It’s easy to overlook the importance of your home’s ductwork. Although it operates behind the scenes, it plays a crucial role in delivering heating and air conditioning throughout your rooms. However, it’s worth noting that a typical house loses around 20 percent of its conditioned air before it reaches its destination. This is often due to holes, poor connections, or other leaks in the ductwork. Instead of wasting money on heating or cooling your attic, consider sealing your ducts to enjoy long-term savings on your utility bills.
Several indicators can help you identify leaking ducts. If you’ve noticed stuffy or dusty rooms that are difficult to keep cool, or if your utility bills have been unreasonably high, it’s possible that your ducts are compromised. Additionally, if your ducts appear kinked, dented, or haven’t been inspected in years, it’s advisable to have a professional conduct a thorough examination and leak test.
A reputable professional HVAC company in Eden Prairie MN should inspect every inch of your ducts and replace damaged sections as needed. They should also seal all connection points and leaks using metal tape, aerosol sealant, or mastic. It’s important to secure and seal grilles and registers properly. Special attention must be given to combustion appliances to prevent carbon monoxide back-drafting. Ducts in unfinished areas such as basements and attics should be insulated to maximize energy efficiency. Finally, an airflow test should be performed after sealing to ensure the work was completed accurately.
If you’re up for the task, you can undertake some of these steps yourself with the right tools and patience. At the very least, focus on tightly securing and sealing any leakage spots, connection points, grilles, and registers. Insulating attic and basement ducts can provide additional benefits. Any efforts you make to seal your ductwork will significantly enhance the air quality in your home while reducing energy costs.
To learn more about the role of ductwork in your HVAC system or to have your ducts professionally sealed, reach out to Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Serving the Twin Cities community since 1974, we aim to educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues related to Chanhassen heating and cooling systems.