Bay Air Heating & Cooling

Ductwork & insulation

Duct replacement in San Francisco & Marin

When ducts are torn, crushed, contaminated or simply worn out, patching them rarely fixes the problem for long.

Technician fitting a new insulated duct to a sheet-metal collar in a bright attic

Duct Replacement in San Francisco and Marin

New, sealed ductwork restores airflow to every room and lets your heating and cooling do their job.

Signs your ducts need replacing

  • Rooms that never warm up or cool down, even with the system running
  • Dust or debris blowing from the vents soon after a cleaning
  • Musty or rotten smells when the system runs, often a sign of moisture or pests in the ducts
  • Crushed, torn, sagging or disconnected ducts in the attic or crawl space
  • Very old duct wrap or tape in an older home, which should be tested for asbestos before any work

What duct replacement includes

  1. An inspection of the ducts and an airflow check at the registers
  2. Careful removal of the damaged or contaminated ductwork
  3. New sheet-metal or insulated flexible duct, sized for your system
  4. Every joint sealed with mastic, and ducts in the attic or crawl space insulated
  5. A final airflow test at every register before we leave

Metal or flexible duct?

Both have a place. Rigid sheet metal lasts the longest and moves air most efficiently, so it suits main trunk lines. Insulated flexible duct works well for short runs to individual rooms when it is installed straight and properly supported. We use what suits your house, and our guide to metal vs. flexible ductwork explains the difference.

Replacing ducts with a new system

If you are replacing a furnace or air conditioner, or switching to a heat pump, it is the best time to look at the ducts too. New equipment on old, leaky ducts never performs the way it should.

Questions

Good to know

Do I need to replace all of my ducts?

Not always. Sometimes only a damaged section or a few runs need replacing. We inspect first and tell you what actually needs to go.

How long do ducts last?

Well-installed metal ducts can last for decades. Flexible duct and duct wrap in hot attics wear out sooner, and any duct that has been crushed, torn or contaminated should be replaced.

Will new ducts lower my energy bills?

Leaky ducts waste heated and cooled air, so sealed, insulated ducts usually let your system run less to keep you comfortable.

Can you replace ducts after a rodent problem?

Yes. Ducts contaminated by rodents or pests should come out, and new sealed ducts go in once the area is cleaned up.

Kind words

From our clients

“Bay Air Heating & Cooling came out, inspected the system, and found dead mice in the ductwork. They showed us what was going on, explained our options, and we ultimately decided to replace the ducting. The replacement work went smoothly, and the smell was completely gone.”

Sean B.

“They replaced my old system with a new Carrier high-efficiency furnace and also redid the ductwork that needed attention. My house is over 100 years old so I wanted to know it had all the modern functionality and efficiency.”

Zach A.

“They went above and beyond in installing a new air filtration system and thoroughly cleaned my ducts, removing years of dust, fur, and even a hidden mold build-up that had clearly been aggravating my symptoms.”

Kristen D.

5.0 on Google (30 reviews) 5.0 on Yelp

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