Duct System
Lee’s Summit, MO, has a reputation for fierce extremes in weather, from blistering hot and humid summers to December snow storms. Olympia homeowners are no strangers to season changes, but many do not think of how these different temperatures can affect their duct system in the home. That makes it essential to know how they affect the performance of your heating and cooling systems, keeping you comfortable indoors while protecting against significant breakdowns.
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Seasonal Temperature Extremes
Summer Heat
Summers in Lee’s Summits the summer kicks off, temperatures reach into the 90s or beyond during these hot, humid months of June. The hotter it is, the harder your air conditioning system works. As the air conditioner is working harder, you also need to ensure that your ductwork can handle increased airflow demands. Aside from making things much less comfortable for us, this inefficiency can also cost you more energy bills.
Winter Cold
On the other hand, winters in Lee’s Summit are cold and typically below freezing. As ducts age, the cold can cause them—especially those in unconditioned spaces like attics or crawlspaces—to become brittle or manifest condensation problems. Cold ducts will reduce how well heat is distributed and increase energy usage. The air from the vents will quickly lose heat if your home’s insulating system is faulty, making you run them harder and have higher energy bills.
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Humidity and Its Effects
High Humidity
You need to understand that the sultry summers in Duct cleaning Lee’s Summit can strain ductwork immensely. If moisture gets in ducts, particularly metal ones, it can cause them to rust. If your system has moisture problems, or if it is rusting away internally, that can cause water leaks as well as poor air quality from sucking in and delivering mould spores, etc. On the topic of high humidity, humidification causes condensation to form on ducts, which can lead to water damage and a downturn in efficiency.
Low Humidity
The ducts can dry out and become brittle in the winter with low humidity, causing them to crack or break. If you have too little insulation in the crawlspace, then it is possible that air escapes your home or read into the heating system. On top of all that, dry air can cause you to feel less comfortable in your own home and, as a result, may tempt you into adjusting the thermostat, which places even more wear and tear on your valuable system.
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Weather-Related Wear and Tear
Storms and Wind
Air Duct Cleaning Lees Summit frequently experiences severe weather conditions, including lightning and thunderstorms. If left untreated, these conditions can damage your physical home on the outside to potential harm inflicted upon the duct system. For example, strong winds might knock around vent covers and expose your ducts to debris or small animals. On top of that, storm damage can put your ductwork at risk, resulting in leaks and an overall more inefficient system.
Temperature Fluctuations
This exchange happens constantly in transitional seasons like spring and fall, possibly leading to ductwork expanding and contracting regularly. Repeated shifting can create loose connections, unaligned ducts and air leaks that cause your HVAC system to be inefficient. Fortunately, good sealing/insulation of your ducts can work to alleviate these types of problems.
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Lee’s Summit Residents Maintenance Tips
It would help if you withstood Lee’s Summit weather conditions so it always works efficiently year-round. However, you can take some simple steps about the same to keep them in good condition for longer.
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Regular Inspections
Have a professional HVAC technician inspect your heating system annually. They may look for leaks, determine whether the property has proper insulation, and deal with any issues before they become significant problems. Spotting problems early on, such as corrosion or flimsiness, will save you money in the long run.
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Insulation
If it runs through unconditioned spaces, confirm that your ductwork is well-insulated. Insulation allows the air in your ducts to maintain its temperature, increasing efficiency and comfort.
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Clean and Seal Ducts
If your ducts are cleaned routinely (twice a year, for example), there should be less dust and fewer allergens in the home. Also, ensure all the connections are properly sealed to avoid air escapes.
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Address Humidity Issues
Use a dehumidifier during the summer months to control indoor humidity levels, lowering your chances of mould and moist corrosion. A humidifier can help keep ducts moist and provide general comfort for winter.
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Check for Damage
Following significant weather events, an inspection should be made to the home for signs of duct system damage, i.e., detached vent covers or anything different with visible defects in your air distribution pathways. To avoid additional difficulties, take immediate steps to address those damages.
Conclusion
The varying weather conditions in Lee’s Summit can significantly affect your duct system, affecting efficiency and comfort levels and the cost of energy bills. Knowing these effects and regular maintenance practices allows you to maintain a well-operating duct system year-long. Being proactive with inspections, insulation, and humidity control will prolong the helpful life of your ductwork AND improve your indoor air quality!