Posted: October 5, 2018
If you have a central HVAC system, you have an indoor air handler to deliver warm or cool air to your home, as well as an outdoor condenser unit. The air you feel circulating around your home is delivered through the ductwork.
Most people don’t think about their duct system because most of it is hidden behind walls—although some sections are visible. If you’ve never had your ductwork inspected, we highly recommend it.
A national survey revealed that the number one indoor air quality (IAQ) concern for homeowners was excessive dust.* The presence of airborne allergens, viruses/bacteria and mold/mildew also caused worry.
In most cases, all of these problems can be traced to leaky ductwork. If you have a leak, your return ductwork (which takes the air inside your home back to your heating or cooling system) will draw air from places like garages, attics and crawl spaces. This can result in:
Most air leaks occur at joints and seams in the ductwork. You can check for air leaks in your exposed ducts by holding a lit stick of incense around these areas when the blower fan is moving air through your ducts. If you see the smoke getting pulled in or pushed away from the duct, you’ve found a leak!
Another symptom of leaking ducts is unusual noises when your furnace or air conditioning unit is operating. These noises can include rattling, banging and clattering.
We can do a thorough inspection of your duct system to identify problem areas and seal leaks with Aeroseal, a proven method to stop ducts from leaking and ensure a healthier environment for your home. Read more.
In addition to gaining significant energy savings, a well-sealed duct system will result in a more comfortable home. Well-sealed ductwork reduces allergens by ensuring that all conditioned air passes through filters. Sealed ducts also improve air circulation so temperatures are more even. Uneven temperatures are the most common complaint in homes where there are significant duct leaks!
Please contact us today to request your free duct leakage inspection.
*Decision Analyst, 2013 American Home Comfort Study