Ducted heating and cooling systems are a staple in many Australian homes because they offer whole-house temperature control, energy efficiency and a general feeling of comfort inside your home. But, just like any other machine, if you don’t give them a bit of TLC, their performance starts to slip. Research out of the Australian Government’s energy efficiency programs shows that heating and cooling are responsible for about 40% of a typical Aussie household’s energy bill. That’s a pretty big chunk, so keeping your system in good working order is pretty important when it comes to your annual power costs. Small problems that go unchecked can make your unit less efficient, cost you more money to run and even lead to premature breakdowns.
Rising Energy Consumption Without Any Changes at Home
The single best way to spot that your ducted system is crying out for a professional service is a sharp increase in your energy bills with no change in how much you’re using the thing. With household electricity prices going up over the last decade, any drops in efficiency are going to hit you harder in the wallet than ever before. Studies in the HVAC sector have shown that clogged filters, dirty evaporator coils and airflow restrictions can knock 15% to 30% off your system’s efficiency.
When your energy bill starts to go up without any change in the weather or how much you’re using it, it’s usually a sign that all is not well with your system. Anyone who’s got ducted heating and cooling Frankston knows that if their components get blocked or start to wear out, they can end up paying more for their seasonal energy costs.
Uneven Temperatures at Home
A properly working ducted system should keep the temperature pretty much the same across all the rooms. Research from the U.S. Department of Energy found that if your ductwork is in a bit of a state, you can lose anywhere from 20% to 30% of the air that’s supposed to be heating or cooling your home through leaks, bits of duct that are disconnected or insulation that’s gone a bit wrong. This can really make a difference to how evenly the temperature is throughout the house.
Noises You Shouldn’t Be Hearing
Mechanical noises can be a real giveaway when something’s going wrong with your system. Industry maintenance reports say that weird noises account for about a quarter of the time your local heating and cooling technician turns up at your door. Now, not all systems are completely silent all the time, but new rattling, grinding, squealing or banging sounds are definitely a warning sign.
Reduced Airflow from Supply Vents
Airflow decline is one of the most tell-tale signs that an HVAC system is starting to fall behind the eight ball. Research by some pretty knowledgeable folks in the HVAC industry has shown us that clogged up air filters can knock airflow back by 1025%. If the ducts are all blocked up, things can get a whole lot worse. When that airflow drops, the system has to work that much harder to reach the desired temperature which, of course, means it’s going to guzzle more energy and put even more wear and tear on the mechanical bits.
You’re more likely to notice a weaker breeze coming out of your vents than you might think. It can be a bit of a sneaky thing, developing over time until your home feels like it’s not quite as comfy as it used to be. When a pro comes in to give your system a service they’ll be looking at things like static pressure testing, inspecting the ducts for blockages, swapping out the filters and checking the blower’s performance.
Frequent Cycling and Runs That Just Won’t End
HVACs are designed to work in a pretty predictable way. Start, heat/cool, stop. That can all go out the window when you’ve got underlying problems with efficiency. Studies have shown that, under the same conditions, units that are struggling with airflow restrictions or faulty sensors can run for up to 50% longer than properly maintained ones.
Poor Indoor Air Quality and Stinky Smells
Lots of people think they can tell when their indoor air quality has gone off the rails and often it’s because of a really unpleasant smell. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has been saying for ages that maintaining good indoor air is a big deal. We spend a lot of time indoors after all. So what kind of things should you be on the lookout for? Dust building up in the ducts, nasty microbes growing in there, and clogged filters can all have a pretty bad impact on indoor air quality.
