For a long time, I ignored the importance of the duct system.
I have always been conscientious about taking very good care of the furnace and air conditioner.
I change the air filters every month and scheduled professional maintenance every year. I’d had my heating and cooling system for over five years before an HVAC contractor finally mentioned testing the ductwork. He pointed out that while the furnace and air conditioner share the workload, the ducts are handling both heated and cooled air. The breathing air of the home travels through that network of pipes multiple times her day. The contractor performed testing and figured out that the system was dirty and leaking. He estimated that approximately 20% of the heated/cooled air was escaping due to leaks at the seams. There was also a significant buildup of dust, pollen and mold. Whenever the furnace or air conditioner started up, those contaminants were becoming airborne and getting spread to every room in the house. My family was breathing them in and at risk of health problems. Our comfort was suffering from the separations at the seams of the ducts. I was definitely paying higher than necessary energy bills. There was greater wear and tear on the furnace and air conditioner. The contractor completed duct cleaning, sealing and overall maintenance. I immediately noticed the improvement. The living area required less dusting and vacuuming, smelled better and we enjoyed more consistent temperatures. I now make sure to request duct inspection every year. By keeping the entirety of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems working at its best, I have peace of mind.