Most homes in central Pennsylvania, like much of the rest of the US, rely on forced-air ducted HVAC systems for heating and cooling. That’s because centralized ducted systems offer efficient operation and relatively low operating costs. However, there are a few common issues such systems suffer from time to time. One of them is a tendency to allow the formation of condensation on ductwork around your home. The good news is that there are a variety of ways to fix that problem. Here are five solutions to condensation buildup on your home’s ductwork.
1. Install a Dehumidifier
One of the reasons that condensation might form on your home’s ductwork is that there’s simply too much moisture in your home’s air for your HVAC to remove. When that happens, the warm, moist air inside your home will create condensation when it comes in contact with the cold metal ductwork. So, lowering your home’s humidity is a great way to prevent that from happening.
You can accomplish this by buying a portable dehumidifier and using it in the areas of your home that suffer from condensation buildup. If the problem isn’t widespread, this is probably your most cost-effective option. If your condensation problem includes multiple parts of your home, however, you may need a whole-house dehumidifier. It will work with your HVAC system to remove humidity from your home, keeping it between 30% and 50% relative humidity at all times.
2. Upgrade Your Attic Insulation
Upgrading the insulation in your home’s attic is another excellent way to reduce indoor humidity to deal with ductwork condensation. It does this by helping to keep the outside air from entering your home through the attic. It’s especially effective when combined with air sealing. This refers to the process of finding and filling any gaps between your attic and the conditioned spaces inside your home. Together the air sealing and additional insulation create a sealed air envelope inside your home, so your HVAC has less humidity to deal with.
3. Add Insulation to Your Ducts
Since warm, moist air making contact with the cold metal of your home’s ductwork leads to condensation buildup, insulating your ducts is another option. By wrapping the exposed parts of your home’s ductwork with insulation, you will prevent air from reaching them. Plus, you’ll also improve your HVAC’s performance by preventing energy loss as your conditioned air travels throughout your home.
4. Open Vents and Remove Obstructions
Condensation on your ductwork can also result from airflow problems. This can happen when you close too many of your home’s air registers or block them with furniture. So, if you’re experiencing ductwork condensation, try opening up and unblocking all of your home’s vents. It may eliminate your problem.
You may also have airflow problems if your home’s ductwork is excessively dirty. Experts suggest that all homes with forced-air HVAC have their ductwork cleaned every three to five years. So, if you haven’t done it recently, duct cleaning could be the solution to your condensation problems.
5. Clean Your HVAC Evaporator Coil
If your home suddenly develops a condensation problem on its ductwork, it could also point to a problem with your home’s HVAC. One issue that can lead to this is a dirty evaporator coil. Your evaporator coil is the part of your HVAC that absorbs heat from your home’s air to cool the residence . As it does this, it also extracts moisture in the form of condensation and removes it from your home.
If your evaporator coil gets too dirty, though, it won’t remove as much moisture or cool your home as effectively. This can lead to excess humidity in your home and condensation on your ductwork. In that case, having your evaporator coil professionally cleaned should solve your problem. Plus, it will improve your HVAC efficiency and save you money on operating costs.
Your Local HVAC Experts
Since 1914, HB Home Service Team has offered quality HVAC services, including installation, repair, and maintenance to residents of Harrisburg and clients throughout central Pennsylvania. We also offer comprehensive plumbing, oil, and propane services, too. Since we’re an employee-owned company, you’ll always know that dealing with any of our representatives means you’re dealing with someone who cares deeply about their work and your satisfaction. If your home has ductwork condensation issues or any other HVAC problem, contact the experts at HB Home Service Team today!
