What We Check During Your Annual Ductwork Inspection

I’m Trevon, and after four generations in HVAC, I can tell you that ductwork is often the weak link in your heating and cooling system. We see plenty of problems in duct systems around Rochester and Monroe County that quietly waste energy and make your furnace or heat pump work harder than it should.

Why Ductwork Matters in Rochester-Area Homes?

Most of the homes we work on around here have duct runs in less-than-ideal places. Finished basements, unconditioned attics, or tight crawl spaces often mean ductwork is vulnerable to damage, poor sealing, or missing insulation. When ducts leak or are crushed, even a high-efficiency furnace or geothermal system loses a big chunk of output before the air reaches your living spaces.

From what we’ve seen, duct leakage can easily cause 20-30% of heated or cooled air to escape, meaning your system works overtime just to keep your home comfortable through Rochester’s cold winters or humid summers.

The Key Things We Inspect in Your Ductwork

• Disconnected return drops – sometimes ducts just pull apart or get disconnected, especially in older homes or during renovations.
• Crushed or kinked flexible duct – flex duct in finished basements or crawlspaces can get crushed behind walls or furniture, choking airflow.
• Missing or inadequate insulation on ducts running through unconditioned attics or crawl spaces — this can cause heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
• How well duct boots and connections are sealed – leaky boots at registers or returns are a common source of air loss.
• Signs of mouse or rodent activity – mice like to nest in ducts, especially in older homes around Monroe County, which can cause damage and compromise airflow.

Our inspection is thorough because these issues don’t always show obvious symptoms until your energy bills spike or certain rooms stay uncomfortably cold or hot.

How We Fit Duct Inspections Into Your Annual Maintenance

When you sign up for our annual maintenance plan, a comprehensive duct inspection is included along with the usual heating and cooling system tune-up. That way, we catch and fix problems early before they lead to bigger repairs or system inefficiencies.

Regular duct inspections are especially important if your home has an older furnace or has had recent remodeling work that might have affected the duct runs. We hold the relevant certifications and know what to look for in Monroe County’s typical housing stock.

If you want to learn more about how we handle ductwork issues or schedule your inspection, you can contact us or call (585) 368-8685 to request an estimate or service visit.