Are you one of the many American homeowners who have been bombarded with advertisements for duct repair and sealing services? If so, you may be wondering if duct sealing is really the answer to any existing issues with your HVAC system. The answer is yes, but it's important to understand why. Sealing air leaks can improve energy efficiency, heating and cooling, and help make your home more comfortable. When air escapes from the ducts, the HVAC system has to work harder to heat or cool the house. To start, seal any air leaks with putty or metal tape and insulate any accessible ducts (such as those in attics, mezzanines, unfinished basements and garages).Poorly sealed air ducts are one of the most common causes of an air conditioning system breakdown.
Supply ducts bring air conditioning to the house, while return ducts draw air from inside the house and return it to the HVAC system.
Duct sealing
is best thought of as an interim measure. Sealing air ducts without considering other ventilation gaps in your home is like leaving most windows open and then wondering why wasps keep flying into your house. A well-designed and properly sealed ducting system can make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and safe. The cost of sealing the air ducts will depend on the amount of work involved.Although it may seem expensive at first, it's nothing compared to what you would spend if the air ducts remained unsealed. It's important to remember that air contaminants should be treated as hazardous, and sealing your ducts is the first step in preventing poor indoor air quality. Ducts are only one section of the house, so sealing them without addressing other air gaps in the house is like leaving most windows open and then wondering why wasps keep flying into the house. In the long run, sealing your air ducts will help keep your home energy efficient, save you money and provide many other benefits.
