Winter is the time of year when many homeowners seek ways to reduce energy consumption and lower heating costs. Most efforts typically focus on a home’s furnace or boiler. And while tackling heating system performance at the source can be effective, even the most efficient furnace can still waste energy if it is blowing air through leaky and poorly insulated ducts. 

In a lot of ways, the deck is stacked against homeowners right from the start when it comes to duct efficiency. To begin with, ducts are typically made of a thin metal layer that conducts heat easily. Ductwork is also usually located in unconditioned areas like garages, attics and crawl spaces.

One of the best things you can do to combat energy losses through your ducts is by installing ductwork insulation. Insulating ducts is a three-step process:

• Inspect your ducts for leaks: Leaky ducts will still be inefficient even with insulation, so this is an important first step. It’s usually a good idea to hire a contractor for this step to ensure your ducts are checked thoroughly.
• Seal any leaks in your ductwork with duct sealant: Leaks are most common at duct connections, but cracks and holes can form anywhere. Depending on how accessible your ductwork is, you might be able to complete this step yourself, or you might need professional assistance.
• Insulate your ducts: Two types of insulation are often used to insulate ducts: fiberglass blankets and rigid foam board. Both types have their advantages, and either may be used in most homes. Fiberglass insulation is inexpensive and easy to install, but foam board is more efficient.

Insulating your ducts can make your HVAC system more efficient, which can reduce your summer cooling costs as well as your winter heating bills.

For more information on the potential benefits of ductwork insulation, or to schedule an appointment to have your ducts inspected, contact Powers Heating and Air. We provide year-round heating and cooling service in the Peachtree City area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about ductwork insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Powers Heating & Air serves Peachtree, GA and the surrounding areas.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Insulation image via Shutterstock