Central HVAC systems rely on ductwork to distribute conditioned air throughout a home. Problems with those ducts can undermine comfort, health, and energy efficiency. These issues are so prevalent in residential scenarios that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took notice. In response, it funded research into methods to seal ducts from the inside using a non-toxic aerosol spray. Those methods are now widely available, and the EPA encourages their use in homes for their many benefits, including seasonal comfort.
Air Leakage and Energy Efficiency
HVAC duct networks aren’t perfect systems, as there will always be some degree of air leakage. This is where cooled or heated air seeps out of cracks or other imperfections and escapes. A newly installed duct system will generally have less than 5% leakage. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that leakage is between 20% and 40% in the average U.S. home. That’s a considerable amount of loss, and the system must compensate.
It means that your monthly electricity or fuel bill will be a lot higher than it should be. The other negative effect is that your household’s carbon footprint will be much higher as well. Duct sealing reduces leakage to less than 5% and largely eliminates those problems.
Static Pressure
Static pressure is a crucial concept within HVAC duct science. In fact, the DOE has required updates to many of the energy-efficiency ratings it uses to reflect static pressure. Those include the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). Static air pressure measures how much resistance there is against air moving through the system. For optimal HVAC performance, static pressure should be within a certain range, but duct problems like air leaks can decrease or increase it. In both cases, that leads to the equipment cycling longer and more often, resulting in heightened wear and tear.
Uneven Heating and Cooling
An HVAC system’s blower moves air into the ducts, and that air then circulates into the home through vents. When blower speed and static pressure are optimal, the air distributes evenly throughout all rooms. When ducts need sealing, you’ll experience uneven heating and cooling, and the issues will likely worsen over time. You’ll experience cold and warm spots in rooms. Certain rooms may simply be a couple of degrees higher or lower than the rest of the residence. It’s common to experience sharp temperature differences between the ground and upper floors as well.
Noise Levels
Ideally, an HVAC system should produce 60 decibels (dB) of sound or less. Noise at that level is much like a whisper and will largely go unnoticed. If your ducts require sealing, the suboptimal air movement within the system will cause vibrations and sounds. These issues can easily increase noise output to 70 dB or higher. At that point, the system noise is like a vacuum. It can be disruptive when watching TV, listening to music, or trying to go to sleep.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
An attic is a popular installation site for ducts. You may also have them in your crawl space, basement, or walls. Air leakage is not a loss of air as much as it is an exchange. As conditioned air leaks out, it creates a vacuum, which air from the attic fills. The air is often humid or dry depending on the season. It may also have high concentrations of dust and other allergens. That can undermine your indoor air quality and make air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers less effective. Sealing your ducts creates a tighter system for air to travel through without the risk of contamination.
Duct Inspections and Cleaning
Professionals will use a duct camera to determine if you need duct sealing. A high-definition camera will scrutinize your duct’s seals and inner walls. It’s good advice to schedule a duct inspection every other year, as it can reveal other problems as well. Dust builds up in ducts, and most households will require professional duct cleaning every several years. You may also experience issues with mounting hardware. Failed mounting hardware can put added strain on the duct’s seals and cause them to fail prematurely.
Professional Duct Sealing in Amherst
Heatwave Heating & Cooling is an EPA-certified HVAC company serving Amherst, NY. Our company proudly employs NATE-certified technicians who perform all of our duct-related services. Those include duct camera inspections and duct cleaning. We specialize in various duct sealing and sanitization techniques, including aerosol-based sealing and mastic sealant. Our team also performs duct repairs, duct replacements, and new duct installations. Call today or contact us online with questions or to set up an in-home consultation in the Amherst area.
