When was the last time you thought about your ducts? Probably not for quite a while. That\u2019s not really your fault. They\u2019re designed to be as out of the way as possible, after all. However, that doesn\u2019t mean that they don\u2019t need professional services from time to time. Ducts are actually very vulnerable to problems if left alone for long enough, especially leaks.<\/p>\n
While duct leaks may not seem like much, they can actually have a serious negative effect on your air conditioner efficiency. Read on to find out more about duct leaks, and how duct sealing can make your air conditioner more efficient.<\/p>\n
Duct leaks can form for any number of reasons. A mistake made during installation can open a hole in the duct very easily, as can simple flexing from normal use. Regardless of the cause, though, the effects can be extremely negative. The US Department of Energy has estimated<\/a> that as much as 30% of an average forced-air system\u2019s output is lost to duct leaks. That means that you\u2019re paying 30% more for your air conditioning that you should be, thanks to leaks in your ductwork.<\/p>\n If you want your air conditioner to stop wasting energy, and save you some money in the process, you\u2019re going to need to have your ducts sealed. Duct sealing involves finding and closing any leaks that are present in your ducts. This is done by painting over them with a substance called \u201cmastic.\u201d Mastic is a kind of putty, similar to sheetrock in terms of texture. The mastic is airtight once dry, but flexible enough to move with the ducts without cracking. With proper duct sealing, you should immediately notice a drop in your air conditioning operating costs.<\/p>\nDuct Sealing<\/h3>\n