3 Expert Tips to Reduce Energy Loss in Your Air Conditioning Ductwork
Saving more money on power bills is every homeowner's wish, and ductwork is the perfect place to start when you want an energy-efficient home. The primary role of air conditioning ducts is to control airflow from the central HVAC unit to the rest of your indoor space. However, the existing ductwork might not be effectively optimised for energy efficiency.
Faulty ductwork will result in loss of airflow, which causes the HVAC system to overwork. Your energy consumption will significantly skyrocket as a result. If you want to reduce energy loss through your air conditioning ducts, consider these three essential tips:
Identify and Seal Any Leakage
One of the likely reasons you are paying more for your electric bills is leakage in your air ducts. Without regular inspection and maintenance, your seals might loosen and expand. Consequently, this might create holes between your air ducts and the walls.
Therefore, consider visually inspecting your ductwork for any leakage sign. Once you've identified any leaks, you can purchase and use butyl tape or aluminium foil tape to seal up. If you find this process intimidating, consider calling in an HVAC contractor for assistance and remediation.
Consider Insulating Your Ductwork
Your air conditioning ducts might have some sections that are not well-insulated. Air ducts running through colder sections of your home might force your HVAC unit to overwork and regulate room temperature.
However, you can remedy this problem by full ductwork insulation or areas that have critical temperature differences. You can use metal-framed fibreglass insulation materials to achieve that. However, the process of insulating your ductwork might be pretty involving, and it would make sense to call an expert for the task.
Try Rerouting Your Air Conditioning Ducts
Another essential tip when you want to maximise your ductwork's energy efficiency is rerouting the entire system. Depending on the shape of your air ducts, there might be significant air resistance or drag, which contributes to energy loss. You can try out several steps to minimise the effects of drag, including:
- Shortening the duct segment lengths
- Increasing the diameter of your ducts
- Minimising bends on your ductwork
- Smoothing out the ducts' interiors to alleviate friction
Apart from these four steps, you can choose to reconstruct part of or the entire ductwork system to solve the energy loss problem. This approach requires some skill, and it would help if you called in a professional HVAC contractor.
Final Thoughts
These are the three essential tips to ensure your air ducts are correctly optimised for maximum energy efficiency. However, if they fail to solve the problem, then the likely culprit is your HVAC system. Contact your local HVAC expert for inspections, system diagnosis and remediation.