If your home has a forced-air heating or cooling system, your ducts distribute conditioned air throughout your house. In the average home, around 20% to 30% of the air that circulates throughout ducts is lost due to poorly connected ducts or leaks and holes within the ductwork. If your ducts aren’t functioning properly, the result could be a spike in energy bills. You might find it difficult to keep your home comfortable, too.
Common signs of poorly functioning ducts include:
- High year-round energy bills
- Indoor areas that are difficult to heat or cool
- Rooms that feel stuffy or uncomfortable
How Do Ducts Develop Problems?
In most cases, ducts can become unsealed either due to improper installation in the first place or because of natural problems that develop over time. If the issues are because of faulty installation, the installation company might have rushed the project or the employees might not have been properly trained.
Most of the time, duct problems happen naturally due to prolonged use. Connections between your ducts can loosen, or an object that’s come into contact with your ducts can cause punctures or disconnections between the joints. No matter the cause of your duct issue, the only way to prevent air from escaping is to have them properly sealed.
What Is Duct Sealing?
As mentioned above, your ducts play an important role in your home’s comfort and efficiency level. Unfortunately, a well-designed and properly sealed duct system can’t be achieved by simply placing duct tape on loose joints or punctures.
Efficient duct sealing requires the help of a trained professional who knows how to thoroughly inspect your ductwork. The inspection process will reveal both hard-to-find and obvious problems that need to be addressed. After identifying any loose joints, holes, or punctures, a professional will seal up these areas with the right materials and tools. This will ensure that air remains inside your ducts where it belongs.
Benefits of Having Your Ducts Sealed
There are several benefits of having your ducts sealed by a professional company. These benefits include:
- Increased comfort
- Reduced energy bills
- Improved safety
- Better indoor air quality
One of the biggest perks is the increased comfort you’ll enjoy. Instead of putting up with rooms that are always too hot, too cold, or overly stuffy, a properly functioning duct system will distribute air evenly throughout your home. The result will be that inconsistent heating or cooling will no longer be a problem.
By having your ducts professionally sealed, you could reduce up to 40 percent of your energy bills. Poorly functioning ducts use more energy than you might realize. When your air ducts are sealed as they should be, you’ll have better control over the energy consumption your home produces and ultimately better control over how much you pay to your electric company.
Another definite perk of professional duct sealing is improved safety. The appliances you use on a regular basis such as the furnace, water heater, and dryer may be releasing combustion gases through their ventilation systems. Among the most harmful gas that could be released is carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and deadly substance. The risk of your ducts allowing back-drafting of combustion gases into your home is reduced when your ducts are sealed air-tight.
Leaky ducts pick up and distribute polluted air from both your heating and cooling unit and other pollutants like mildew, mold, dust, pollen, and exhaust fumes. Leaks in your duct system are problematic because of the air that escapes but also because of bad air that can get into your ducts. Sealing up your duct system can reduce this issue and help keep your indoor air quality cleaner.
Schedule Duct Cleaning Service Today
Now that you have a better understanding of what duct sealing is and why you might need it, feel free to contact the experts at Totally Cool Heating & Air in Austin today to schedule a duct cleaning appointment. Our talented team will thoroughly inspect your duct system for sources of air loss and work to create a restoration plan specific to your HVAC needs. We strive for timely service that exceeds our customers’ expectations.
We’re passionate about ensuring top-quality heating and cooling services, including repair, installation, and maintenance services. Our friendly team also specializes in weatherization, ductless mini-split, hybrid heat, indoor air quality, environmental assessment, and commercial HVAC services.
