Air Duct Sealing: Definition and What it is
The process of sealing air ducts to prevent air leakage and improve HVAC efficiency.
What is Air Duct Sealing?
Air duct sealing is a critical home performance upgrade that addresses leaks, gaps, and disconnections in your HVAC ductwork system. Studies show that typical duct systems lose 20-30% of conditioned air through leaks, gaps, and poor connections.
Your ductwork serves as the circulatory system of your home's heating and cooling. When ducts leak, conditioned air escapes into unconditioned spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and wall cavities—driving up energy bills while reducing comfort. Professional air duct sealing uses specialized materials like mastic sealant or metal-backed tape (not standard duct tape) to permanently seal these leaks.
Air Duct Sealing Methods
- Manual Sealing: Technicians apply mastic sealant or specialized tape to visible leaks and connections
- Aeroseal Technology: Automated sealing that sprays polymer particles throughout the duct system to seal leaks from the inside
- Combination Approach: Manual sealing of accessible areas combined with aeroseal for hidden sections
When Should You Seal Air Ducts?
Air duct sealing is most beneficial when you notice uneven heating or cooling, excessive dust, high energy bills despite efficient HVAC equipment, or during major renovations. It's typically performed alongside insulation upgrades and is especially important in homes with ductwork in unconditioned spaces. A professional energy audit can identify the severity of duct leakage and whether sealing will provide cost-effective returns.
Benefits of Air Duct Sealing
- Reduce energy bills by 15-30% through reduced HVAC runtime
- Improve comfort with more even temperature distribution
- Better indoor air quality by preventing dust and contaminants from entering ducts
- Extended HVAC equipment lifespan due to reduced strain
- Increased home value and energy efficiency ratings
Air Duct Sealing Cost
Air duct sealing costs vary based on home size, ductwork accessibility, and the chosen method.
- Home size (typical range: $1,000-$2,500 for average homes)
- Ductwork complexity and accessibility
- Sealing method (Aeroseal typically costs more than manual)
- Regional labor rates
- Combination with other energy upgrades
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