Ductwork is an integral part of any Seattle home HVAC system. It moves heated or cooled air between your air handler and the rooms of your home and it usually contains the filtration and humidity control devices needed to keep your air clean and healthy. Unfortunately, despite how important ductwork is, many homeowners ignore it, even when extra sealing is needed.
What Duct Sealing Does
Duct work ideally should be a closed environment. Crafted of sheet metal, duct work is tasked with keeping the conditioned air in one place until it can be delivered to each room of your house. If gaps open between ductwork or if it starts to erode with time, you lose a lot of conditioned air, and you guessed it, your bills go up.
Unsealed ductwork forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, increasing your energy bill in the process. The lack of sealing also makes it possible for things like exhaust fumes to escape the ventilation system and enter your home. This is a serious air quality issue and can be harmful to your health.
Solving the Problem
Fortunately, the problem is pretty easy to fix. You just need to have your ductwork checked on a regular basis and sealed when a problem is found. Checking the pressure retention in your ductwork will usually uncover any gaps that need to be sealed and with modern technology, inspections are easier than ever.
How do you know when this is needed? Look for spikes in your energy bill or uneven cooling or heating in your home. If your upstairs bedroom simply doesn’t stay warm, you may need to have your ductwork inspected a little more thoroughly. Don’t forget your ductwork – it is just as vital a component in your HVAC system as the furnace, air conditioner or air handler.
