Eliminating The Energy Losses In Your Duct SystemMany homes in northeast Ohio experience dramatic energy losses through their ductwork. Ductwork is the circulation system of a building, and it can become inefficient in a variety of ways. From faulty installation to dirt buildup to air leaks, energy losses from ductwork can add more than 20 percent to your energy bill. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to turn the situation around.

Your ductwork should be designed for high performance before it’s even installed. Your contractor should assess the size of your heating and cooling system, and size the ducts in proportion to the equipment. Also, every room of your house has a unique heating and cooling load. The duct design should cater to each individual room’s needs.

If your ducts weren’t designed efficiently, retrofits may be possible to mitigate energy losses. For instance, upgrading the size of your return-supply air grilles can improve circulation.

Other factors that increase energy losses in ductwork include:

  • Air leaks
  • Disconnected joints
  • Kinked or crunched ducts
  • Insufficient or damaged insulation
  • Dust and dirt accumulation

If you have ducts that are accessible, perhaps located in your garage or crawl space, you can improve these areas yourself. Straighten out any kinks. Bind together any disconnected joints with strong aluminum tape. Seal any cracks or leaks with mastic, which can be gooey and messy before it hardens, but comes in convenient dispensers like caulk. Ensure that all your supply registers and return grilles are well connected to the sheet metal.

Dirt buildup is natural in any household system. However, it can reduce airflow through your ducts. If your ducts have never been cleaned, consider having them done. Duct cleaning actually involves cleaning your entire system, ensuring that any dangerous mold or microbes are totally eliminated so they can’t be recirculated through the house  or repopulate the equipment.

Efficient ductwork consumes less energy, improves household circulation and keeps you more comfortable. If you’d like our team of professionals to help you minimize energy losses in your ducts, contact Stack Heating & Cooling. We’re proud to serve northeast Ohio homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about eliminating energy loss and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!     

Energy Savings image via Shutterstock

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