Did you know sealing and insulating your ducts can improve efficiency by 20% or even more? Seriously. So why wouldn’t you start now?! Your air ducts that circulate the air in your home to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are some of the biggest energy wasters. Without proper insulation, or if there are any holes punctures or misalignments, you could be blowing a lot of money every month – both literally and metaphorically. Here’s how to figure out if your ducts are performing poorly, and how to get started sealing and insulating those ducts now so you’re more comfortable once the cooler weather sets into Omaha for good.

Do Your Ducts Perform Poorly?

Here are some telltale signs that your air ducts could use proper sealing or insulation:

you have high summer and winter utility bills
you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool
you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage
you find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system

Seal Your Ducts

First of all, make sure you’re using the right sealing materials. Use mastic sealant or metal tape. Do not use duct tape. Start by insulating all of the ducts that you can access, such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages. Also, check that the connections at the vents and registers are well sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common trouble spots for leaks and disconnections.

Insulate Your Ducts

Insulate ducts in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages where they are most likely to experience temperature differences. Be sure to use a foil-faced fiberglass insulation with an R-6 or higher insulation value. Use the same type of metallic foil duct tape to seal and hold the insulation in place. Make sure the foil surface of the insulation is free of dust before applying the tape.

Call the heating and cooling team you can trust at Getzschman Heating & Cooling at 402-235-6727 to help you get your heating equipment ready for the long winter ahead.