Air duct leaks within a home can become a pricy inconvenience, causing hundreds of dollars in energy bills each year. When your ductwork contains holes or leaks, not only are you paying more on your monthly bills, but you’re paying for a less effective service. Air leaks can cause the airflow in your home to become dusty and dirty, and your HVAC units can struggle to produce their normal temperatures. The best way to solve air duct leaks is to hire a professional HVAC technician. However, there are a few ways to locate and fix the leaks within your home on your own.
Inspection
Ductwork is typically located in an attic or basement, depending on the home. There are multiple different ways to proceed when searching for duct leaks. You can try a visual approach, or more elaborate methods, such as smoke tests.
Visual Inspection
Using a flashlight, try to find signs of leaks, gaps, or holes. If you find signs of rusting, this could also mean the possibility of a leak. While inspecting, take your hand and run it gently alongside where two sections of ductwork meet. If you feel air escaping, carefully record the location of the leak, with a pencil, or a sticker. For better visual effects, it can be a good idea to turn your HVAC units on high-power, to receive a more obvious idea of where the leaks are.
Smoke Test
This method is used by professionals, but you can attempt to try it for yourself. With a smoke test, smoke is used to find gaps within the ductwork, gathering near areas where there are holes and tears. The smoke used for this trick can be from an incense burner or a smoke pencil. While performing this technique, it’s critical that the smoke being used is non-toxic and will not cause smoke alarms within your home to go off. If nervous about how to proceed with this tactic, give an HVAC professional a call. They’ll perform this method safely and efficiently.
Sealing Air Leaks
When sealing parts of your ductwork, you’ll first need the proper tools. Energy.gov recommends the use of caulk and foam sealant. Duct tape has been used as a past alternative, but it is not the recommended solution, and can even cause more damage to occur in the future.
Using caulk and foam sealant, carefully seal up holes and gaps within the ductwork. Caulk should be used for smaller gaps that are less than a ¼ inch, for larger holes, foam sealant is recommended. Before you proceed, keep in mind that sometimes, sealing up ducts can trap harmful pollutants such as radon or carbon monoxide within the system. A service professional can come to your home and inspect the area, making sure that no harmful gases are present.
For more questions about duct sealing, contact The Air Duct Cleaning Experts today! We can seal your ducts efficiently. Keep the situation stress-free by hiring professionals who are skilled in their field. Our HVAC service workers are here to help!
