Duct sealing is a vital – and often overlooked – factor in ensuring that your HVAC system is operating at optimum efficiency. If your ducts are leaking, you could be spending as much as 30 percent more on your energy bills than otherwise.
If you’ve noticed rooms or spaces that are too hot in summer or too cold in winter, the problem may be lea
ky ducts. In addition, leaks and poor connections may be allowing harmful particles, such as flakes of insulation and mold spores, to enter the system; they can then be introduced into your living space. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following steps for proper duct sealing:
Inspect the whole system. Ducting can be routed through the attic above your living space and the crawlspace or basement beneath, sometimes even through the garage. A proper assessment requires inspecting all the ductwork, not just easy-to-access sections.
Return air balance. Proper function requires that the installation’s air return ducts be adequately sized to match the supply system. Older systems often have return ducts that are too small or too few.
Maintenance and repair. Leaks in ducts and disconnected joints must be sealed and tightened. Tangled or crushed sections should be straighten or replaced. Leaks in ducting runs and at connections must be sealed with mastic, metal tape or aerosol-based sealants. All registers and grilles must be tightly sealed to the ducts.
Insulation. Ducts that pass through unconditioned areas will experience heat gain in the summer months. This forces your A/C to work harder than it should to satisfy your desired temperature.
The technicians at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company are experts in all these facets of air circulation in your Yuma area home. We can evaluate the need for duct sealing throughout your HVAC system and repair where needed. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation or service.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about duct sealing and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hansberger Refrigeration & Electric Co services the Yuma area in Arizona. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
