Signs of a duct or airflow problem
- Upstairs is several degrees warmer than downstairs
- One or two rooms never cool, no matter the thermostat setting
- Weak airflow from some vents
- Dusty house even with regular filter changes
- Whistling vents or doors that slam when the AC kicks on
Why it's common in Kingwood homes
Many homes in Kingwood and Humble have ductwork running through attics that easily top 130 degrees in summer. Older flex duct sags, kinks, separates at joints and loses insulation over time. Leaks in the attic pull hot, dusty air in, or dump cooled air where it does no good. Homes with a single return or undersized returns also starve the system of air.
What a contractor can do
- Duct inspection and leak testing to find disconnected or crushed sections
- Sealing joints with mastic and replacing failed duct runs
- Adding or enlarging returns so the system can breathe
- Balancing dampers to send more air where it's needed
- Zoning, or a separate system, for large two-story homes
What you can check
Make sure every supply and return vent is open and unblocked, and that the filter is clean. If you can safely access the attic, look for ducts lying crushed, disconnected or uninsulated.
Duct problems are worth fixing before or during an AC replacement, since a new system can't perform on bad ducts. Learn more about AC maintenance or why your AC isn't cooling.