According to Energy Star, leaky ducts reduce heating and cooling efficiency by 20% in a typical home. That’s a huge waste of your hard-earned money, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

In our experience, ductwork leaks are a result of poorly connected and poorly installed duct systems. Here’s a list of ways to seal your ductwork and stop overpaying to heat and cool your home:

  • Pull down all of your air registers (also known as air “grills” or vent covers) and caulk with silicone between your duct boot and the surrounding sheetrock.
  • If you’ve got flexible ductwork, pull back the outer insulation layer and apply mastic to the collar of the duct boot.
  • After you’ve done that, take the interior vinyl section of the duct and reconnect it to the boot collar.
  • Use a duct tie to strap the vinyl around the boot collar, ensuring an airtight seal.
  • Pull the insulation layer back over the vinyl and use mastic to secure the insulation to the boot.
  • Make sure your boot is properly insulated.
  • Pull the insulation layer back where the duct connects to the indoor unit and repeat steps 2-3.
  • For hard pipe ducts, pull back the insulation and seal all connections and elbows with mastic. Then re-insulate.

Sealing your ductwork keeps the air you pay to heat and cool inside your home. After all, that’s where it belongs.

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