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Yes. Your air supply should be balanced. The return and supply ducts need to maintain that balance, and this only occurs because an equal amount of air should be entering and leaving your HVAC system. Changes in pressure, extreme weather, and blocking vents with furniture or your stuff can make the air supply unbalanced and cause your home to get too cold or hot.

The average life span of an HVAC system is 15 to 20 years. Even if your old air conditioner is still functional, it isn't as energy-efficient as a newer system (especially one with an Energy Star designation). Older HVAC systems aren't as efficient, and the 10-year mark is when you should start making full system replacement plans. Twenty years in, that plan should be well underway rather than waiting for the unit to die.

When first installed, flex ducts shouldn’t cause airflow problems in your home. However, because flex ducts aren’t the sturdiest and require extra support, they lose their durability over time and begin to sag, which can inhibit airflow down the road. Also, if your flex ducts aren’t tight enough, your HVAC could work twice as hard for the same air pressure. If you’re worried about the airflow in your home, a rigid duct may be your best bet.

The higher the BTU rating an air conditioner has, the more effective it can be at cooling your space. It will cool off your room faster in the short term. However, over the long term, if the unit has too many BTUs for the space, it can wear down the unit faster and shorten its life span.