Energy Efficiency Tips from Ted: Is Your Home Breathing Easy?
Did you know your house has lungs? If your home has a forced-air heating and cooling system, you could say its ductwork serves as the lungs of the house. Just as healthy lungs help the body function properly, a well-designed and properly installed duct system plays a major role in your home’s comfort, indoor air circulation and overall energy efficiency.
But when was the last time you checked on your home’s “lungs”?
Poorly sealed or damaged ductwork can lead to significant energy losses in many homes. The good news is that a few simple inspections and improvements can help ensure your heating and cooling system operates at its best.
Start at the source
Begin by inspecting the area around your furnace or air handler while the system is running. Do you feel air escaping from the equipment or nearby connections? Even small leaks can reduce efficiency and waste energy.
Then follow the supply and return duct runs as far as you can. Look for obvious gaps, disconnected sections or leaks at joints and seams. Many of these problem areas can be sealed using foil tape specifically designed for ductwork or duct mastic, a paste commonly used by HVAC professionals to create airtight seals.
A simple test can help you determine whether air is moving properly throughout your home. Hold a tissue near each supply register. The airflow should cause the tissue to lift or flutter away from the register. Then check each return register. The tissue should be pulled toward the grille. You can also use a smoke source, such as incense, to observe airflow patterns.
If a register isn’t moving air as expected, it’s a sign that further investigation may be needed.
Inspect and insulate
Flexible ductwork is common in newer installations. Check for pinched sections, sharp bends, crushed areas or excessive sagging, all of which can restrict airflow.
Metal duct systems are generally durable but can develop leaks at seams, joints and collar connections. Flexible ducts most often leak where they connect to collars or the main trunk line.
Any ductwork located in unconditioned spaces — such as attics, crawl spaces or garages — should be properly insulated. Current energy codes recommend a minimum insulation value of R-8 for these ducts.
If ducts run through the attic, additional attic insulation covering the ductwork can help maintain more consistent air temperatures inside the ducts and reduce energy loss.
Also, check where registers penetrate ceilings, floors or walls adjacent to unconditioned spaces. Sealing around these openings can prevent unwanted air infiltration.
Breathe easier
Making sure conditioned air gets where it needs to go — and returns efficiently to your furnace or air handler — can improve comfort, enhance indoor air quality and increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Your home’s lungs work hard year-round. Giving them a little attention today can help you breathe easier — and save energy — tomorrow.
