Ductwork

Out of sight ductwork improvements save money

One of the biggest energy wasters in American homes is a leaky duct system. As you may already know, you can lose as much as one-third of your heat or cooled air through leaks or fissures in your duct system. Duct leaks can reduce efficiency of both the heating and air conditioning systems too.

What you may not know is that in addition to cost, an equally important consideration is improving indoor air quality. Ducts pull air from the attic, basement, or crawl spaces. This air is often laden with dust, molds, and residual toxins that may have resulted from pesticide treatment.

Before having ductwork done, have a pressure test done and obtain a baseline to see how extensive the leakage is. Insulate your ductwork, after you have it sealed, to increase energy savings.

Before selecting a contractor, ask for copies of licensing and insurance which are required in your state. Read the contract carefully and make sure you understand the terms, condition, and the scope of work as well as warranties and maintenance.

Also, check with your local energy providers, and state and local government for programs that provide incentives or rebates to weatherize your home. In many parts of the country, efforts ar being made to encourage homeowners to conserve energy by replacing windows, installing high efficiency heat pumps, and sealing and insulating ductwork.