Trade Skills Duct Sealing

2 In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. But in typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. But in typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

3 Some signs that a home may have leaky, poorly insulated, or inefficient ducts: –you have high summer and winter utility bills –you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool –you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable – your ducts are located in an attic, unfinished basement, crawlspace, or the garage Some signs that a home may have leaky, poorly insulated, or inefficient ducts: –you have high summer and winter utility bills –you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool –you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable – your ducts are located in an attic, unfinished basement, crawlspace, or the garage

4 Common Duct Problems

5 What is Duct Sealing Duct sealing is the sealing of leaks in air ducts in order to reduce air leakage, optimize efficiency, and control entry of pollutants into the home or building. Air pressure combined with air duct leakage can lead to a loss of energy in a HVAC system and duct sealing solves issues of energy loss in the system. Duct sealing is the sealing of leaks in air ducts in order to reduce air leakage, optimize efficiency, and control entry of pollutants into the home or building. Air pressure combined with air duct leakage can lead to a loss of energy in a HVAC system and duct sealing solves issues of energy loss in the system.

6 FIND LEAKS IN YOUR DUCT SYSTEM Most air leaks occur at duct joints and connections, including at the initial connection to the furnace or air conditioner, at branches in the duct system, and at the vents where a duct meets the floor, wall, or ceiling. Little or no air leaks through the plastic or metal walls of ducts. Most air leaks occur at duct joints and connections, including at the initial connection to the furnace or air conditioner, at branches in the duct system, and at the vents where a duct meets the floor, wall, or ceiling. Little or no air leaks through the plastic or metal walls of ducts.

7 Signs of air leaks in duct work Look for: –streaks of dirt around registers or duct connections holes and duct joints that are connected mechanically and not sealed, paying special attention to joints near the furnace and air conditioner unit Duct penetrations in walls and floors as these are common areas for leakage. Look for: –streaks of dirt around registers or duct connections holes and duct joints that are connected mechanically and not sealed, paying special attention to joints near the furnace and air conditioner unit Duct penetrations in walls and floors as these are common areas for leakage.

8 SEAL LEAKS WITH MASTIC & TAPE OR AEROSOL SEALANTS Since most ducts are hidden under floors and in walls, a professional contractor can help make sure the duct system is sealed tightly. You can seal ducts in many different ways: –Tapes and Mastic –Aerosol Sealants Since most ducts are hidden under floors and in walls, a professional contractor can help make sure the duct system is sealed tightly. You can seal ducts in many different ways: –Tapes and Mastic –Aerosol Sealants

9 Tapes and Mastic You can seal ducts with metal- backed (foil) tape or duct mastic. –Don t use duct tape it does not seal joints well and has a very short life expectancy. You can also use a special butyl or foil tape. This is soft malleable aluminum foil coated with a high temperature adhesive to seal small holes and duct joints. If applied correctly, foil tape is more effective than mastic, You can seal ducts with metal- backed (foil) tape or duct mastic. –Don t use duct tape it does not seal joints well and has a very short life expectancy. You can also use a special butyl or foil tape. This is soft malleable aluminum foil coated with a high temperature adhesive to seal small holes and duct joints. If applied correctly, foil tape is more effective than mastic,

10 Aerosol Sealants The sealant is blown into the ducts where it remains suspended until it finds a leak. The particles attach to the edges of leaks and build up until it is sealed. requires a trained technician to properly apply, aerosol sealants typically come with a minimum ten year warranty and excellent results. The sealant is blown into the ducts where it remains suspended until it finds a leak. The particles attach to the edges of leaks and build up until it is sealed. requires a trained technician to properly apply, aerosol sealants typically come with a minimum ten year warranty and excellent results.