We may not get the bitterly cold winters that other parts of the country do, but that doesn\u2019t mean we don\u2019t need a fully functioning heater when the cold does hit\u2014particularly at night! However, your forced-air heater simply cannot perform as it should if the ductwork is breached.<\/p>\n
It happens too often\u2014homeowners have trouble heating their homes and assume there is a problem with their heating system. They may put off repairs thinking that it\u2019s an expensive issue to fix, or they may think they\u2019re imagining their heating troubles since they just had their system maintained.<\/p>\n
What you may not realize, however, is that the heating problems you\u2019re having may not be a heater malfunction at all, <\/em>but rather the result of faulty ductwork. Your system\u2019s air ducts are typically hidden from view, so it\u2019s understandable that you wouldn\u2019t notice a problem right away. There are plenty of warning signs to look out for and listen for, though.<\/p>\n Do You Hear a Whistling Sound When Your Heater Is Running?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you hear what sounds like a whistling or hissing when your heating system is operating, then you likely need to have your ducts professionally sealed, as it is most likely the symptom of air escaping from your the ducts. This can lead to wasted energy which will cost you when it comes to energy bills.<\/p>\n Is Your Indoor Air Quality Poor?<\/strong><\/p>\n A reduction in indoor air quality is likely a sign that you need professional air duct sealing. It\u2019s not just air that will escape your ductwork, after all. It\u2019s also pollutants and allergens that would have normally been filtered out by your system\u2019s air filter or any other indoor air quality product you may have installed.<\/p>\n Are Your Energy Bills Spiking?<\/strong><\/p>\n When air is leaking from your ducts, then naturally your heater will have to work harder and longer to do its job. Therefore, you may see a rise in your energy bills, even though you aren\u2019t achieving the level of heat that you should be, and you aren\u2019t using your heater any more than you did last year.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that duct sealing should only be done professionally. This is a service many people think they can forgo and just use store-bought duct tape. Unfortunately, this tape is not aptly named and should never be used to repair your air ducts.<\/p>\n