How to Lower Winter Heating Costs with Duct Sealing
Your thermostat has not been touched, yet the heating bill is on the upswing. Some rooms in your house will not put in any heat no matter how much you run the furnace. You may have asked yourself what happens to all that costly heated air.
Then there is the ductwork. In 40 plus years of putting families on the Cape Fear Coast at ease, we at NC Quality Air have seen our share of leaky ducts; it is one of the things we come across most often. For a plain answer as to what is going on with your system, give us a ring at (910) 218-9830.
The Source of Your Heat Loss
Think of your ductwork as the means by which your furnace or heat pump puts warm air in every room of the house. But if there are loose connections or a crack in those ducts, the air you put money toward will be gone before it gets to you. It will be in the attic or crawl space or behind your walls rather than in the living room.
Those are losses that mount quickly. You can lose a good measure of your heated air to duct leaks in an average home, according to the industry. So your system is forced to put in more work and longer hours to get to the temperature you want. The wear on your equipment and the energy bills to match are the result.
When to Suspect a Leak in Your Ducts
For most homeowners the ducts are the last place they would look for trouble, but some telltale signs are hard to miss:
- Cold spots in a room with the heat on
- No apparent cause for a higher heating bill come winter
- More dust than usual about the house
- Temperatures that vary from room to room
- A furnace or heat pump in constant operation
- Any whistling or rush of air from the ductwork
You could be parting with your money needlessly if this is your experience.
What Duct Sealing Entails
It is a matter of locating the leaks in the duct system and making them whole. Our technician will go over the ductwork to spot the gaps and loose joints and put in materials to seal them for good. Where a section of duct is not well connected it may be reinforced or reconnected.
With the leaks shut down, the air from your system goes where it should. There is no need for the furnace to run as long to do its job, so the rooms even out and heat up in less time.
Savings to Be Had
Homeowners will seal their ducts for the impact it has on their heating costs. A system not having to contend with leaks will expend less energy for the same output and you will see it in your monthly bill over the course of the winter.
There are other advantages as well:
- The strain is off your heating equipment because of the reduced run times
- A system that sees less wear will require fewer repairs and last longer
- Consistent comfort in each room
- With the dust and debris kept out by sealed ducts, the quality of the air in your home improves
- An overall more efficient system for cooling and heating alike
One finds people have been overpaying for heat for years without so much as inspecting their ductwork. Sealing the problem is a simple remedy and one that will repay you in kind each winter.
A Case for Doing It in Winter
In the coldest months your system is under the most duress and leaky ducts are at their most expensive. By sealing them now you put the savings in your pocket immediately and are in better shape for the return of the cooling season.
We also recommend it as part of your regular upkeep. With a Diamond Plan membership you get priority scheduling, twice yearly cleaning and 15 per cent off parts and labor to ensure your system is in order all year.
Get in Touch with NC Quality Air
From Wilmington we have been of service to the Cape Fear Coast for over four decades, from Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach on through Leland, Hampstead, Southport and further afield. Our neighbors put their trust in us, as evidenced by the 300 reviews on Google and our A+ standing with the Better Business Bureau.
Should your heating bills be more than they ought to be, we can have a look at your ductwork. We are here 24/7, Monday to Sunday, and provide free estimates. Call (910) 218-9830 and make sure you are not throwing away the heat you pay for.
