Why Is Duct Sealing Very Important
Duct sealing is simply the process of ensuring that there are no gaps in your duct system. This is one of the ways that you can make your home energy efficient. Turning off your lights, unplugging your electronic equipment, and using the right appliances will help you reduce the energy consumption in your home. But these are all things that you can see immediately at home. What about the systems working constantly inside the walls and ceiling of your home?
The duct system of your HVAC system can compromise your efforts to make your home more energy efficient. If you fail to take care of it, that mistake will cost you money in the long run.
Duct sealing should be given importance because any leak in your duct system means the loss of air. This will make your HVAC unit work harder than it has to. Whatever air is leaking will have to be replaced and that means more work for it. That will reduce the lifespan of your HVAC unit.
Beyond that, the gaps in your duct system will let dirt and dust into the airflow. That can compromise the quality of the air that circulates in your home. It will increase the risk of someone in the family getting sick.
It does not matter if your duct system was installed by a professional. Like everything else, it will wear out over time. It will have leaks and these should be addressed before it gets worse. To achieve the best results, the duct sealing should be done by a professional as well. They have the training and the experience to spot where the leaks are and make sure that all of them are sealed tight.
But how will you know that your duct system is leaking?
Start by checking your energy bills – especially during the summer and winter seasons. If it is higher than the usual, then you know that there is a problem somewhere. You can also observe how fast a room can cool or heat up. This is also a sign that there is a leak in your duct system. Since the leak can compromise the quality of air in your home, any stuffy room or uncomfortable feeling that you have when you inhale the air should be investigated. When people in the house start getting sick even if it is not the season for it, you know the quality of your air is no longer as it was before.
Most of the time, the duct system is located in the attic, garage or crawlspace in your home. This means it might be harder for you to spot any leak in the duct system. Because of that, you have to be extra careful in observing the air the circulates in your home.
While going to a professional to help with duct sealing is the best course of action, there are steps that you can perform to help you improve the performance of your duct system. First of all, you have to take the time to check your HVAC system every now and then. You should also try to access the part of the duct system that you can reach and check them for leaks. A metal tape or mastic sealant can be bought in any hardware store. You can use this to do your DIY duct sealing. You should also check the connections of the vents are well-sealed. Sometimes, the leaks are already evident from here. In case you have tried everything but it seems that there is still a leak, just go ahead and call a professional.
