Without proper duct sealing, you will continue to waste money on energy being used to condition air that will never make it into your living area. No matter how efficient your HVAC system is, your ducts have to be sealed adequately in order to deliver the conditioned air. You can save up to 20 percent on your energy costs by fixing leaky ducts.
Cracks, holes and gaps in your ducts let air escape into areas that have no need for conditioned air, such as your crawl space or basement. This forces your HVAC system to continue pumping out air in an attempt to get your house to the temperature you have set. This extra strain causes an increase in your energy costs and will overwork your system, leading to breakdowns and the need for expensive repairs.
A common remedy used by HVAC professionals on ducts that are exposed in your attic, garage or other accessible areas, is duct mastic. It is simply spread over any holes they find, and then hardens to prevent air from escaping.
Insulation can also help your ductwork perform more efficiently. When your unconditioned areas reach extreme temperatures, this can change the temperature of the air within ducts passing through these areas. For example, attics can become swelteringly hot during the summer. The cool air in the ducts that pass through the attic can become warmer, again making it harder for your home to reach its ideal temperature. By adding insulation around the ducts and in areas like your attic, you can prevent this heat transfer from occurring.
Before installing a new ductwork system, you need to make sure you are working with a trustworthy and reliable HVAC contractor who will pay just as much attention to the ducts as they will the other major components of your HVAC system. Much of your ductwork becomes inaccessible after the installation because it is concealed in walls and flooring. This makes it incredibly hard to repair later on.
To learn more about duct sealing, contact Around The Clock Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.today. We have served southern California since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about duct sealing and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Around the Clock Air Conditioning & Heating services Los Angeles, North Hollywood and the surrounding areas in California. Visit our website to see our current specials and get started today!
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