How to Avoid Condensation in Your Air Ducts

Spring is here, and so is the rain and moisture that it brings. As the humidity levels increase outside, they also increase dramatically inside your home. With our focus on the warmer air and sunshine, we almost always forget to think about how this affects our ventilation systems. The colder the air is inside the duct, the higher the chance of condensation forming within your air duct.

Have you noticed an increase in your heating and cooling bill? Are you having trouble regulating the humidity levels in your home? It could be from a leaky or improperly installed ventilation system.

What's at Risk?

Condensation in air ducts is most often caused by excess moisture in the air, dirty air filters, blocked ducts and poor insulation. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions homeowners can take to avoid condensation on ductwork:

  • Water damage. While small amounts of condensation aren’t a cause for concern, persistent ductwork condensation can cause water damage to your home in multiple ways. As many homeowners know, water damage is a complicated and costly problem to repair and one that can easily spread if not caught early enough.
  • Air leaks. Many homes have their ductwork sealed with lesser-quality materials like duct tape. Moisture, along with changes in temperature, can cause the duct tape to lose its adhesiveness over time. When this happens, the duct tape begins to come free, causing air leaks in your ductwork. As the air leaks out, more moisture comes in contact with the duct tape, causing the leak to grow. Having leaks like this in your ventilation system invites more problems that can eventually affect your energy bill, the structural safety of your home, and the quality of the air you breathe.
  • Decreased efficiency. The average home can lose up to 40% of its conditioned air as it passes through its ducts due to improper installation and sealing. Leaking ductwork means your HVAC system has to work overtime to properly heat or cool your home. Eventually, this will cause faster wear and tear on your system leading to premature failure or costly repairs.
  • Mold and pests. The moisture being pulled into your ductwork can be forced into your home’s environment, creating even more problems. Having moisture in our home is important to our health, but having too much of it can have adverse effects. High humidity can help the microorganisms that cause allergies and asthma to thrive. Bugs, dust mites and mold also love humid conditions. Keeping the relative humidity levels in your home below 60% has proven to reduce these issues.
  • Corrosion. Excess moisture can also damage your electronics. It can corrode contacts and lower insulation resistance causing short circuits from condensation buildup.
  • Health hazards. If the sealing on the ductwork in your attic begins to fail, it can draw in contaminants like dust and insulation. Once these pollutants are in your ventilation system, they are pushed into your living spaces, where you are constantly breathing them in. This can eventually cause serious health issues.

Tips to Prevent Condensation in Air Ducts

Condensation in air ducts is most often caused by excess moisture in the air, dirty air filters, blocked ducts and poor insulation. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions homeowners can take to prevent condensation on ductwork:

  • Wrap your ductwork with proper insulation.
  • Reduce humidity levels with a dehumidifier.
  • Have your air ducts cleaned regularly.
  • Unblock any ducts that are restricting airflow.
  • Change your air filters regularly and keep them clean in-between changes.
  • If you find any leaks, repair them immediately or call a local HVAC professional.

While these tips can save you from many issues that stem from humid spring air, there are times when leaky air ducts require a professional fix. The HVAC experts of Bradley Mechanical will make sure the ductwork in your home is properly sealed. We use the highest quality products like mastic, a strong resin-based bonding agent, to seal the joints, connections, and taps of your ductwork.

Our professional work will maintain its seal and help reduce the risks of future leaks. Our technicians will also test the duct work to make sure all leaks have been sealed and your system is working efficiently once again.

For over 50 years, we’ve provided HVAC and ventilation repairs, maintenance, and installation to our local community. Give Bradley Mechanical a call if you’re concerned about your ductwork or want to be prepared for the warmer months to come.

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