Duct Sealing Improves System Efficiency And Indoor Air Quality in your Tampa Home

Duct sealing can help protect your indoor air quality — and your pocketbook.

The ductwork is a part of your cooling and heating system that many homeowners ignore. It’s hidden from view, should make no noise and demands no scheduled part replacements. But leaks in your ductwork may be exposing your household to airborne contaminants and other hazards — as well as boosting your energy bills. The Environmental Protection Agency says 20 percent of the air moving through the duct system of a typical U.S. home is lost to leaks and open joints.

Leaks in ductwork also can expose your family to fumes from chemicals used on your lawn and garden and in your garage and may admit allergens into the house. They can also lead to “backdrafting,” in which carbon monoxide and other byproducts of the combustion process are drawn into your home rather than ushered outdoors.

A periodic check of your ductwork will help you identify which sections will benefit from ductwork, helping ensure that you get all of the warm or cool air you pay for and that your home remains clean and healthy. While much of your ductwork may be hidden behind your walls, floors and ceiling, you can visually inspect the ducts that aren’t hidden. With your cooling or heating equipment running, you can search for leaks by feeling for air escaping along the ducts.

When you do find leaks, seal them off with mastic-type sealant or metal tape, not duct tape. (Despite the name, duct tape is not designed for long-term use.) Clean surfaces so tape and sealant bonds securely.

After sealing up accessible ducts:

• Check the registers and grills throughout your home to see that they are properly attached. They can get kicked loose.
• Straighten flexible ducts on appliances to improve airflow.
• Once you’ve done the easy work, take any further duct sealing problems to a certified HVAC professional. They can test duct systems with fans that eliminate the guesswork in verifying that leaks have been repaired.

Questions? Contact the Tampa Bay area’s heating and cooling specialists at Simpson Air. We’ll be glad to help.