Duct sealant is an ideal way to prevent leaks in air ducts. If you only have a few minor leaks, you may be able to cover them up manually. Duct sealant is a special material that can be used to cover openings and crevices in ducts. Homeowners often use adhesive tape to seal the ventilation grilles of ducts.
Leaks are usually found where lines branch off or separate. You can detect a leak by running the oven fan and feeling the air coming out of the duct. Once you've located the leak, use aluminum tape to cover the hole and seal it. Trunk and branched and radial supply duct configurations are best suited for ducts located in air-conditioned spaces. Leaky ducts are a problem because they waste energy and increase your home's heating and cooling costs.
Fortunately, sealing air ducts is easy and less expensive than replacing them. When constructing ducts, care must be taken to prevent contractors from using them for wiring or other public services. Ducts can also be placed in a sealed, insulated chassis that extends to the attic, or built on raised floors. Sealing ducts is particularly important if they are located in an unconditioned area, such as an attic or ventilated mezzanine. Your home's duct system is a branched network of pipes in walls, floors, and ceilings that carries air from your home's boiler and central air conditioner to every room.
Efficient and well-designed duct systems distribute air properly throughout the house without leaks to keep all rooms at a comfortable temperature. Even well-sealed and insulated ductwork can leak and lose some heat, so many new energy-saving homes place the ducting system inside the conditioned space of the house. If your ducts filter hot air into unheated spaces, it can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills. You can reduce this loss by sealing and insulating your ductwork. If the problem persists, you may need to increase the size of the supply duct or add an additional one to provide enough airflow to the room.
Minor repairs are easy to do yourself, but qualified professionals should seal and insulate ductwork in unconditioned spaces to ensure that appropriate sealing materials are used. In recent years, energy-saving designs have sought to include ducts and heating systems in the conditioned space. Existing duct systems often have design deficiencies in the air return system, and owner modifications (or simply keeping doors closed) can contribute to these problems. Sealing air ducts is an effective way to reduce energy costs while ensuring that all rooms in your home remain comfortable. It's important to use quality materials when sealing your air ducts, as this will ensure that they remain leak-free for years to come. If you're not sure how to go about sealing your air ducts, it's best to consult a professional who can help you identify any potential problems and provide advice on how best to address them.