Why it matters to you
In many Greater Houston homes the ducts run through an attic that gets far hotter than outdoor air in summer, so a leaky supply duct loses cooling before it reaches the room and a leaky return can pull hot, humid attic air into the system. In the City of Houston, where the median home dates to the early 1980s, many systems still run on original ductwork.
Practical guidance
Homeowners can safely make sure registers aren't blocked and, in an accessible attic while walking only on framing or decking, look for visibly disconnected or crushed flex duct. Duct leakage testing, sealing with mastic or listed tape, and resizing runs are jobs for a licensed HVAC technician.