With the right duct sealing, homeowners can save an average of 20% on their energy costs. Not only that, but it can also help extend the longevity of air conditioning systems and protect your home from harmful gases. But is duct sealing worth the cost? In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the advantages of duct sealing and how to know for sure if you need it. According to EnergyStar, leaking ducts can reduce the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system by up to 20%.
This means that if you have leaking ducts, you'll experience higher monthly energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system. Sealing the ducts will ensure that the air conditioner reaches your home as it should, rather than escaping into the attic. Dust, insulation particles, and other debris from the attic can enter your home if the ducts leak. These particles can aggravate allergies and cause other health problems.
In addition, leaks in the ducts can cause a problem called recoil. Reverse current is when flue gases from appliances (such as a water heater, clothes dryer, or oven) return to the house, instead of being released outside as they normally would. Inhaling these flue gases is dangerous and could cause serious health problems. Sealing ducts prevents debris from entering your home and minimizes the risk of backward drafts. EnergyStar estimates that the average home loses 20 to 30% of the air that moves through the duct system due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.
If you notice those signs, the best way to know for sure if you need to seal the ducts is to have them inspected by a trusted professional. A certified HVAC professional will have the tools and equipment needed to detect leaks and determine their exact location. We'll always start by inspecting your ducts to find where the leaks are. We'll show you visual proof that your ducts are leaking and then provide you with an initial estimate of the cost of sealing them. When you hire George Brazil to seal your ducts, you can count on excellent customer service and rest assured that the job will be done right the first time. The Department of Energy agrees that, if done properly, duct sealing can be very beneficial for homes with leaking ducts.
No matter what you do with it, the savings you get from having an efficient, well-sealed air duct system will make you smile. Sealing air ducts is a small but significant step in reducing energy consumption and being in control of your own energy needs. It is a surefire way to reduce your monthly energy bill and increase your home's energy efficiency. Whether you choose to do the inspection and air sealing yourself or hire a professional, the energy savings will far outweigh the initial costs of the project. When air ducts are poorly sealed, vapors from cleaning chemicals, garden chemicals, dust, insulating particles, and other contaminants from outside can seep into the duct system through leaking seals. Many people don't even think about resealing their air ducts, overlooking an important aspect of what makes a high-functioning HVAC system worth the trouble. If your air ducts are not properly sealed, you run the risk of these harmful gases reaching your home through “contrary air currents”, rather than being safely eliminated.
Sealing the air ducts with adhesive tape or with a sealant product that can be painted, such as Mastic, prevents the air conditioner from escaping, allowing it to work more efficiently. Probably one of the most costly consequences of poorly sealed air ducts is damage that can be caused to your home as a whole. Air ducts are routes through which air passes from mechanical devices such as heating or air conditioning to other parts of your house. However, in a typical home about 20-30% of this air is lost due to leaks, holes or poorly connected ducts. Sealing your air ducts and keeping your home's energy consumption even will help make your bills more predictable over time. Start by sealing air leaks with putty sealant or metallic tape and isolate any accessible ducts (such as those in attics, mezzanines, unfinished basements or garages).Do you want your air ducts inspected or sealed by a trusted Phoenix professional? George Brazil Air Conditioning and Heating provides 26% heating and cooling services in Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona alone.
Learn more about what to expect when hiring us by reading about our unique red carpet treatment and checking out our duct sealing services page.
