Your forced-air heating and cooling system depends heavily on a quality system of air ducts. Your ductwork provides the circuit for conditioned air to reach various areas of your home, and problems in the circuit can affect your indoor air quality, home comfort levels and energy bills. Duct maintenance is important for ensuring optimum performance.

Fixing Leaky Air Ducts

The ductwork in your home can be responsible for between 25 and 40 percent of your heating and cooling costs. Leaks can increase this effect further. In addition, leaks can lead to poor airflow in parts of your home and a resulting compromise in comfort levels.
You can do a preliminary diagnosis of leaks at exposed ducts in your home. Primary ducts near your furnace, for example, are somewhat easy to inspect visually. A lightweight material like tissue paper can be used to check for sealing issues. You can inspect the delivery duct by holding the paper near joints, noting movement based on air coming from the joints. You’ll find that a leak in your return duct will lead to the tissue being sucked against the joint.
Different types of sealant can be used to seal these areas. While you may think that duct tape is the obvious solution, it’s actually not a great choice. The stickiness of duct tape is limited, wearing off over time. Additionally, duct tape isn’t fireproof. It’s wise to work with a foil tape that is designed specifically for your ducts. There are also paint-on sealants or caulking products that can be used.
Benefits of Professional Air Ducts Maintenance

While large return and delivery ducts may be visible and accessible, it’s possible that smaller branched ducts can have leakage issues. Safe and effective sealing may require access to areas that aren’t obvious. Proper safety gear and techniques are required to correctly seal some ducts, and a certified HVAC contractor is both trained and equipped for this type of work.
In some cases, ducts can be damaged to the point of requiring replacement of some sections. In other cases, poor design of a system of ducts can affect pressure levels and comfort in parts of the home. A professional can diagnose these problems and present solutions.
Regular diagnostics on your ducts and AC system can provide you with an easy way to avoid serious problems like high bills and AC repair needs. Seasonal tune-ups provide your certified technician with the opportunity to fine-tune your mechanical equipment while checking your ducts for dirt and leaks. This service can extend the life of your entire system, eliminating the majority of AC repair needs in your home.
The optimization of your equipment and ducts can improve your home comfort significantly while lowering your energy bills. Lee’s Air Conditioning provides comprehensive service and repairs to the residents of Youngsville, LA, and we will be happy to help you with any duct or AC issues you are experiencing in your home. Give us a call anytime.