At Jeremy Services, we see a lot of homes, dozens and dozens of heating and cooling systems, and thousands of feet of ductwork every year.
Unfortunately, not all of these systems are installed or maintained properly, so we see many areas that simply waste energy. One of the biggest offenders is ductwork.
Homes Lose up to 30% of the Air in Their Ducts
Did you know that in a typical house, about 20% to 30% of the air moving through the ducts is lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections? That’s a lot of energy (and money) to waste. Ducts that run through unconditioned spaces, such as attics, crawl spaces, and unheated basements and garages, are the biggest energy wasters.
How do you know if this is the case with your ductwork? Look for gaps where they are connected to each other and check for holes in the tubing. Seal any that you find with mastic tape. Also check the connections at vents and registers where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common spots for leaks and disconnected ductwork.
Related Read: Is Your Air Conditioner Making You Sick? Dangers of a Dirty Indoor Coil
The Most Common Homeowner Mistake
When it comes to your ducts, there is one thing that you should avoid – duct tape. We often see homeowners seal their ducts with duct tape, which would likely seem to be the best tool for the job, but ironically it is not. Duct tape, despite its name, does not seal ducts well. After a few months, it will lose its grip and air will leak around it. Mastic tape or foil tape are designed to seal ducts and do a much better job.
Related Read: 5 Heating and Cooling Myths You’re Falling For
5 Signs of Poor Ductwork
How do you know that your home has poorly installed or just bad ductwork? Look for these signs:
- High utility bills all year long
- Ducts that are located in attics, crawl spaces, or the garage
- Stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
- Flexible ducts that are kinked or tangled
- Rooms that are hot in the summer months and cold in the winter months
If you think your home may have poor ductwork, stop wasting energy and money and give Jeremy Services a call at (913) 375-0070. We can seal and insulate your ducts to help save you money year round.
