“Duct”ing the High Cost of Energy

A thief lurks behind walls, in the attic, or in the crawl space of your home.  It steals your comfort and robs you of hard-earned energy dollars.

Lisa Crosley, President, Lifestyle Comfort Solutions explains the critical role air ducts play in your comfort…and in protecting your wallet.

What is Duct Work?

Ducts carry conditioned air—warm or cool—throughout your home and into the living spaces where you need it.  Out of sight, out of mind. Hidden behind walls, ceilings, and floors.

Most ducts are made of metal.  Where ducts must make sharp turns, or navigate difficult angles, fabric duct may be used alongside metal ducts.

Why are Ducts so Important?

In years past, when fuel was relatively inexpensive, few contractors and homeowners concerned themselves with leaky ducts. Today, we know better.

  • Leaky ducts cost you money. Today, the Department of Energy estimates that, nationwide, the average duct system leaks forty percent of the conditioned air out of the duct before it reaches its destination.  On a practical level, this means you are wasting 40 cents of every energy dollar. Since heating/cooling is the single biggest energy user in your home, leaky ducts reach into your pocket for significant dollars.
  • Leaky ducts cost you comfort.   Summer’s cool air and Winter’s warm air pours out into unoccupied spaces before you enjoy the comfort it could provide.
  • Leaky ducts are unhealthy.  Leaky ducts pull air from dirty spaces like attics and crawl spaces.  This contaminated air introduces bugs, dusts, rodent feces, mold/mildew, and other allergens into the air you breath.
  • Leaky ducts age your heating/cooling system. Leaky ducts cause your equipment to work harder and longer, shortening the life of your equipment.

What is the Solution?

Duct sealing is the single best way to improve the energy efficiency of your home—a higher priority than replacing windows or blowing in insulation!

Leaky ducts are best diagnosed with the use of specialized equipment during a Lifestyle Comfort Solutions’ Home and Duct Performance test.  The test takes about 2-3 hours, and homeowners are invited to participate.  A duct performance test is interesting to watch…and fun to help complete.  Your home isn’t altered in any way.  Once the test is completed, you won’t even know we’ve been there.

After leaks are located, the ducts may be sealed by hand or with systems which repair from the inside out. Whatever way you choose, duct repair is the best way to “duct” high energy costs and to enjoy ultimate comfort.  Call Lifestyle Comfort Solutions today at 937.20234520 to schedule duct repair, or request service online.