An HVAC system is one of the most important systems in your home, especially when dealing with extreme temperatures during winter and summer. However, these systems are likely to undergo wear and tear, which affects their performance. For your heating and cooling unit to continue operating successfully, you need to conduct regular inspections and maintenance.
With the help of seasoned professionals such as Huft Home Services, you can identify and resolve any problem with your HVAC system. We provide a range of heating and cooling services to residents of Sacramento, CA, including air duct sealing.
What Is Air Duct Sealing?
Air duct sealing involves repairing loose connections, cracks, and holes in your air duct. This way, you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit and reduce energy bills. Air ducts play an integral role in heating and cooling your home as they provide channels for air from the heater or air conditioner to the rest of the house. These ducts are spread throughout the house and are designed to be air-tight to prevent leakage. However, the connections between ducts become loose over time and develop holes, causing air to escape before reaching the intended destination.
Air leakages cause the heater or air conditioner to work overtime, leading to higher energy bills. This will also cause temperature variations, meaning you won’t get the temperature you set your unit at. Sealing the air ducts will make your home energy efficient and will reduce the amount spent on electrical bills.
Does Air Duct Sealing Work?
Yes. Air duct sealing works and is the best way to ensure the performance of your HVAC unit and lower utility costs. However, before diving into air duct sealing, let us look at how to identify air duct leaks. This way, you can locate the leaks and develop an effective plan for dealing with the problem.
How Air Leaks Are Identified
Finding an air duct leak can be difficult, especially because most ducts are embedded inside walls and are difficult to access. On average, most homes have 30-90 feet of ductwork installed in areas such as the ceiling, walls, and basement. These locations make inspections and identifying a leak difficult.
However, professional firms such as Huft Home Service in Sacramento are trained and equipped to identify air leaks. With the right techniques, we can identify the specific location of the leaks. There are also some signs of leaks that you can watch for in your home.
Higher Utility Bills
One of the main indicators of an air duct leak is high utility bills. When hot or cold air escapes from your HVAC unit, it is forced to work harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. If you notice your utility bills rising, this could be a sign of air duct leakage. You can either DIY or have an expert perform an air duct inspection.
Cold or Hot Spots on Walls
A crack or hole in your air duct causes cold air to blow out, creating cold spots on the drywall of your living room, bathroom, or bedroom. These wall sections may feel overly warm during winter when the heating system is turned on. As part of your inspection, you can feel the walls to check for temperature variation, especially where the ductwork runs.
Low Airflow
A leak in your ductwork can significantly reduce airflow from the vents. If there is a slow supply of air from the supply vents, you should promptly carry out an air duct inspection to identify any leaks.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
A leak in your air ducts can cause more damage than letting in dust. They can also distribute fumes and other allergens that could cause people to get sick in your home. An air duct leakage has the potential of pulling in particles from the air outside, in the basement, or inside the walls. This can particularly be harmful to your household if you have pesticides, paint thinners, and other products that release fumes in the basement. A shift in indoor air quality could be a telltale sign of a leaking air duct.
Repeated HVAC Repair Needs
Like all other appliances, your HVAC system will need repairs from time to time. However, if you have a newer unit and constantly need to call on an HVAC service company for repairs, you could be dealing with a duct leak. The more your system runs to compensate for leaks, the more it suffers from wear and tear that leads to repairs. You can effectively prevent further damage to the unit by conducting an air duct inspection to find and fix the leaking ductwork.
Air Duct Sealing
As stated before, air duct sealing has several advantages, including saving money and giving you peace of mind. Some homeowners prefer to approach this as a DIY project using sealing mastic and aluminum duct tape. However, it’s advisable to get a professional to handle the job, especially when dealing with multiple or large air leaks. A professional can provide a long-term and sustainable solution to the problem. Aside from sealing ducts, they can add a layer of insulation around the ductwork to minimize heat loss to the air around the ducts. This insulation provides an extra layer of protection from air leaks.
Professionals are also skilled in using specialized products such as Aeroseal. This air duct product is designed to seal the entire ductwork system rather than just a few cracked or loose points. Aeroseal is an aerosol-based sealant that is sprayed into the ducts and solidifies when it comes into contact with a solid material. It seals off any leaks and repairs any leakage points within the ductwork without affecting the airflow. Aeroseal is a good solution for small air leaks that are barely detectable. The product can also be used for places that are hard to reach.
With the help of a professional, you can ascertain the severity of leakage within your air ducts and come up with the best course of action for repairing and sealing them. If you don’t have the necessary skills or experience dealing with air duct leakages, it’s important to reach out to a qualified team like that at Huft Home Services.
Are Your Air Ducts Leaking?
If you think that your air ducts are leaking, you should consider seeking professional help identifying and fixing them. At Huft Home Services, we offer a wide range of heating and cooling services. Our team can seal your ducts and install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems.
We also offer a full range of plumbing and electrical services, including drain cleaning and sewer services, surge protection, and indoor lighting installation. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our exemplary customer service. Our firm believes that our clients in Sacramento deserve to stay safe and comfortable in their homes. Call Huft Home Services or contact us through our website today to set up an appointment or learn more about our services.
