How long does duct work last in attic?

Ducts are designed to last for about 10-15 years on average. They are made from a combination of materials such as fiberglass and plastic. At some point, these ducts will get damaged. The sooner you see signs of damage and do something about it, the better.
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How long does duct work last in a house?

Ductwork has a maximum lifespan of 20-25 years. By 15 years, however, it begins to deteriorate, significantly reducing your HVAC system's efficiency, so replacement is the prudent option.”
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Why is it not a good idea to run ductwork through attic spaces?

Running unprotected ductwork through an attic can court problems. Particularly in hot-humid climates, moisture can collect on the outside of ducts in summer. Encapsulating ducts in closed-cell foam or following code-prescribed methods for burying ducts in insulation can prevent the problem.
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How do you know if you need new duct work?

The best way to know if your air ducts need replaced is through a duct blower test. An HVAC technician will install pressure sensors in your home's air ducts, then use a blower fan to pressurize the ducts. An air flow sensor in the blower calculates how much air is required to maintain the pressure.
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Is it worth replacing ductwork?

Yes, and Here's Why. Ductwork is a vital component of your home's comfort, air quality, and energy consumption. You should replace old ductwork as soon as possible to maintain the performance of your HVAC.
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Do I have to replace my ductwork when I get a new air conditioning system?



How do I know if I have bad ductwork?

Rooms are difficult to heat or cool. Rooms seems stuffy and uncomfortable. Ductwork runs through basements, attics, crawlspaces, or garages. You notice tangled, loose, collapsed, or damaged ducts.
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How often should air ducts be cleaned?

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, homeowners should have their air ducts cleaned every three to five years, but the timing really depends on the region in which you live, how often you use your HVAC system and whether you have family members that have respiratory problems.
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How often should ducts be replaced?

Ducts are designed to last for about 10-15 years on average. They are made from a combination of materials such as fiberglass and plastic. At some point, these ducts will get damaged. The sooner you see signs of damage and do something about it, the better.
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When should ducts be replaced?

The ductwork in most homes lasts between 10 and 15 years before problems arise. If your ducts are more than 15 years old, have them replaced before major issues such as pests, gaps, or even collapsed sections of ducts appear.
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How long does it take to replace ductwork?

The average ductwork installation project takes about two or three days (about 8 to 10 hours per day), so you could expect to pay for about 30 hours of labor.
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Is it better to have duct work in the attic or crawl space?

AC ducting will work better in the attic as the colder air will enter the rooms and flow down. Hot air will rise into the returns. Where are you getting the info that crawl space is more efficient? Maybe less heat transfer into the ducts, but air flow will be worse.
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Is it bad to have HVAC in attic?

Con: Attic HVAC Units Are Potentially Inefficient

Attics are, for the most part, unconditioned, meaning a leak here could significantly reduce your home's overall efficiency. To avoid this, HVAC contractors must take care to properly seal and insulate ducts—something not all of them do to the same degree of precision.
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What is the disadvantage in having ducts in the ceiling?

Cons of ceiling vents

Inefficient air distribution for heating – If the unit is used year-round, some heated air will be lost due to heat transfer. Remember, heat rises, so if it starts at the ceiling, it has nowhere to go but up.
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Which type of duct system has the longest life expectancy?

Boilers have a much longer life expectancy than furnaces, ranging from 20 to 35 years. If the heat exchanger begins to leak, they are usually replaced. Heat pumps will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, based on how much they are used, but 15 years is the norm.
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Can I replace ductwork myself?

It is possible to install HVAC ductwork yourself, but it will require research and willingness to pay attention to detail. Be sure to educate yourself on the intricacies of the work so that you can be sure that you do not inhibit the airflow.
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Is flex duct better than hard duct?

Flex ducts are better for existing trunk-and-branch heating and cooling systems. This is because they're more versatile and flexible. Metal ducts are more rigid due to the nature of steel, making them ideal to build an entire HVAC system.
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Should you replace ductwork when replacing HVAC?

If you have a dustier-than-average home, your ductwork may need replacement. And if you see dust leaking out of the vents and onto the ceiling, that is a sure sign. New HVAC System: If you have to replace your HVAC unit, you may opt to go ahead and replace the ductwork as well.
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How long does flex duct last?

What is the functional lifespan of a flexible duct system? A search of industry articles, blogs, and chat rooms indicates it lasts from 10 to 25 years. Most flexible duct manufacturers warranty their products for about 10 years.
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Is duct cleaning a waste of money?

Because we believe it's a waste of money for our customers.

Here is what they concluded: "Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.
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Should you clean or replace your air ducts?

You should have your air ducts replaced when:

Your air ducts are heavily contaminated with dust, mold and other debris, or they're showing signs of severe damage. It can be quite difficult to efficiently clean ductwork that is that heavily soiled, and replacement may be your best option.
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Can dirty air ducts make you sick?

Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease

If your family is getting sick more than normal, experiencing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, runny noses, nasal congestion, headaches, and low-grade fevers, they may have upper respiratory infections as a result of dirty air ducts.
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How can I clean my ducts myself?

Steps for Cleaning Your Air Ducts
  1. Remove vent covers and wash them. Remove your vent covers with your screwdriver. ...
  2. Cover vent openings with paper towels. Cover the openings to your supply registers with a few paper towels. ...
  3. Loosen the dust. ...
  4. Vacuum it up. ...
  5. Change your air filter. ...
  6. Replace vent covers.
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Can I clean my own air ducts?

When it comes to the nitty gritty, cleaning air ducts is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, that you don't have lying around in the garage. In addition, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.
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