How to Check AC Ducts for Leaks: Why You Should Inspect

If your home struggles to maintain comfortable temperatures or you notice your utility bill is higher than usual, your first thought may be that you have a broken HVAC unit. However, it's not always the system that causes heating and cooling problems in a home. Instead, it could be the air ducts.

When your air ducts leak, your HVAC unit struggles to satisfy thermostat demands and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Knowing how to check AC ducts for leaks can save you money on energy bills and ensure that your heating and cooling system continues to run efficiently year-round.

When you need Hillsdale air duct cleaning services, give the experts at Gladiator Services a call. Our experts know the ins and outs of New Jersey HVAC systems and can help you improve indoor air quality and keep your home comfortable year-round.

Common Signs of Air Duct Leaks

Air duct leaks are not always as apparent as we would like. Below are some of the most common signs of air duct leaks.

Higher Than Normal Utility Bills

The air ducts in your home carry cool or warm air from room to room to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. However, when the ducts leak, air can slip out before it reaches the right room. As a result, your HVAC unit has to work harder to produce a sufficient amount of air and achieve the desired temperature.

When your system works harder, it draws more power and gradually increases your utility bill. If you notice your monthly bill is higher than usual without changing how you use the power in your home, check the air ducts for potential leaks.

There's More Dust in Your Home

If you frequently dust your home and seem to make no progress in cleaning, your air ducts could be the culprit. When air ducts leak, they can collect dust from the attic and distribute it all around your house.

Dust not only creates an untidy look but can impact your home's indoor air quality. Excessive dust can be especially harmful to individuals with asthma or allergies.

Your Home Has Uneven Temperatures

Do you notice random hot and cold spots throughout your home? It could be the result of a leaking duct.

Leaking ducts struggle to distribute air around your house properly. As a result, some rooms can be warm while others feel frigid. Not only does this make your home uncomfortable, but it can reduce the lifespan of your HVAC unit.

How to Check AC Ducts for Leaks

If you suspect you have leaking ducts, it's time to investigate. But you may be wondering how to check AC ducts for leaks?

Thankfully, this is not a complicated process. Calling your local HVAC technician is the easiest way to locate the source of an air conditioning problem. Gladiator Services performs comprehensive inspections to quickly find the leak and provide an effective and enduring solution.

Air ducts are often in the attic and basement. Your Gladiator Service professional can help you find the ducts in your home during the inspection.

To find the leak, we'll put your system on high and use a smoke pencil. When doing this yourself, you can also use a piece of paper as it will have erratic movements when you pass the leak.

Checking the duct joints, where two or more ducts meet, is essential, as it is a common location for leaking air. This area tends to weaken first over time and is the most likely place for air duct leaks or weak points.

Another common sign to look out for is duct tape. Old homes often have duct tape patching old leaks. Although this is an effective temporary solution, it will likely give out eventually.

If you notice tape on your air duct, run your hand over it and see if you can feel air leaking out.

How to Test the Efficiency of Your Air Ducts

You can test for leaks by checking the efficiency of your AC ducts. To do this, shut off your HVAC unit blower. Next, open your window or door about two inches.

If you feel significant airflow coming in, it could signify that your home lacks proper indoor air pressure. This occurs when air ducts leak and fail to direct air correctly.

How to Protect Your Air Ducts and HVAC Systems

One of the best ways to protect your air ducts and HVAC unit is to schedule a professional inspection. The experts at Gladiator Services inspect every component of your HVAC unit and ductwork to ensure that your heating and cooling system continues to run at high efficiency. Routine maintenance inspections can also help you identify leaks or duct problems early and provide a quicker solution.

If our team notices a leak in your ducts, we don't patch it up with duct tape. Instead, we use a high-quality sealant to patch the hole and ensure that your ducts will continue to direct air properly for the long run.

The most important thing you can do for your air ducts and HVAC system is to call Gladiator Services as soon as you notice a problem. Excessive dust and uneven temperatures can seem like nothing more than an inconvenience; however, small holes in your duct can quickly turn into more significant problems that require more expensive solutions.

Inefficient ducts not only increase your utility bill but can lower the life expectancy of your HVAC system. Instead of waiting to pay for a new unit, let Gladiator Service provide a fast and effective solution.

An easy way to maintain high efficiency for your ducts is to schedule a regular duct cleaning. Contact us or read about appears to be an empty link with target https://www.gladiatorservicestoday.com/is-duct-cleaning-a-good-idea-5-reasons-why-it-is why duct cleaning is a good idea and how it can protect your home's indoor air quality.



We can help you learn how to check AC ducts for leaks and provide affordable and long-lasting solutions. Call Gladiator Services at (201) 571-1715 to schedule an inspection in Hillsdale, NJ.