Signs You May Need Full Duct Replacement

Replacement makes more sense than repair in some situations than others. These are the ones we see most often.

  • The ductwork is original to a home built before the mid-1990s. Sizing standards and materials have changed. Older systems often weren’t sized to match the equipment running through them now.
  • Multiple sections are failing at the same time. When the flex duct is failing in three places this year, it’s usually failing in five more places next year. At that point you’re patching indefinitely.
  • Leakage testing shows losses above 20% of system airflow. That means one in five dollars of your cooling bill is going into your attic. Replacement pays for itself faster than most people expect.
  • The home has been remodeled but the ductwork wasn’t updated. Room additions, converted garages, and closed-in patios change the load without changing the duct layout. The system was never rebalanced for what the home became.
  • Flex duct has turned brittle or stiff throughout the attic. This happens faster in Las Vegas than in most markets. Once the outer jacket starts cracking and the inner liner collapses under its own weight, the duct system is done.
  • The existing ductwork was improperly installed. Too many sharp bends, undersized trunk lines, or return systems that were never adequate to begin with. These problems don’t get better with age.
  • You’re replacing the HVAC equipment. New equipment has different airflow requirements. Running a new unit through old ducts that weren’t sized for it means the equipment will underperform from day one.