According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program, leaky ducts in attics or crawlspaces can account for 20 percent or more of a home’s heating and cooling energy losses. This results in higher utility bills for you and difficulty keeping your house comfortable. Leaky air ducts also place extra strain on your heating and cooling equipment.
A few signs you may have leaky ducts are if you have:
- High utility bills in summer and winter
- Difficult-to-heat-and-cool rooms
- Stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
- Attic, crawlspace, or garage ducts
- Tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system
What Can You Do About Leaky Ducts?
Run your system, and check all the ducts and joints you can access. You can seal these yourself with mastic or foil-backed tape. You should also seal around where the metal air vent boxes meet the wall or ceiling. Duct tape is actually not recommended for ductwork, and any fabric-backed tape will deteriorate over time.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ, is very important to the health and well-being of you and your family.
