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It may be hard to believe, but you could be wasting a lot of energy when you crank on your AC. Like a LOT of energy. And it’s not because your air conditioner isn’t the most efficient ENERGYSTAR air conditioner around; it’s because your ductwork is leaking out all that cold air into your attic, basement, or crawlspace.
In a recent three year study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, researchers found that leaky ducts are actually the biggest energy drain associated with heating and air conditioning systems, and that these leaky ducts could be using 30% more energy than if they were correctly sealed and insulated.
The good news is that it can be fairly easy to locate leaky ducts if they’re in an accessible space like your attic. Check to see if:
- You notice that the space feels unusually cool even though it’s hot outside. An unconditioned space may feel comfortable if your home is tightly insulated, but it probably won’t feel as cool as your living space if the ducts are properly insulated.
- Your ductwork isn’t insulated. Note, though, that insulated ductwork might still not be properly sealed.
If you think you’ve got leaks, you can turn your air on and place your hands on the ductwork to see if you can feel any air leaking out- particularly close to the air handler unit.
It’s possible that you can complete the project yourself for fairly cheap. Visit Richmonds The Heat Beat to learn more about how to seal your ductwork.
If you want energy savings without the DYI home improvement project, call our experienced technicians at Richmond’s Air. We’re here to help those in Houston, Bellaire, Bunker Hill Village and the surrounding areas find solutions to make their homes comfortable and efficient.
