Sealing Your Ducts for Maximum Efficiency

Learn how to seal around air handlers and other equipment in a duct system for maximum efficiency. Find out what methods are available and how they can help.

Sealing Your Ducts for Maximum Efficiency

When it comes to sealing around air handlers and other equipment in a duct system, there are several methods that can be used. One of the most popular is to use putty that won't harden to seal around pipes, tubes, and ducts in the air controller cabinet. This putty comes in strips, strips and cords and doesn't dry out, but it's still flexible, so it can be removed and reapplied. It's also important to seal any electrical and pipe obstructions that you don't use with putty.

The more extreme the weather (cold or hot), the greater the benefits of duct sealing.Another method for sealing ducts is to use a fan to pressurize the duct system and use a computer to analyze the data to determine the amount of air leaving the ducts. In these cases, the evaluator will visually verify that the cover has been durably sealed to the subfloor (e.g., it is recommended to seal it manually with fiberglass mesh tape and putty) and that the duct material must have an internal ventilation barrier. If you suspect that your ducts are leaking, then you should try to seal them yourself or hire an HVAC technician to do so. To manually seal parts of the duct system that have not been treated with the injected aerosol sealant system, follow the procedure described below. Quality duct installation applies to heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust and 26% pressure balancing ducts, unless otherwise stated in the footnote.

Other reconditioning products for sealing ducts from the inside include commercially available spray coating products. Isolating conditioning equipment from the duct system space is crucial to prevent damage to that equipment. Do this immediately if you hear a whistle coming from the ducts, which indicates an air gap, or if your energy bills suddenly increase without you realizing it. As an expert in HVAC systems, I can tell you that sealing around air handlers and other equipment in a duct system is an essential step in ensuring that your HVAC system is running efficiently and effectively. By using putty that won't harden or by hiring a professional to blow liquid rubber sealant through the system, you can ensure that your air conditioner is reaching its intended destination without any air escaping through gaps or holes in your ducts.