At Monarch Home Services, we know duct sealing can improve indoor air quality and have other benefits, but does it have an impact on your comfort? Your ductwork helps distribute the conditioned air your HVAC unit produces. If warm air leaks out or cold air gets in through holes or loose connections, your home can become dramatically less comfortable.
Improved comfort is one of the top reasons to schedule duct sealing. Your HVAC system is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home. Having air ducts sealed should be a priority. Whether you use mastic, a contractor seals ducts manually, or uses an aerosolized sealant, your AC or heater can work more effectively so you’re more comfortable any time of the year.
The Connection Between Duct Sealing and Home Comfort
When your HVAC unit produces warm or cool air, this air is blown into the ductwork. The ducts lead to vents in rooms throughout your home. This is what helps keep the temperature regulated. But if there are holes or gaps in the system, air can either leak or escape. Your air conditioner or furnace must work harder to compensate but will struggle to maintain the proper temperature, reducing comfort and increasing energy consumption.
What Is It About Duct Sealing that Improves Comfort?
Sealing leaks in your air ducts can improve comfort in the following ways:
- More Even Distribution of Air: Your ductwork is normally balanced, so heated or cooled air is evenly distributed to every part of your home. Leaks disrupt this balance. Duct sealing restores it so your ductwork can distribute conditioned air properly again.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: A leak in your ductwork can introduce dust and airborne particles, which then circulate in your home. Pollen and other allergens can also get in. Even indoor air pollutants from other parts of your house can get through spaces and travel to areas you don’t want them. Duct sealing can eliminate all these so you have cleaner air to breathe.
- Improved HVAC System Performance: When air ducts are leaking, your HVAC unit can’t deliver all the conditioned air to where it’s needed. If a return duct is leaking, not enough air may reach it. The problem reduces the heating or cooling ability of the system and can strain it, leading to an increased risk of costly repairs. Duct sealing can avoid these and allows your AC or heater to work better, so your home is at the right temperature.
How Do I Know Comfort Issues Are Due to Duct Leaks?
There are many reasons your HVAC system may work less effectively. The first step to duct sealing is to identify where the leaks are. Before you even call your local contractor, you can visually inspect accessible ductwork for holes, loose connections, or cracks or gaps in seams. Common places where these occur include plenums and register boots.
Even if you can’t find visual proof, a leak may still be present. This is when it’s time to call a professional. They can perform a blower door test, which entails using fans to measure air pressure to find evidence of a leak. Another method is an infrared camera inspection, which uses temperature differences to determine where air leaks are occurring.
Can DIY Duct Sealing Improve Comfort?
If an air duct leak is small and isolated, you can use mastic sealant or metal-backed tape. However, the product must be designed for use with air ducts. Such materials are available at many hardware stores. When using them, follow the manufacturer’s instructions; check for improvements in airflow after applying them. A DIY fix can be effective but is often just a temporary solution, especially if sections of ductwork are damaged or aging.
Why Should I Hire a Professional for Duct Sealing?
One mistake can lead to airflow issues or a carbon monoxide leak. When you hire a professional, they ensure your ducts are properly sealed so your home is safe and comfortable. Contractors use the right tools to ensure a successful duct sealing job.
Also, higher-quality sealants are used. The better the sealant, the more resistant it is to temperature extremes, vibration, and other factors. The professional who sealed your ducts should check their work after six months to ensure the seal is holding and your ductwork is functioning properly.
Schedule Duct Sealing with Monarch Home Services
We provide duct sealing services for homeowners in the San Joaquin Valley. Whether your air ducts are leaking due to cracks, loose connections, holes, corrosion, or other types of damage, our NATE- and EPA-certified technicians can repair them. Contact us if your HVAC system isn’t regulating the indoor temperature, there are odors or other indoor air quality issues, or air ducts are visibly damaged. To request duct sealing or repair services, call (661) 215-6679 today.