can lower dust levels, it can’t remove them completely or prevent dust from entering the 20-40 air vents throughout your home.

Over time, dust and debris settle in parts of the ducts causing unequal airflow or internal air pressure.

How Dirt and Dust in Ducts Can Cost Homeowners

A professionally maintained HVAC system will run efficiently, with even airflow and top-notch filtration.

A large part of that efficiency is cleanliness. Dirty ducts damage your HVAC system over months or years but put a dent in your wallet right away.

Here are a few ways clogged ducts impact your expensive HVAC equipment:

1. Reduced airflow

When the airflow inside your ducts is restricted it causes your HVAC system to work harder for longer. This added workload decreases energy efficiency, increasing heating and cooling expenses. Over time, the additional burden increases the risk of emergency repairs and early retirement for your boiler, heat pump, furnace, or AC unit.

2. Hot and cold spots

Uneven heating and cooling patterns often indicate that clogged air ducts are blocking air to certain parts of your home. It’s another symptom of reduced airflow that leaves some rooms or entire levels of your home uncomfortable. Your heating and cooling system will work harder to balance the temperature, especially if homeowners are forced to adjust the thermostat a few degrees to compensate.

3. Rising energy costs

While emergency repairs and equipment might seem like future expenses, dirty ducts are likely cleaning out your wallet right now, too. Clean, well-maintained HVAC equipment can cut energy consumption by 20% to 50%.

Read more: Should I Wrap My Ductwork?

Can Dirty Air Ducts Affect Air Conditioners?

Absolutely. Clogged ducts impact all home HVAC systems that rely on ductwork. The factors listed above all increase the risk of overworking the system, negatively impacting performance and causing more breakdowns and emergency repairs.

The only AC systems not affected by dirty ducts don’t have ducts: window ACs or ductless mini splits.

One of the best ways to spot problems is to watch your energy bill. Even if you’re not familiar with your heat pump or AC’s inner workings, contact your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning if you spot an inexplicable spike in energy costs during AC season.

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

We recommend professional duct cleaning every three to five years, but the need varies based on several factors.

Households with one or more pets; individuals with asthma or respiratory issues; or those in dry, dusty climates may need more frequent service. We also get many requests from homeowners who recently completed a renovation project in their home that kicked up construction dust.

Enjoy Fresh, Clean Ducts

Ductwork has a misunderstood, underappreciated role to play in the health and longevity of residential heating and cooling equipment. Clean ducts are a key part of an efficient HVAC system and cleaning them instantly upgrades your home’s indoor air quality.

For punctual, professional duct cleaning with 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed, think of your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. Find the location nearest you or call (800) 893-3523 today!