If your air ducts are not properly sealed and insulated, you are most likely losing money. Whether the air passing through is heated or cooled, inefficient ducts can lose up to 20 percent of the conditioned air that travels through them. In other words, you are paying for energy to heat or cool air that never reaches your home.

Here's how you can increase your air-duct efficiency and lower your energy bills:

Check for Signs of Wear

As ducts age, it is very common for them to develop leaks, loose connections and bends, which can lead to larger problems. Address these problems by sealing and tightening them using mastic, a duct sealant. It's especially imperative to do so before installing insulation, as insulation does not block air leaks, just heat transfer.

Choose the Right Type of Insulation

• Flexible: This blanket-type insulation can be rolled out and installed around any shape of duct piping, including irregular surfaces. It's fairly straightforward to install, but is not always as effective as rigid insulation.
• Rigid: These pre-formed boards are bonded with a thermosetting resin, which increases their effectiveness. They're generally used for rectangular ducts and may even be pre-installed on certain types of ductwork.
• Exterior: The exterior should always have a protective layer of foil or vinyl to keep moisture away from fiberglass interiors. Paper-faced insulation should never be used, and any insulation that gets wet should be replaced as soon as possible. 

Choose the Right Thermal Resistance

The R-values displayed on insulation reveals their thermal resistance. Because the appropriate R-value depends on what type of insulation material you need to use for your home's ducts, it's best to consult a professional. Additionally, ducts are critical to the healthy balance of airflow throughout your home, so at the very least have an expert evaluate airflow after you upgrade insulation.

You can start by contacting Jon Le Heating & Cooling. We've been servicing the Greater Cincinnati area for well over 50 years with the quality work and customer service that will keep us here for many more years to come.

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