Air & Duct Sealing
Air leakage can be a very costly problem for air conditioned homes, especially in humid climates. The most severe air-leakage problems occur in the duct work in the attic.
If replacing the existing duct system is not an option, you can reduce your home's heating and cooling costs through air sealing techniques. These techniques also make your home more comfortable. Any air sealing efforts will complement your insulation efforts, and vice versa. Proper moisture control and ventilation strategies will improve the effectiveness of air sealing and insulation, and vice versa. In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house.
If the ducts are leaking, or return air flow is restricted, rooms may have high positive or negative pressures. Sometimes these pressures are large enough to double or triple the building shell's air leakage, compared to when the system blower is off. In a typical house, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.
Air leakage or infiltration occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. Properly sealing cracks and openings in your home significantly reduces heating and cooling costs, improves building durability, and creates a healthier indoor environment.
Air infiltration also contributes to problems with moisture control. Moldy and dusty air enters a leaky house through attics or foundations. This air in the house could cause health problems. The recommended strategy in both new and old homes is to reduce air leakage as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed.
How do you know that your home has poorly performing ducts?
- high summer and winter utility bills
- rooms that are difficult to heat and cool
- stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
- tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system
Note that air sealing alone can't replace the need for proper insulation throughout your home, which is needed to reduce heat flow.
If you are thinking about reducing your energy costs by professionally sealing your air ducts or if you are interested in a Home Energy Audit, we can help you by providing straightforward information so that you can make an educated decision. Please fill out the Free In-Home Consultation Form and we will be in touch to show you how you can GoEnergySmart.