I’ll end up paying a lot more in monthly utility bills
Although I’ve been quite good about taking proper care of my furnace and air conditioner, I completely forgot about the ductwork until it started causing problems. The ventilation system is nearly entirely concealed behind walls, ceilings, in the attic and crawl spaces. Because I never saw it, I never gave it a thought. However, the ductwork is extremely important and its performance has a big impact on everything from comfort and air quality to energy efficiency and budget. While the furnace and air conditioner share the workload, the ductwork operates nearly year round. In my local area, there is seldom an opportunity to go without some type of temperature control. For approximately nine to ten months per year, the windows are shut tight and we’re running either the furnace or the air conditioner. That means that the air my family breathes and counts on for comfort passes through the duct system multiple times per day. If there’s an accumulation of debris, such as dust, dander, dead mice, mold growth or any kind of harmful toxins, these contaminants can become airborne every time the furnace or air conditioner starts up. The pollutants get spread throughout the house and can lead to severe health concerns. If there are any holes in the ducts or leaks at the seams, the heated or cooled air can escape. Because the conditioned air fails to reach the various rooms of the house, the furnace or air conditioner is forced to run longer, work harder and will struggle to achieve ideal comfort. I’ll end up paying a lot more in monthly utility bills. The wear and tear on equipment increases the chance of malfunction and shortens service life.