Over 90% of existing buildings throughout North America have duct leakage. The US Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute have determined 24%-40% of heating and cooling energy put out by heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems is lost throughout the duct work system.
Air duct leaks also pose health concerns. A leak contributes to poor indoor air quality by allowing dust and other harmful particles inside your home. According to the EPA, most people spend roughly 90% of their lives indoors. This makes indoor air pollution one of the five most urgent environmental problems facing the United States.
Did you know that American homes use almost 25% of the energy consumed in the United States, with the average household spending $2000 a year on home energy bills? Duct leakage cost home owners and professionals billions each year simply for escaped energy. The leaks force your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner to work harder and cause performance concerns.
The U.S. Department of Energy found the single most effective means of conserving home energy for many homeowners is air duct sealing.
As surprising as this may seem, the evidence is clear. The average home in the U.S. loses about 25 to 40 percent of heated and cooled air through leaks found throughout the home’s air duct system. Even newly built homes are, more often than not, plagued by leaky air ducts – leaks that divert heated and cooled air from their intended destination, reduce the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner, and ultimately increase your monthly utility bill.
There are several warning signs of a leaky air duct system. Perhaps the most noticeable is uneven heating or cooling throughout the house. If, during winter months, you find that some rooms in your home remain cool while others are warm and toasty, there is a good chance that leaky ducts are the problem. Other signs include excessive dust, very cold basements, and streaks around your registers, dark lines around the edge of your carpets, furnace or air conditioning units running all the time.