(707) 539-4533 |  Sonoma Napa and Marin Counties

My Duct Work Insulation Is a Mess; Should I Replace It?

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Air Duct Cleaning, HVAC

My Duct Work Insulation Is a Mess; Should I Replace It?

Is your HVAC duct insulation falling apart or otherwise showing signs of disrepair? If so, it might be time to bring an HVAC specialist into your home to check everything and replace the insulation. While the insulation condition is not quite as critical as the condition of the duct itself, it can impact your energy consumption and utility bills, and the overall temperature of your home.

Why Duct Work Insulation Matters

Duct Work Insulation

If you find duct insulation that’s dilapidated, wet, moldy, or torn apart from people accessing your crawlspace, your best bet is probably to remove it and start anew. Air duct insulation is tough to clean or remediate. Especially if it has become wet, the only way to proceed is to trash the old materials and replace them with new insulation. Now, you may find yourself wondering: do I really need ductwork insulation?

There are homes—particularly new construction houses—that do not have HVAC duct insulation. They leave conduits exposed and visible on the basement ceiling. However, just because some builders go this route doesn’t mean it is wise. A lack of duct insulation poses three problems for your home: high energy usage, expensive utility bills, and inconsistent temperatures inside.

When your HVAC system heats or cools your home, the air must travel through the duct network to various vents throughout your home. These channels’ job is to distribute air throughout the home, thereby creating consistent temperatures in every room in the house. This temperature should match the temperature you have set on your home’s thermostat.

Most ducting is made of either thin fiberglass or sheet metal. These materials have next to no insulating properties on their own, which means they very quickly lose (or “leak”) air as it moves through the ducts. Leaking air means that the air temperature moving through the channel is profoundly influenced by the temperature outside. Insulation on ducts does an excellent job of preventing air leaking, which means the air stays at or near the desired temperature as it moves through the passage to your heating and cooling vents.

Without HVAC duct insulation, though, you have a problem. Imagine trying to heat your house during the winter. Imagine that it’s -10 degrees outside, and some of that frigid air is getting into your house and into the room (usually the basement) where the ducting is housed. Now, imagine that your air channel system is unprotected by duct insulation. You are asking your HVAC system to pump warm air through a cold room with nothing to insulate it but sheet metal. Without a doubt, there are going to be problems with heat leaking. The warm air will lose temperature as it moves through the ducts, making it more difficult to heat the house satisfactorily. You will have the same problem trying to cool your home in the summer.

The Cost of Uninsulated Ductwork

Still, air leaking is costly. When air is heated, or cooled moving through the ducts, it’s essentially losing energy. Your HVAC is working to maintain your home’s thermostat temperature, but its efforts aren’t successful because the air coming through your vents isn’t the right temperature. As a result, the HVAC system must work harder (and heat/cool the air more) to achieve and maintain your thermostat reading. Mostly, you end up using more energy and spending more money for less consistent and less satisfying interior temperatures.

There is also the problem of condensation. When warm air meets a cold surface, water droplets form. This issue can occur in or on HVAC duct insulation when air leaking is a problem. In turn, Moisture buildup leads to mold and mildew, which can impair the air quality in your home and pose a significant health risk.

Ultimately, uninsulated ductwork can cost you in terms of energy, comfort, money, and health. None of these costs are worth paying— primarily when you can mitigate the problem so easily with insulation.

The Verdict: Replacing Old Ductwork Insulation

The question posed by this blog post was whether you should replace your ductwork insulation if it is looking messy or damaged. The answer, as you have probably already gathered, is yes. If you notice a problem with your HVAC duct insulation—or if you see that part of the air channel was left uninsulated by a builder or previous owner—you should call a ducting expert to replace your insulation and seal the ducts. Fixing the issue now will save you money and headache later. You might also consider cleaning the ducts to ensure premium performance.

Check with us here at Valley Comfort Heating and Air. Our customers love our attention to detail and our friendly, affordable service. (707) 539-4533

Should I Replace Or Repair My Equipment? Questions To Ask Yourself

by | Dec 25, 2014 | Air Conditioning, HVAC

A lot of homeowners know the feeling of deciding whether or not to buy new appliances. It’s because most people think that buying means spending and repairing means saving. Though this can be true sometimes, it is important to know when to buy and when not to buy. There are moments when buying is the best solution and there are instances when repair can do the trick. Here are some pieces of advice when deciding between repair jobs and buying new equipment.

Should I replace or repair my equipment?

When it comes to heating and air conditioning units, it’s wise to ask this question before making a decision. The first thing that you need to consider is how you long you have been using your unit. If your unit is just a few months old, you should check the duration of your warranty to know if it is still covered. On the other hand, if your heating or cooling unit is more than 20 years old, you may want to get a replacement. You can also ask for quotes from various technicians if your unit is no longer covered by warranty. It would be easier to decide whether or not you should have your unit repaired once you know the total cost. If the cost of repair is more than buying a new unit, you may start looking for a new appliance that is known with good quality.

Energy Efficiency

If your unit costs more to repair and consumes a lot of energy compared to other units in the market, you definitely need to consider getting a new unit. Think about the savings that you can get in the long run if you get a high-quality, energy-efficient heating or cooling device. You can determine if a unit is energy-efficient by checking its SEER and HSPF ratings. Units with high SEER and HSPF ratings are more energy- efficient compared to units with lower ratings.

Only Experts Know What’s Best

If you are undecided whether you should replace your unit or not, you need to contact a professional to properly assess your machine. Call us for all of your home HVAC needs and we will help you out as soon as possible. We will ensure that your unit is checked by an expert who knows how to handle both simple and complex HVAC concerns.