Ross and Witmer When you turn on your air conditioner, you expect cool air to flow from the supply registers in your floors, walls or ceilings. If your cooling system’s ductwork is leaking or damaged, however, the amount of cooling that reaches your indoor spaces will be severely limited. Duct sealing stops air and energy leaks from the ductwork that impair A/C performance, reduce home comfort and drive your energy bills up unnecessarily.
The ductwork in your home is responsible for directing cooled air from your air conditioner or heat pump to your indoor areas. Leaks, gaps or other problems in this air distribution network can account for the loss of 20 percent or more of the conditioned air and energy moving through it. In the worst cases, ducts with missing or severely damaged sections can lose almost all of the cool air coming from your HVAC system.
Duct sealing will stop the excessive waste of air and energy that occurs in a leaky duct network. By sealing, repairing and insulating the ductwork, you’ll ensure that more cool air reaches your indoor areas. This will improve comfort levels, reduce wear on your HVAC equipment and provide the best possible level of A/C efficiency and monetary savings.
You can seal the ductwork yourself or hire your local trusted HVAC contractor to do the job. In general, a duct sealing project should include:
- An inspection of the entire length of the duct system to ensure all sections fit together tightly and that all connections are secure
- Repair or replacement of missing or damaged ductwork sections
- Mechanical sealing of duct sections with sheet-metal screws
- Application of mastic, a specialized sealant, or metal tape to all ductwork joints and connections
- Insulation of ductwork with rigid fiber board or standard roll insulation to prevent energy loss through the duct metal itself
Ross & Witmer has offered professional HVAC sales, maintenance and repair in Charlotte and the surrounding areas since 1945. Contact us today for more information on the importance of duct sealing and how well-sealed ducts can improve your heating and cooling system’s efficiency, boost indoor comfort levels and decrease your monthly energy bills.