Sealing and insulating the ductwork of a forced-air HVAC system are two of the quickest ways to increase the system’s efficiency. You will experience immediate cost and comfort benefits.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that sealing your heating and cooling ducts can boost efficiency by up to 25%. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) found in separate studies that ductwork problems typically result in a 25% loss of efficiency.
What are the tell-tale signs that your ductwork needs to be better sealed and insulated?
- High utility costs in the summer and winter
- Difficulty heating or cooling some rooms
- A long time to cool temperature down
- Your flexible duct is twisted or tangled.
- Some of your ductwork is located in uninsulated spaces like attics or crawl spaces.
Non-Insulated Ductwork
Ductwork is frequently found in attics or non-insulated crawlspaces outside the building envelope. In an attic that is 135 degrees, blowing cold air through a non-insulated metal duct simply absorbs the cold. The efficiency of your HVAC will also be affected by hot air passing through a duct that is exposed to the cold of winter.
Not Properly Sealed
According to research, the ductwork in many buildings is not properly sealed. Duct joints, vents, registers, plenums, and filters are common places for issues to occur. Ductwork that has been entirely disconnected is not all that unusual.
What Sealant to Use
The cloth-backed tape known as duct tape was used to assemble the ductwork in many homes. Unfortunately, duct tape isn’t very effective at sealing, according to research. Researchers tested 19 different types of sealants for HVAC ductwork, and duct tape was the only one to fail. The EPA advises using metal tape or mastic sealant.
Insulation and Sealing Benefits
Sealing and insulating your ductwork have many benefits, including lower utility costs, less humidity, and better comfort. What’s more, there is yet another advantage, which could be very important. Due to the excellent condition of the rest of your system, you may be able to use a smaller model with a lower nameplate rating if you ever need to replace just the furnace or air conditioner. As a result you will save more money on capital costs and bring down operating costs even more.
Sealing and insulating the ductwork of a forced-air HVAC system are two of the quickest ways to increase the system’s efficiency. A quick return on your investment is possible, and you will notice immediate benefits in terms of comfort and cost.
Give the American Crawl Space team a call if you want to save money but need assistance insulating the ductwork in your home. Our Puget Sound experts have years of experience sealing and installing insulation that will not only stand the test of time, but will also reduce the cost of monthly energy bills.
Call American Crawl Space today to stop wasting money and to freeze your energy costs.