Come summertime, nobody wants to be caught without an air conditioning system. On some days, a good central air conditioner is the only thing that will keep your home feeling even mildly comfortable. As good as it is, though, a central air conditioner is not a perfect system. There is one big disadvantage associated with central air conditioning, and that is energy inefficiency due to the ventilation system. Read on to find out more about this disadvantage and how duct sealing can solve it.
Duct Leaks
Ducts may seem sturdy, but they’re actually one of the most vulnerable parts of your air conditioning system. Even small mistakes during installation can open up leaks in the ducts, and years of flexing with normal use can do the same. While this may not seem like a big deal, it actually is quite harmful to the efficiency of forced-air systems. The US Department of Energy has estimated that the average forced air system loses up to 30% of its output to leaks in the ductwork. That’s roughly a third of the total output you pay for that ends up going to waste. Duct leaks lead to much higher operating costs, as the air conditioner has to stay on for longer periods of time to accomplish the same temperature decrease.
Duct Sealing
The best way to combat this problem is by having your ducts professionally sealed. This process involves having your HVAC technician locate all the leaks in your ducts, then paint them over with mastic. Mastic is a substance that, once dry, is stiff enough to seal the ducts but flexible enough to move with them without cracking. This will significantly improve your air conditioner efficiency, saving you money in the process.
If you need your air ducts sealed, call Sunset Air. We provide duct sealing services throughout Olympia, WA.
