(630) 435-9800
105 W 61st Westmont, IL 60559
While there are many ways to make your home more energy efficient, there is one area that tends to get overlooked — your air ducts. Air duct leaks are responsible for wasting as much as 10% of the energy used in your Warrenville home every year, which can easily run up a hefty monthly or annual bill.
Luckily, spotting an air duct leak is not too difficult if you know what to look for. This AC repair contractor in Warrenville, Illinois is going to review the six most common signs that indicate an air duct leak.
The obvious sign of an air duct leak is an increase in your electric bill. If cold air is escaping from your air ducts, your AC unit will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your Warrenville home. We recommend contacting a professional AC repair contractor in Warrenville, Illinois to inspect your air ducts if your AC has been running continuously for a long time.
Moisture can be a telltale sign that your air ducts are leaking. This can cause mold, mildew, and other related damage. Mold produces spores that release toxic chemicals into the air you breathe. Though relatively harmless when taken internally, these substances cause major issues when inhaled.
Plus, having damp areas in your home only makes it more likely for leaks to happen, as they will develop faster and expand if they are wet before they start leaking. By contacting your AC repair contractor in Warrenville, Illinois as soon as possible, you can avoid further damage.
We are not saying that these are only indicators of a leaky duct. They could also be caused by something else, such as your pet shedding fur or skin onto the vents.
If you often notice musty smells — especially when combined with other signs on this list —there is a good chance that air is escaping through the ducts.
In many cases, a leak can be detected because there are cracks or holes visible in the ductwork. These tiny fractures can grow over time as air continuously escapes from the ductwork, weakening it until it can no longer hold up under pressure.
Leaking air ducts can sometimes produce strange sounds. The sounds you hear are usually a result of air rushing into or out of your ductwork. Depending on which end is leaking, you might hear groans (air flowing out) or whistles (air flowing in).
In some cases, however, you may also hear flapping noises that occur as air leaks back and forth between your home’s ducts and pipes. These can be particularly difficult to identify since they are often mixed with other background noises, such as from a furnace cycling on and off.
Depending on the leak’s location, warm air might be released from your home’s supply vents. In these situations, you can detect ductwork leaks by placing your hand over a supply vent to confirm whether the temperature is cool or warm. If you notice warm air blowing out when your air conditioner is running, do not hesitate to contact your local AC repair contractor in Warrenville, Illinois.
Have you noticed any of the signs of an air duct leak mentioned above? If so, and if you’re looking to have the issue repaired by the most trusted AC repair contractor in Warrenville, Illinois, look no further than Hearthstone Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us today at (630) 435-9800 to schedule an inspection.
