Duct Leakage Testing


Out-of-Sight, Out-of-Mind This old axiom applies to most aspects of a heating or air conditioning system and especially to the duct system. If you are like most homeowners, as long as your system is keeping you comfortable, you don’t usually give it much thought. But what you don’t see could be costing you a lot of money each year. Most duct systems are installed in attics or building cavities where they are rarely seen or inspected. They may have been poorly sealed when installed, fittings may have come loose, and duct runs may have become disconnected. All of this leads to a lot of lost air – air that you pay to heat and cool. To create a comfortable home, an efficient duct system is a must. Ducts—known collectively as the air distribution system—carry air from the central heater or air conditioner to each part of the home and back again. In a typical house about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes,and poorly connected ducts. That’s why the duct systems found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes are third-party tested for tightness and verified to be properly insulated. BENEFITS OF EFFICIENT DUCT SYSTEMS • Improved Comfort. When ducts are properly sealed and insulated, they deliver conditioned air more effectively to all rooms—helping to ensure a more constant temperature throughout the home. • Lower Utility Bills. The average homeowner spends more than $600 on space heating and cooling each year. Tightly sealed and well insulated ducts found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes can reduce annual utility bills by $120 or more. • Improved Indoor Air Quality. Leaky ducts in attics, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and garages can allow dirt, dust, moisture, pollen, pests, and fumes to enter the home. Sealing these ducts helps improve indoor air quality. • Lower Equipment Costs. When ducts are leaky, the heating and cooling system has to work harder to condition the home. Duct sealing, along with proper insulation, allows the installation of a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system. No Images loaded or Javascript is disabled.
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