Plugging The Leaks In Your Ductwork: Choose Your Products With Care

With the cooler weather not far away, many Florida homeowners are seeking ways to make their homes more energy efficient. One relatively simple way to save energy is to seal leaky ducts. You can lose a significant amount of your conditioned air, and consequently your energy dollars, through leaks in your ductwork. When pursuing this project, though, make sure you take care in choosing your products.

Choosing the right materials

The key to doing an effective job in repairing your leaky ductwork is to choose the right material for the job. There are two primary kinds of duct-sealing materials. The first is a high-quality tape covered with metallic foil (not to be confused with common duct tape). Just apply this tape over the leaky areas. The second material is mastic sealant. Mastic is very strong, and can be easily applied with a caulking gun, trowel or brush. Mastic comes in three types: water-based, solvent-based and a two-compound curing type. Of the three, the water-based mastic is superior in almost every way.

Ductwork insulation

As long as you’re working on your ductwork, apply insulation around ducts that run through unconditioned parts of your home such as the crawlspace or attic. Even if you seal the leaks in your ductwork, you can still lose a lot of energy when heat transfers through the metal surface of the ductwork.

Sealing leaks in your ductwork is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable for you and your family. If you need help sealing your ductwork, please contact us at NisAir Air Conditioning & Heating. We have served Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Indian River counties since 1973.