Your ductwork is one of the unsung heroes of your home, allowing your central forced-air heating and cooling systems to keep your home comfortable year-round while simultaneously staying out of sight. While it’s a great thing that your ducts are so unobtrusive while playing so vital role, it also makes it hard for them to receive repairs when they need them. Many homeowners can’t tell what kind of condition their ducts are in, and thus can’t tell when they are in need of repairs. This contributes to one of the biggest problems that ducts are afflicted with: duct leaks. Let’s take a look at why you should have your ducts inspected and sealed, and how that can help keep you cool this summer.
The US Department of Energy has estimated that average forced-air systems lose between 20 to 30 percent of their output to leaks in the ductwork. That’s a very large chunk of the total output that you are paying for, but which goes to waste without ever benefiting you. Most duct leaks are present at the connection points between the system and the ductwork, and are caused by careless installation or wear and tear. Though duct leaks are often small, just a handful of them are enough to cause that large portion of your system’s output to go to waste.
Duct sealing is the process of finding and closing these leaks, improving the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning systems. The leaks are often sealed with mastic, which is a paint-like substance that dries into a semi-rigid, airtight material. By having your ducts sealed, you not only save money on wasted output but improve your home’s climate control. If you’re looking for ways to stay cool this summer, you should definitely consider duct sealing.
If you haven’t had your ducts inspected or sealed, call Russel’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide duct sealing services throughout Yucaipa, CA.