Why You Should Seal Your Ducts This Winter

Forced air heating systems have a lot to offer. They’re relatively affordable, effective, and can operate in a wide variety of different homes. However, they are not perfect. If you’re using a centralized forced air heating system, like a furnace or heat pump, then you should be aware of one of the biggest problems that can afflict those systems: duct leaks. Let’s take a look at why duct leaks are such a problem, and why you should have your ducts sealed this winter.

Duct Leaks

Though they may look sturdy, ducts are actually incredibly fragile in a lot of ways. Minor mistakes made during installation can open up leaks, as can years of normal use. Though each individual duct leak is often quite small, they add up very quickly. The US Department of Energy has found that the average forced air system loses as much as 30% of its total output to duct leaks. That is nearly a third of the total output you’re paying for going to waste. Duct leaks both make your heating system less efficient, and your home less comfortable. If you want to save money and increase your comfort, you should seal the leaks in your ducts.

Duct Sealing

Duct sealing involves painting a substance called mastic into the leaks in the ducts. Mastic is a type of epoxy that, once dry, is stiff enough to seal the leak but flexible enough to move with the ducts without cracking. On occasion, the mastic is taped over with regulation duct tape. Duct sealing can restore that 30% output to your forced air heating system, making your heating season that much better. You should have your ducts sealed at least once every couple years to address new leaks.

Call Celco Heating and Air Conditioning for comprehensive duct sealing services. Our duct sealing professionals cover the entire Westport, CT area.