Whether you upgrade to a high-efficiency heating and cooling system or invest in preventive maintenance to keep your older system running efficiently, it's important to seal your ductwork if you want to get the most from your HVAC equipment and maximize home comfort. Air lost through leaky ducts forces your heating and cooling system to work harder and may cause some rooms in your home to be uncomfortable. Fortunately, you can affordably seal your ductwork and achieve meaningful energy savings.
Did you know that up to 20 percent of the air that flows through your ductwork may be leaking into the unconditioned spaces in your home? That's heated or cooled air that will never reach your living areas, possibly making it difficult to achieve ideal temperatures in certain rooms. Follow these tips to seal your ductwork and make your home more comfortable:
- Start with the exposed ducts. You may not be able to easily reach the ducts behind walls or in the ceiling, but you can access those in the basement, attic, crawl space or garage. Don't forget to check the connections at the air supply and return vents; these are common sources of air leaks.
- Use the right materials. The proper sealant for ducts is called mastic. You can find it at most hardware stores, but do not ask for duct tape; it doesn't seal as well, and it won't last as long. Flexible ductwork may need to be replaced if it's torn or punctured. You should also check to make sure it has no kinks or blockages.
- Insulate exposed ducts. If you have ductwork in an unconditioned space like the garage or a crawl space, adding insulation can result in lower monthly bills, especially during the seasons with extreme hot or cold temperatures.
If you want to learn more about making your home-comfort system more energy efficient, contact the experts at Hartman Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning. We'll help you identify potential energy savings so you can cut monthly costs while improving home comfort at the same time. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your Fort Wayne area home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about sealing your ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hartman Brothers services New Haven, IN and the surrounding Fort Wayne area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!