As a Corpus Christi homeowner, you work hard to maintain and enhance your home. Part of your maintenance involves energy-saving measures, such as buying the right furnace and air conditioning filters and installing efficient insulation. Additionally, sealing ductwork leaks is key to ensuring better air quality, reduced energy costs and improved HVAC operation.
Your air ducts are a crucial component of your HVAC system. They deliver the heated and cooled air to your living spaces. But they can easily become susceptible to cracks, leaks and loose connections that allow heated and cooled air to escape into unwanted areas. Because much of your home’s ductwork is in unconditioned areas, such as your attic, ductwork leaks can also allow the infiltration of contaminants that can then get carried into your living spaces. This air may contain unhealthy vapors and mold spores. To avoid this, consider the following tips on effective duct sealing:
- Locate the leaks: Inspect any exposed ductwork for holes, gaps, cracks or joint separations. To help the process, turn on your HVAC system, and run your hand along the ducts to feel for escaping air.
- Seal the leaks: You can use butyl tape, foil tape, mastic or other heat-resistant tape to seal the ductwork leaks.  Contrary to what it’s name implies duct tape does not work for sealing ducts because the glue looses its stick with the heat of the attic.  If you suspect leaks are occurring in inaccessible areas, such as within your home’s walls, contact an HVAC professional for assistance.
- Add insulation: Because most ducts are constructed from thin metal, wrapping insulation around segments can help prevent heat transfer and leaks. Â This insulation must have a sealed vapor barrier on the outside to prevent condensation problems. Â Insulting the ducts without a proper vapor barrier will cause the ducts to sweat and may cause ceiling damage.
The Benefits
Sealing your ductwork leaks can significantly reduce your home’s energy loss and improve your indoor-air quality and comfort. It’s especially important if any member of your family has a respiratory or other health issue that requires indoor air that’s free of contaminants.
To learn more about your ductwork and ways improve your home comfort and efficiency, contact your local experts at Mathews CCAC. We proudly provide superior service and products to homeowners throughout Corpus Christi and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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