With the chill of winter around the corner, it’s time to make sure your heating system is working at an optimum level. Did you know that in an average home, about 20 percent of the air that moves through your heating ducts is lost due to leaks? That results in needless energy loss and unnecessary expense on your heating bill. Luckily, you can eliminate this waste if you seal the ductwork, which can be an easy and inexpensive project if done correctly.
But how can you tell if you need to seal the ductwork? The symptoms are typically simple to spot:
- Unusually high utility bills at the time of year when the heat is on
- Rooms in the house that you just can’t make comfortable no matter how high you crank the heat
- Visibly kinked or tangled ducts in your system
Some homeowners seal the ductwork as a do-it-yourself project. This is possible, but it can sometimes be difficult since in many cases, ducts are located within the walls and ceilings of a home. When sealing ductwork yourself, it’s important not to use duct tape. Though the name makes that seem like the right stuff for the job, it’s not long-lasting. Instead, use metal tape or mastic sealant. Be sure to check the connections at the vents, registers and furnace slot, too, as these are likely spots for disconnected ductwork and leaks.
Other homeowners opt to handle duct sealing by working with a professional HVAC contractor. When choosing a contractor, be sure select one who will inspect the whole duct system (including in difficult-to-reach areas like your home’s crawlspace), repair kinked ducts, insulate ducts with material that carries an R-value of 6 or higher, and replace your system’s air filter.
Just making some simple improvements to your ductwork can result in significant savings and a more comfortable home this winter. For more information on how to increase your home’s energy efficiency, check out these suggestions. At Mowery Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing, we provide quality HVAC services to the Indianapolis area. Contact us today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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