Most homeowners do not think about air conditioning ducts until there is a problem. Problematic air ducts typically require a major repair. If you notice that the air in your home is not as cold as it should be when the air conditioner is running, it means the air is not running efficiently through the house. There could be some things that you can look out for to prevent an air conditioner outage:

Higher Electricity Bills

One indicator of an air duct issue is a higher than normal electricity bill. When there does not seem to be a mechanical problem, all issues may point to the air ducts. They could be damaged or clogged. When either situation occurs, it means the system will work as hard as possible to pump air through the obstacles to get into the home. the extra work increases the energy needed to make the system work, which means higher electricity bills.

Animal Damage

The location of air ducts makes them a prime spot for animals. Animals, including mice, raccoons, possums, and the like can make a nest in the ductwork, as the temperatures and atmosphere are ideal. The animals chew through the air ducts to make a home, leaving behind large holes and major damage. The holes allow the tempered air to get outside of the ducts, which means less cold air inside your house.

Dust and Debris Buildup

If you think you could have a problem with your air ducts, check the air vents in your home. If there is a noticeable buildup of dust and debris, chances are there is a problem with the ductwork. The duct may have a clog or a buildup of debris inside. This prevents the duct from doing its job, but also causes contaminates to enter your home. If anyone in your household deals with respiratory problems, the extra buildup of dust and debris can exacerbate the problem.

The extra dust and debris will flow throughout the house. If any of you start to sneeze or suffer from respiratory attacks, it means you may need to call your air conditioner contractor to determine what the problem may be. Air from the ductwork will cycle throughout your home during the day. If there is contaminates built up in the ducts, the only air that circulates is unclean, dusty air. This leaves you all breathing poor quality air until you have the problem repaired.

If you have a concern about your air ducts, you need to call your air conditioning contractor right away.