Like most homeowners, Tulsa Metropolitan residents want to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Sealing leaky ductwork is one of the most cost-effective ways to accomplish this. Doing so allows hot and cold air to move into your home instead of vanishing through your ducts into the attic, crawl space, or other areas you don't want to pay to heat and cool.According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it's been proven that sealing leaky ducts can save you nearly 20 percent on your heating and cooling costs and roughly 10 percent on your yearly energy bills. It also may allow you to downscale to a smaller HVAC system.Not sure if there are leaks in your ductwork? Here are some telltale signs to look for.
High utility bills in the winter and summer
Rooms that are hard to heat and cool
Temperature fluctuations between rooms
Air leaks around the joints where the ductwork and your heating or cooling units meet
Open spaces and cracks in old mastic or metal tape
Dust or lint around leaky spots
“Hidden” ducts in your basement, garage, attic and crawlspaces
Bent or twisted ducts
Holes can be sealed with a variety of materials, including, caulk, weather stripping, spray foam, metal tape, aerosol-based sealant or mastic (a thick paste that comes in a tube). Rub the adhesive around the collars, joints and corners of your HVAC system. Next, extract a wide line of paste around the interior of the larger duct opening prior to sliding the next section inside. Don’t forget to seal any grills or registers securely to the ducts.It’s also a good idea to seal:
Disjointed segments or connections
Links between the air unit and plenum
All seams, returns and boots
Joints separating the duct branches
You may want to seek the help of a contractor or HVAC technician to ensure that your ductwork is sealed properly, as this is a complicated DIY job.If you would like to check out the advantages of sealing leaky ducts in your Oklahoma home, contact the comfort experts at Air Assurance. We are happy to answer any questions or offer our expert advice regarding duct systems or other HVAC equipment. We are always ready to provide the information you need to take better control of your home comfort.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.