Studies performed by the EPA suggest that in the average home, around 20-30% of the energy used for heating and cooling is wasted as a result of leaky ductwork. That’s 30 cents out of every dollar you pay in energy bills. Over a year, this can add up to hundreds of wasted dollars. In this blog, we'll cover signs that you have leaky ducts and five benefits of sealing your ductwork.
Modern central air conditioning systems have come a long way since their inception. Federal regulations require that all air conditioning equipment be measured and labeled with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) number, which tells how efficient your system is. In 2023, the minimum SEER rating increased from 13 to 14 in northern states and 14 and 15 in southern states, but manufacturers are producing systems as high as 26 SEER.
Unfortunately, despite investing thousands of dollars to upgrade older equipment, many homeowners will not fully enjoy the advantages of their new advanced systems due to leaky ducts. If your new high-efficiency system is connected to ductwork that has leaks, research has revealed that an HVAC unit with a 13 SEER rating will function more like a system with a seven or nine SEER rating.
Indicators of Leaky Ductwork
Below are some signs that may indicate you have leaky, poorly insulated, or inefficient ducts.
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You have high summer and winter utility bills.
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You have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool.
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You have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable.
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Your ducts are located in an attic, unfinished basement, crawlspace, or garage.
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You find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system.
Benefits of Properly Sealing Your Ducts
Lower energy bills
Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers your energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings. Plus, if you’re planning to install new heating and cooling equipment, a well-designed sealed duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better dehumidification.
Improved comfort
Sealing and insulating ducts is an effective solution to address common comfort problems that homeowners face, such as rooms that are uncomfortably hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. By properly sealing and insulating your ductwork, you can create a more balanced and consistent temperature throughout your home.
Enhanced indoor air quality
Fumes from household and garden chemicals, insulation particles, and dust can enter your duct system, aggravating asthma and allergy problems. Sealing ducts can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of pollutants entering ducts and circulating through your home.
Enhanced safety
During normal operation, gas appliances such as water heaters, clothes dryers, and furnaces release combustion gases through their venting systems. Leaky ductwork in your heating and cooling system may cause “back drafting,” where these gases are drawn back into the living space, rather than expelled to the outdoors. Sealing leaks can reduce this risk, keeping you and your family both safe and comfortable.
Environmental preservation
Power plants burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, which in turn releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to climate change and have detrimental effects on our planet. By sealing ductwork and using less energy in our homes, we can actively participate in reducing these harmful emissions. When our heating and cooling systems are operating efficiently, we consume less energy, resulting in a decreased demand for electricity from power plants. This leads to a reduced production of greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Additionally, by sealing our ductwork, we create a more energy-efficient home environment. When our heating and cooling systems are not working overtime to compensate for leaks and inefficiencies in the ducts, we consume less energy overall.
Conclusion
By addressing leaky ducts, you can lower your energy bills, create a more balanced and consistent temperature in your home, improve indoor air quality, enhance safety, and contribute to the preservation of our planet. Sealing ductwork is a worthwhile investment that can save you money and improve your living environment. Take action today to seal your ductwork and start enjoying the numerous benefits it brings.
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
