While leaks in your air ducts can be problematic alone, the leaks can contribute to a whole host of other problems that can cost you money and compromise your health. Having your air ducts sealed helps eliminate opportunities for harmful airborne contaminants to enter your ducts and posing a risk to your health. Sealed ducts also help to conserve home heating and cooling costs by reducing unnecessary energy loss.
How can I tell if my ducts are leaking?
In the average home, 25% – 40% of the air circulating inside your duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections. If you live in an older home or you haven’t had your ducts inspected recently, chances are good that your air ducts need attention. So what are some signs that you might have leaky ducts?
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Exposed ductwork located in a crawlspace, unfinished basement, attic, or garage
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Kinks or sharp bends in the ductwork
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Rooms that are difficult to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter
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Excessive amounts of dust in your home, despite regular cleaning
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Rooms that regularly feel stuffy or congested
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Unreasonably high utility bills
Why should I be concerned?
Especially for allergy and asthma sufferers, leaky ducts can make breathing difficult and sometimes even dangerous. When ducts leak, air from the surrounding area is able to enter into the ductwork and mingle with the conditioned air. When this happens, unwanted contaminates are distributed throughout your home. It is not uncommon for the air entering through leaks to contain allergens and other dangerous fumes including:
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Dust, pollen, and other airborne particulates
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Moist air that can lead to condensation mold and/or mildew growth
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Vapor from household cleaning agents and other harmful substances
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Vehicle and small machine exhaust fumes
In addition to the health risks, a significant amount of energy is often lost when air ducts have even a small number of leaks. As a duct loses conditioned air, outside air is sucked in to replace it. This results in your heating or air conditioning unit working harder than necessary to maintain a comfortable room temperature. Overworking your system wastes energy and drives up cost.
Is there a fix?
If you suspect problems with your ducts, it is always recommended that you contact a qualified service professional. Unskilled attempts at sealing ducts can make a bad situation worse. Missing leaks or only fixing “major” leaks can lead to serious pressure imbalances. What’s more, the overall design of your ductwork system could be to blame, and this may require more specialized modification. Pippin Brothers specializes in diagnosing and sealing air ducts and assures that both energy efficiency and air quality improve. Our team of highly trained technicians is equipped with the knowledge and skill to fix air duct inconsistencies– the first time.
It’s also a good idea to be proactive when it comes to improving indoor air quality. Pippin Brothers offers a selection of indoor air quality products designed to clean and filter the air.