The average American home loses up to 30% of heated and cooled air because of flaws in the ductwork.
The duct system is a network of pipes that are largely concealed behind walls and ceilings and inside crawl spaces, garages, basements and attics.
Due to poor design and wear and tear, separations can develop at the seams. Small holes can form. Conditioned air travels through the duct system multiple times per day. The air that is heated by the furnace or cooled by the air conditioner is distributed to the rooms of the home by way of the supply ductwork. The stale air is circulated back to the furnace and air conditioner through return ducts. Any imperfection results in air loss. Holes in supply ducts mean that the maximum amount of heated or cooled air fails to reach the intended destination. That means the furnace and air conditioner are required to run longer to meet the demands of the thermostat setting.The added wear and tear negatively impacts the reliability and longevity of the equipment. Leaky ducts lead to inferior comfort, greater energy consumption and higher running costs. Imperfections in the return ducts often draw in unconditioned air and pollutants. This can cause concerns with indoor air quality as well as health and safety risks. Contaminants get introduced into breathing air. If the ducts are located near combustion-based appliances, there is the worry over carbon monoxide getting pulled into the air. The solution is regular, professional ductwork testing, and if necessary, duct sealing. The process is non-invasive but worthwhile.