Whether on a frigid winter night or a hot summer day, you rely on your furnace and AC to run efficiently and to keep you comfortable from the elements. What about the other major component of your HVAC system that delivers the conditioned airflow — your ductwork? Keep reading for tips about how to maintain air duct efficiency in your Dayton-area home to achieve better comfort and energy savings.
Duct Efficiency and Airflow Leaks
The federal Energy Star program reports that about 20 to 30% of the air moving through the ductwork in the average home is lost because of leaks, holes, and ducts that are poorly installed. That amounts to a huge amount of wasted energy and unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace and AC. Duct leaks, holes, and separated seams are best repaired by your HVAC technician using mastic, mesh tape, and metal tape.
Duct Efficiency and Heat-Energy Losses
Another culprit that reduces duct efficiency is the loss of heat energy through the duct walls. Air ducts are typically installed outside of the living spaces in unconditioned areas of the home. There can be great temperature differences between the conditioned airflow inside the ducts and the air in unconditioned spaces surrounding the ductwork.
Since the typical duct system is made from thin sheet metal, heat energy is easily transferred between conditioned airflow and the air in unconditioned spaces. To solve this problem, have insulation installed on the ducts that are in unconditioned areas.
Duct Efficiency and Airflow Problems
Airflow problems in the ductwork and inside the living spaces can drastically reduce duct efficiency. Airflow problems inside the ductwork typically stem from incorrectly sized ducts. Airflow problems inside the living spaces are typically caused by not having enough return vents in the home.
If the problem is incorrectly sized ducts, your ductwork system may need to be retrofitted so that airflow is evenly distributed through the home. The problem of not having enough return vents in the home could be solved with jumper ducts and transfer grilles.
If you need help improving duct efficiency in your home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services today.
