Air duct sealing - Improved system performance

BENEFITS • SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Leaky Ducts Lead To

DECREASED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

And poor system performance leads to greater costs.

GET THE EFFICIENCY YOU PAID FOR

Sealing your ducts is the best way to achieve maximum efficiency from your equipment.

SEER & AFUE in the chart to the side are energy efficiency ratings, like MPG in your car. These ratings are based on testing done in the ideal sealed environment. To get the best performance and efficiency in your home your ventilation system needs to be properly engineered for your home.  The furnace and AC needs to be sized appropriately for your home. Then of course the duct work needs to be installed correctly and in good repair.  Fortunately we have strong codes that ensure these are the standard in all homes.  That means the potential to have a HVAC system run nearly as efficient as the ratings claim is available to nearly all homes in the US. However the codes and enforcement for sealing that system after installation is historically lacking across the US. The problem is so wide spread that according to the US Department of Energy 95% of US homes have leaky ducts. Nationally the average home leaks about 25-40%. In my experience Wisconsin homes tend to leak much more just due to the type of home construction in our area. 


Quality construction and hand sealing can only go so far. Too many of the leaks are in areas that simply cannot be reached.  Our Aeroseal system is the only method to seal your entire system. We use pressured sealant to locate all leaks then quickly and permanently seal them.


Source: Comfort Institute. Based on Department of Energy Research and FL Energy Office Research Report: FSEC-CR-397-91 Degradation above is typical. Impact is up to 50% greater on AC performance if return air leakage is from a hot attic or attached garage. Impact is typically 50% to 100% greater on winter heating performance of a heat pump with electric resistance auxiliary heat. 

25-40% ENERGY LOSS

“Typical duct systems lose 25-40 percent of the heating and cooling energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump or air conditioner . Duct repairs could be the most important energy improvement measure you can do .”

U.S. Department of Energy Consumer Report 


A leaky system will effect efficiency in many ways.  

  • It will pull hot air out of the attic through the wall cavity returns.  A 10% leak from the attic can cause a 30% loss of efficiency.
  • The conditioned air can leak into unwanted areas, like your unfinished basement, wall spaces between rooms, attic or even the cabinets under your sink. The whole system now has to run longer to produce enough to condition the additional areas.
  • The cumulative leaks can pull away enough air flow to where there is just not enough conditioned air getting into some rooms. To compensate for this you may buy additional or larger equipment and fans using more energy. 
  • The additional run time requires more frequent repairs and replacement.
  • The dust drawn into the system from leaks clogs the filter.  A dirty filter stains the system leading to more frequent repairs. 


"My system run time dropped from about 5 hours each day to 3 hours after we had SE Cleaners seal our system".
- Nick V. Evansville Wi

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW A/C OR HEATING SYSTEM?

Don’t let your old ducts keep you from getting the high performance you are paying for!

An investment in a new high efficiency heating and cooling system should save significantly on your utility bills. However, you won’t save much if your existing ductwork is in bad shape.

Plus, if you’re planning to install new heating and cooling equipment, a well-designed and sealed duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better dehumidification.

Call 608-752-5326 or message us here to set up an in home evaluation

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