Duct efficiency plays a crucial role in your home’s comfort levels and energy use. An efficient duct system delivers conditioned air to the rooms in your home more effectively, ensuring consistent temperatures throughout your home. Your utility bills also reduce when you improve your duct efficiency. What’s more, if you have an efficient ductwork design, you can install a smaller and less-costly HVAC system.
But how do you build an efficient duct system to get these benefits? Read on to learn some useful techniques and practices that will help you achieve duct efficiency.
Place Ductwork in Conditioned Spaces
Ducts installed in conditioned air at room temperature operate more efficiently than ductwork in unconditioned spaces. The simplest way to install ducts in conditioned spaces is by hiding them in corners of your rooms or dropped ceilings. They can also be located in sealed and well-insulated chases that extend into your attic or are built into a raised floor.
Seal Your Ducts
Leaks and poorly sealed duct connections can waste as much as 20% of the air you pay to cool or heat. Sealing your ductwork is especially important if your ducts are located in unconditioned areas like the crawl space or the attic. Duct mastic, butyl tapes, foil tape, and other Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-approved, heat-activated tapes are good options for sealing your ducts.
Insulate Your Ducts
Ducts that haven’t been insulated adequately can experience thermal losses, particularly if they’re in unconditioned spaces. Using insulation with the right R-value can prevent the conduction of heat or cold from your duct walls. Fiberglass duct board is one of the most thermally efficient and cost-effective types of insulation you can use.
When doing or redoing your ductwork, it’s best to seek professional help to achieve the best duct efficiency. An HVAC professional will know how to make the appropriate repairs and changes to your ductwork, as well as the best sealing materials to use. To learn more about duct efficiency and how you can get the most out of your duct network, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We help Lorain-area homeowners with every aspect of their HVAC needs.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area