Home Sealing and Insulation Are Essential to A/C Efficiency

Duct sealing and insulation are two factors that are critical to your air conditioning system’s energy efficiency. You can have the most energy-efficient heat pump on the market, but your air conditioning costs will remain high unless you take measures to reduce energy losses from your home’s ductwork.

If you spend money on duct sealing and insulation before you install a new A/C system or replace your existing equipment, you may be able to buy smaller equipment which will cost less upfront and over its life span. A tight duct system will also keep the indoor air clean and home more comfortable.

Here are some factors to consider when increasing your ductwork efficiency:

• Repair loose connections – Duct sections should be fastened with screws or clamps to keep them from coming apart due to thermal expansion and structural shifting. Grills at supply and return registers should be securely fastened to prevent air leaks between walls and ducts.
• Seal seams and joints with mastic – Mastic or metal tape that’s specifically designed for air conditioning ducts should be used for sealing duct seams and joints. Common cloth duct tape deteriorates quickly in harsh conditions and shouldn’t be used on ductwork.
• Repair or replace flex ducts – Flexible ducts are easily crushed or kinked during installation and by subsequent settling due to insufficient support. Flex ducts that cannot be straightened enough to prevent airflow restrictions should be replaced.
• Insulate ducts properly – Ductwork should be insulated anywhere it runs through unconditioned spaces such as your attic or crawl space. Ducts that aren’t insulated can lose a significant amount of energy due to heat conduction between a hot attic or crawl space and the cold conditioned air inside the duct. Insulation should be sealed with a vapor barrier to prevent condensation from interfering with the insulation’s effectiveness.

Call us at Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical, LLC for help with duct sealing and insulation in your Palm Beach home. We can help you achieve the highest efficiency from your air conditioning system.

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