Get Your Ducts Sealed to Improve AC Efficiency This Summer

As we get closer and closer to summer, you’re probably going to want to schedule professional services for your air conditioner. Maintenance is a good idea for making sure that your air conditioner is in good shape before you start using it more often. However, it’s not the only thing you should consider. Let’s take a look at how duct sealing can help make your air conditioner more efficient this summer.

Why Duct Sealing is a Good Idea

Ducts are incredibly vulnerable to developing leaks. The smallest mistake made during installation can open leaks in the ductwork, but even years of normal use can cause gaps to form as the ducts flex with the changes in air temperature. While individual duct leaks are pretty small, their cumulative effects are significant. The US Department of Energy has estimated that the average forced air system loses up to 30% of its output to duct leaks. That means that almost a third of the total output that you pay for is being lost to duct leaks every time you turn on your air conditioner. This is why it’s so important to get your ducts sealed.

The Process

Once all of the leaks in your ducts have been located, the usual way to seal them is by painting over them with a substance called mastic. Mastic is a type of epoxy that, once it dries, is stiff enough to seal the leak but flexible enough to move with the ducts without cracking. Depending on how bad the leak is, the mastic might be supplemented with regulation duct tape. Unlike regular duct tape, which is (ironically enough) not good for duct sealing, regulation duct tape contains metallic layers that help it to keep a tight seal.

Bell Plumbing and Heating offers a full range of duct sealing services throughout Denver, CO.