Even if your home is well-insulated and protected against leaks, you may still lose a significant portion of the energy produced by your heating system. Your ductwork can lose 25 percent or more of your furnace heating through ductwork issues such as leaks, cracks and blocks. You can improve the efficiency of your heating system and lower your utility bills throughout the winter by repairing these common duct problems.
Make the following changes to your duct system for noticeable savings:
- Search for leaks. You can find leaks in your ductwork by holding your hand over your ducts. If you feel heat or airflow, then you may have a problem. Seal any leaks with foil tape or mastic, or replace existing duct tape with foil tape. Tighten the joints between duct sections and add additional foil tape to fortify the connection.
- Add or replace insulation in un-insulated areas. Areas of your home that are not naturally insulated, such as your basement, crawlspaces, and the attic, require additional ductwork insulation. Ensure you are not losing energy through these areas by adding any necessary insulation.
- Remove any blocks from your ducts. These blocks may come from furniture, pieces of wood or cardboard blocking the vents, or closed-off rooms that restrict the airflow of the house. A higher level of circulation improves the efficiency of your unit and lowers cost.
- Consider adding additional return or supply vents. Certain rooms of your house may benefit from more vents if some rooms always seem colder or warmer than others. Additional airflow will keep the heat level even throughout the house.
For more information about how to address ductwork issues and improve the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your Twin Cities HVAC system, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We supply the Twin Cities metro area with expert HVAC care and advice year-round. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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