Environmentally Friendly Ductwork Is the Way to Go Nowadays

The average household suffers HVAC energy losses of around 30% due to ductwork leaks. However, even ducts that lose no energy at all may still be bad for the environment. Here’s why it’s important to invest in environmentally friendly ductwork.

What Is Environmentally Friendly Ductwork?

Typical ducts are made from sheet metal and surrounded by insulation made from fiberglass. Even if the metal is recycled, it’s still rigid and heavy, necessitating the use of even more materials to keep it supported.

Green ductwork is made from cloth that’s sturdy enough to transport air from one place to another but light enough that it saves on materials and other resources. Not only that, it’s easier to install and quieter than metal ductwork.

The fiberglass insulation, meanwhile, is made with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — chemicals which release from the material over time and are bad for your health and for the environment. Green insulation eliminates VOCs, as well as reducing the risk of mold and bacteria in your ductwork.

Benefits of Environmentally Friendly Ductwork

In addition to being better for the environment, green ductwork has several other benefits for your home. It reduces energy losses, lowering your energy bill by up to 30%. This is because green ductwork reduces the likelihood of air leaks and heat loss.

The more air that’s able to reach your home safely and the more heat energy it’s able to retain on the journey, the more efficiently your home will reach your ideal temperature. The increased efficiency also helps to eliminate temperature disparity throughout your home, allowing for a more even temperature rather than creating hot and cold spots.

The reduced risk of mold and bacteria is another significant benefit. If mold grows in your ductwork, it can cause serious health problems, as those spores are circulated through your entire home. Once there’s mold in your ducts, it’s very expensive to get rid of.

For help making your ductwork and your entire HVAC system more environmentally friendly, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin trust us to keep their homes comfortable and green.