Update Your Ductwork

for Comfort

and Savings

Ducts channel air to and from your HVAC unit, which means they significantly impact the indoor air quality, temperature, and comfort of every room. A duct system is also referred to as ductwork. In many homes, residential HVAC duct insulation plays an essential role in helping the ductwork system operate efficiently and consistently.

Duct replacement can contribute to lower energy bills and increased comfort by helping your HVAC system distribute air more efficiently throughout your home. Old ductwork can be leaky and contaminated, and may cause even new heating and cooling equipment to not deliver the results you expect. Efficient ductwork helps your systems run more effectively, reducing energy waste by compensating for airflow losses. Proper residential HVAC duct insulation can also support quieter operation by reducing strain on the system. Insulated duct board can also reduce system noise compared to metal ducts, as well as help to reduce noise transmission between rooms for a quieter home.

Yes and no. Ductwork doesn’t directly affect the performance of your HVAC unit itself; however, it does impact the overall efficiency of the system. Your HVAC unit produces heated and cooled air, but it depends on your duct system to deliver that air efficiently to reach the desired temperature. So, imagine you buy a brand-new AC unit, and you pay more to get a great unit with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. (The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient--and often more expensive--the cooling unit is) Even though the unit performs as promised, leaky ductwork can reduce the delivered SEER (the ACTUAL efficiency of the system overall) by 20 to 30%--meaning you’re only getting 70 to 80% of the performance you’re paying for.

A poorly performing duct system can cause extra wear and tear on your HVAC equipment, which decreases its efficiency while increasing your energy bills. Leaky and worn-out ducts can cause your HVAC system to work harder to heat and cool your home. In addition to higher monthly bills, this excess load can cause equipment to wear out sooner than it should. Having your ducts inspected may help you avoid costly repair bills and optimize equipment life. Having a home energy audit with an Owens Corning AirCare® Professional can help identify areas in the system that may be losing efficiency.

If you’ve noticed that your furnace or air conditioning unit is constantly running or that your energy bills seem high, there could be a problem with your duct system. The 3Rs refer to resealing, resizing, and reinsulating your duct system. These are common steps taken to restore proper airflow, improve comfort, and ensure effective residential duct insulation. The best way to know for sure is to have an HVAC professional inspect your system for leaks, incorrectly sized ductwork, and whether your attic is properly insulated. First, a visual inspection will take place for obvious flaws. For less obvious problems, your contractor may use specialized equipment to test for defects and duct leakage using a blower fan or a thermal imaging camera. Next, the airflow rate at the system fan is measured for overall efficiency. Once these tests have been performed and a diagnosis is made, the contractor will share and discuss the results with you to determine whether or not your system would benefit from resealing, resizing, or reinsulating.

There are several potential causes for excess dust in the home. Poorly sealed ducts may pull in dust from your attic or basement, contributing to the problem. In some cases, missing or inadequate home duct insulation can also contribute to airflow problems that stir up and circulate more dust. If you suspect your duct system may be a factor, talk to your HVAC professional and have your duct system inspected.

If the air coming out of your registers has a musty odor while your air conditioner is running, there could be mold and mildew in your HVAC system. Because mold spores can be distributed throughout your home via your duct system, it can become a health hazard, especially for people who are prone to allergies. Older duct systems may benefit from retrofit duct insulation to help control condensation and reduce moisture-related issues. If you notice a strong smell or musty odor coming from the vents in your home, contact a reputable HVAC professional and have your HVAC unit and ductwork inspected.

A properly insulated home, combined with properly sized and sealed ductwork, helps save money on your energy bills by reducing waste and optimizing the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. If you’ve been wondering how to lower energy bills, improving your home’s insulation and duct performance is a great place to start.

Adequate insulation serves as a barrier to heat flow. This barrier keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The rules of thermodynamics tell us that heat always wants to mix with cool until the temperature difference no longer exists. During the heating season, when temperatures are colder outside the home, insulation provides a thermal envelope to help retain the heat inside the occupied space. During the cooling season, insulation is an effective tool in keeping the hot air outside the home and cooled air inside.

Your ductwork can also benefit from insulation. Duct insulation helps maintain the temperature of the air inside the ducts, quiets the sound of your air handling system, and helps reduce room-to-room noise through your ducts. All of these benefits of residential HVAC duct insulation help make your home a quiet, comfortable place to be. There are several ways to create an insulated duct system. You can add insulation to metal ducts by adding a separate insulating liner or wrap. You can also replace or supplement metal ductwork with an all-in-one product, such as insulated duct board or flexible insulated duct. Consult with your HVAC contractor to determine the best solution for your specific needs.

Choose a contractor who is knowledgeable about duct systems as a whole, one who is properly trained and equipped with the testing instruments required to help you identify and solve any pre-existing ductwork problems. This choice is especially important when installing a new HVAC system.

If you suspect you may need a duct update, here are some good questions to ask your contractor: Do you use a camera or thermal imaging camera to inspect my ducts? Are my ducts operating at full efficiency? Are my ducts sized appropriately for my system? Is my attic properly insulated? Can you check my ducts for leaks? Even the ones I can’t see? I’m thinking about replacing my HVAC unit. Does that mean upgrading my ducts, too? Why is my HVAC unit so loud? When I turn on the air, it smells like mildew. What could be causing that?