Cooler temperatures have arrived here in Colorado, and you’re probably thinking about ways to reduce your home’s energy usage. There are several ways to do this, from insulating your attic to installing a smart programmable thermostat.
One way to lower your energy consumption is sealing your ductwork. As much as 20 percent of your conditioned air may be escaping via leaks in your ducts, so it’s clear that fixing those problem spots can have almost immediate advantages.
- Searching for leaks: One of the difficulties involved in sealing ductwork is finding the leaks. This is where a trained HVAC technician can come in handy. But if you want to do the job yourself, start with a visual inspection. Move along the ductwork with a lit incense stick. If there’s a leak in a particular spot, you should see the smoke move to one side.
- Duct sealing: After you have found the leaks, seal them. Never use duct tape for this job, as it’s not heat-resistant. Instead, use mastic or metallic foil tape. Check all connections to ensure that they are tight.
- Checking the registers: It’s possible that the registers in your rooms are losing conditioned air, as well. Check all the registers and make sure they’re tight.
Once all of your ductwork is sealed, insulate it. Again, this is a job that you might want your HVAC technician to handle. Insulation is especially important if you have ductwork running through an attic or crawl space.
Sealing your ducts is one of the most important things you can do to save money. If you have any questions about duct sealing or duct insulation, contact the Rheem Pro Partner. We have served homeowners in Colorado and Wyoming for two decades, and our staff of experienced and highly trained professionals is more than happy to assist you.
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