Anything that interferes with the structural integrity of the duct material or joints can cause air leaks. Below are examples of common causes of air leaks.

• It sits on uncompacted soil
• Heavy rainfall or flooding saturates the soil
• Earthquakes or tremors destabilize the soil under the house

In such a case, the duct system might suffer damage at the seams, which are the weak points, and leak air.

The duct system is subject to wear and tear, just like other parts of the house. Temperature fluctuations, high humidity, and vibrations due to air circulation cause the wear and tear. Over time, the seals can deteriorate, the duct material can corrode, and the duct joints can disengage.

Pests that find their way into the duct system can also cause damage. Large pests can cause damage even from outside the duct network. Common culprits include squirrels and rats.

Lastly, pressure imbalance in the house can also damage the duct system. Ideally, the pressure from the return and supply ducts should not vary too widely. That might not be the case if you close some vents. The resultant imbalance can force some air through joints in the duct.

You should know if your duct system leaks so that you can plug them and prevent costly complications. Below are some telltale signs of a leaky duct system.

Your AC relies on the duct system to supply cool air to different parts of the house. If some of the ducts leaks, the AC will have to overwork to cool your home. In cases of serious leaks, your AC might even run the whole day without cooling your house to comfortable temperatures.

You should also suspect leaky air ducts if you experience cold and warm spots in the house. Such uneven cooling occurs if the leaks affect specific parts of the house. For example, supply ducts to the bedroom might leak while other supply ducts remain intact. In such a case, the bedroom might remain warm even when other parts of the house are comfortable.

Duct damage also means that air can get into the ductwork. Unfortunately, the areas around the duct systems tend to be dirty or dusty. If such dirty air enters the ductwork, it will circulate with the conditioned air and contaminate your house. You should suspect such an issue if your house is dustier than usual or if your AC's filters clog up faster than usual.

• The filter is dirty
• Unconditioned air contaminates the ductwork
• The ductwork leaks conditioned air
• It struggles to cool your house

In such cases, you might notice an increase in your energy bills even if you haven't changed your energy-consumption habits.

Leaky air ducts might not cause immediate damage to the AC. However, your house will be uncomfortable, and you will use more energy than usual if you continue to run the AC under such conditions. Weather Control Air Conditioning, Inc., has extensive experience in AC maintenance and service. Contact us today so that we can diagnose and solve your cooling problems.