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Mechanical Air Conditioning Blog

Rattling Sounds, Moldy Smells, and Other Signs Your Ducts Need Professional Attention

Your ductwork plays a crucial role in heating and cooling your home. When your ductwork is in excellent condition, you’ll enjoy better HVAC efficiency and indoor air quality. But if you’re having problems with your ductwork, your home and family may suffer as a result.

It is important to stay ahead of problems with ductwork in Hobe Sound, FL. You can keep reading to learn more about some signs that your ductwork needs repair or replacement. Then give our team a call to schedule your ductwork inspection appointment so we can help get your heating and cooling back on track and improve your indoor air quality.

Ductwork Rattling

It is normal to hear a gentle rattling come from your ductwork occasionally. Ductwork is a very thin material that expands and contracts with temperature changes. If the ductwork is heating up or cooling down, it may rattle gently when your unit first turns on. But that rattling should not last for more than 30 seconds or so. If the rattling persists, that indicates your ductwork is loose.

Bad Odors

The air that blows out of vents connected to your HVAC system should never have an odor of any kind. If you begin to smell a musty or moldy odor, it’s a red flag that mold is developing somewhere in your HVAC system or your ductwork. Air ducts are dark spaces where mold can thrive in the right environment.

If broken seals allow humidity into the ductwork, that can elevate your risk for mold since the spores also need dampness to thrive and spread. If you suspect that you have mold growing in either your HVAC system or your ductwork, give our team a call for an inspection. If we do discover mold growth, we can treat it and make any repairs needed to prevent mold from coming back again in the future.

Lack of Airflow

If your HVAC system is on and you hold your hand up to a vent in your home, you should be able to feel a strong and steady stream of air blowing out. If you don’t, your ductwork may be damaged enough that airflow is getting lost before it reaches your home. 

This problem increases your energy costs as your HVAC system works harder and harder to keep your home comfortable despite the air loss. In fact, experts estimate that losing just 20% of the air produced by your HVAC system can increase your energy costs by 50%. Investing in duct services is a great way to save money on your monthly energy costs.

High Dust Levels

Another sign to watch for is dust levels that seem to increase. If you have a lot of dust in your home, broken ductwork could be to blame. If your ductwork gets damaged or the seals break, they can allow dust and dirt into the clean air that blows into your home.

Having your ductwork repaired and resealed will go a long way toward reducing dust levels. We can also complete a duct cleaning service to eliminate all of the dust and dirt buildup inside of your ductwork, so you have a fresh start. Ideally, we encourage you to have ductwork service scheduled once every three to five years.

Contact the Mechanical Air Conditioning team for your central heating and air conditioning needs.

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