According to the Department of Energy, one of the best ways to increase energy efficiency is to examine your ductwork. Did you know that duct systems typically lose up to 40% of its heating or cooling energy? Unlike plumbing leaks, duct leaks are very common and often go unnoticed because homeowners cannot see the issue.
The Benefits of Duct Sealing
The longer duct leaks go untreated, the worse the consequences are on your health, comfort, and wallet. There are four main benefits of duct sealing, all of which contribute to the enjoyment of your home.
Improved Air Quality
Regularly replacing air filters are one of the most common ways to improve indoor air quality. However, air filters are unable to prevent duct leaks from promoting mold growth and spreading unwanted contaminants like dust, pests, and more. This can aggravate allergies and can even cause respiratory issues. This is particularly important for children, who spend “as much as 90% of their time indoors” and are more vulnerable to developing asthma. By sealing your ducts, you can further improve your indoor air quality and eliminate respiratory risk factors.
More Comfort
Houses offer relief from unbearable weather, especially during hot summers and cold winters. Leaky ducts can disrupt your sanctuary by pulling outside air into the duct system and affecting the indoor temperature. One of the biggest issues in Florida is that the inefficient ducts pull in humid air and overwhelm the dehumidification capacity. As a result, your home may feel more humid and your clothes, belongings, and furniture are susceptible to mildew, mold, and moisture rot as a result. Duct sealing prevents humidity from entering your home, making it more comfortable for you and your family.
Increased Safety
Gas appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers produce combustion gases, like carbon monoxide. These harmful gases travel through the ventilation system and are released outside, where the threat is neutralized. Duct leaks can create a backdraft that pulls these gases back into the home, making the air more dangerous to breathe. Duct sealing can minimize this risk by ensuring the gas leaves the home instead of lingering inside.
Lowered Utility Bills
Air conditioning accounts for 50-70% of your electricity bill, which makes it important to own an energy efficient system. Leaky ducts can significantly impact utility bills because they require more energy to cool or heat the home. Homeowners can save up to 20-40% by sealing their ducts, resulting in a more efficient system.
What is a Duct Blaster® Test?
A Duct Blaster® test is the most common method for testing duct tightness. The tighter the duct, the less leaks there are. It is a relatively quick process and helps determine whether homeowners need to seal their ducts.
Duct Blaster Air® Test Process:
- Cover all the grills and registers to isolate any leakage
- Turn air handler fan off
- Attach the Duct Blaster® near the furnace or return-air grill
- Turn on the Duct Blaster® to pressurize the duct system
- Monitor the pressure and airflow gauge to determine efficiency losses
While the Duct Blaster® test is highly effective for determining the precise leakage of your duct, it cannot identify where the leaks are coming from – but theatrical fog machines can! Smoke billows out of any leaks, illustrating exactly where duct sealing is needed.
Schedule a Duct Blaster® Test and Duct Sealing Service Today!
Protect your family, home, and wallet by scheduling a quick test to identify any duct leaks. If any are found, we can seal them to maximize your system’s energy efficiency. At Gator Air & Energy, we are committed to understanding the ductwork of every system we service to properly care for your home. Our HVAC experts are happy to help and just a call away.
