Most Tampa homeowners don't think about their ductwork until something goes wrong. Here are 6 warning signs that your ducts may need replacing — and what to do about it.
Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing
If your electricity bills are rising without explanation, leaky or deteriorating ductwork could be the cause. The average home loses 20-30% of conditioned air through duct leaks — your AC works overtime to compensate, driving up costs.
Uneven Temperatures Room to Room
Walking from a freezing living room to a stuffy bedroom is a classic sign of duct problems. When ducts are leaking, kinked, or improperly designed, conditioned air never reaches certain rooms effectively.
Excessive Dust Around Vents
Some dust is normal, but heavy buildup around your vents suggests your ductwork is pulling in dirty air from attics, crawlspaces, or walls. This is both an air quality issue and a sign of duct deterioration.
Musty or Stale Smells
Persistent musty odors when your AC runs often indicate mold or mildew growth inside your ductwork — especially common in Tampa's humidity. Once mold establishes in ducts, cleaning rarely solves it permanently.
Loud Banging, Rattling, or Whistling
Some noise is normal, but loud banging, clanging, or whistling points to loose duct sections, pressure imbalances, or collapsed ductwork. These sounds tend to worsen over time.
Your Ductwork Is Over 15 Years Old
Most ductwork has a lifespan of 10-15 years. Older ducts — especially fiberboard or flex duct — degrade significantly in Tampa's heat and humidity. If yours is approaching or past that mark, a professional inspection makes sense.
What to Do Next
If you're seeing two or more of these signs, call Protek. We'll inspect your ductwork, identify the problem, and give you a clear, honest recommendation — repair or replace.
Protek HVAC Team
Tampa Bay HVAC Experts Since 2019
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