Patch Up & Wrap Up Air Ducts for a More Affordable Furnace Season
Most don’t know it, but air ducts are the biggest energy wasters in your home. Loosely patched air ducts can waste lots of money on heating and cooling bills every month. Getting your air ducts patched and insulated can improve their efficiency by nearly 20%. Are your air ducts performing poorly? Our experts at Lancaster Brothers Heating & Cooling compiled a list of easy ways for you to decide if your air ducts need attention.
Signs Your Air Ducts Are Performing Poorly
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You have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool
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You have high summer and winter utility bills
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You have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
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You find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system
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Your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage
How to Seal Your Ducts Correctly
The correct materials are vital when it comes to sealing your ducts properly. With our personal experience, we have found the best product to use is mastic sealant or metal tape. Duct tape can solve a lot of problems but DO NOT use duct tape to seal your air ducts. The name is misleading, but duct tape does not hold very well with hot and cold temperature fluctuations. First, check the ducts you can access directly. For example, attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements or garages are oftentimes the most vulnerable. Once this is done, you should check that the connections to all the vents and registers are well sealed. Floors, walls, sealings, or any spot that may disconnect or leak.
Related Read: Furnace Tune-Ups Now for a More Comfortable Winter
Insulate Your Ducts Where They Need It Most
Any location in your house that experiences temperature differences (attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages) should be the spots to receive the most attention. Use a foil-faced fiberglass insulation with an R-6 or higher insulation value. Now, to hold the insulation in place, break out the metallic foil. Make sure the foil surface is dust-free before applying.
Get Your Special Deal on Lennox Home Comfort Systems
If you think your current furnace is on its last leg, we recommend a Lennox Home Comfort System for its high quality and energy efficiency. Call us and we’ll fill you in on the great deals going on with Lennox.