One of the primary ways homeowners lose energy is through air leaks. In addition to leaks around doors and windows, you also need to watch out for leaks in your HVAC ductwork. Depending on the degree and severity of leakage in a given AC system, energy loss may amount to as much as 30 percent or more.
Why Is It Important to Seal HVAC Leaks?
When there are leaks in the ducts, the HVAC system won’t be able to circulate as much air through the house. Consequently, your system will work harder to maintain a consistent temperature. This will not only waste energy, but it will also place unnecessary wear and tear on the system, reducing its operational lifespan. Leaks also allow openings for debris, dirt and other unwanted items. One such occurrence can be insects inside your ductwork, which can damage the heating and cooling units.
How Can I Find and Repair an HVAC Leak?
Most air duct system leaks are very small, which makes it tough to locate them. Hire a certified HVAC specialist to check out your ductwork and test for leaks. A professional technician has the proper tools for inspecting your system, such as a duct leakage detector or a flow hood to push air into a register and through the ductwork. Your technician will seal off other registers and returns and then use a special instrument to determine the differences in pressure at a leak site.
How Do I Seal Metal and Flex Air Ducts?
For metal HVAC ducts, a technician will use a special mastic tape to seal HVAC connections and seams to minimize air loss. Flex ducts are more susceptible to tearing than other types of HVAC ducts. In the event that a small tear does develop, it’s typically recommended to replace the damaged ductwork section. If you don’t feel comfortable replacing the ductwork yourself, hire an HVAC professional. The HVAC specialist will also install ductwork insulation as needed to further regulate the household air temperature.
Call Local AC to Schedule HVAC Leak Sealing
Miami-Dade and Broward County residents trust the highly trained Local AC technicians for all of their HVAC jobs. Contact us today to set up your next appointment.
