The Hidden Culprit: How Leaky Ducts Are Costing You Money

If receiving your utility bills inspires panic each month, it may be time to consider ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. In many homes, leaky ducts are a major source of wasted energy. Some of these leaks are hidden behind walls or too small to see, which is why diagnosing and repairing duct leaks can be so challenging. 

When you have leaks, you may notice that certain rooms are unusually hot or cold. Your HVAC system may run constantly to try to balance out the lost air. Worse still, your energy bills will be consistently high. 

Fortunately, duct sealing can help you repair leaky ductwork. At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we have the skilled experts and state-of-the-art tools you need to repair leaks in your Denver home.

What Exactly Are Leaky Ducts?

In a way, your ductwork is like the respiratory system of your home. Like your lungs, the ductwork brings conditioned air from your HVAC unit to every room of your home. 

When you have leaks, the conditioned air can escape. This forces your HVAC system to work harder to produce additional hot or cold air. In the typical home, around 20% to 30% of conditioned air ends up getting lost through leaky ducts.

Unfortunately, you can’t just crawl around under your home and tape up holes. Often, leaky ducts are like a garden hose with small pinholes. While you may be able to notice loose connections at joins or vents, many of the holes will be too small to easily see. That’s why we recommend scheduling a professional duct leak inspection, so you can get your system checked for hidden leaks. 

The High Cost of Leaks: Why It Matters for Your Wallet

All of this matters because it affects your energy costs. When conditioned air escapes into unconditioned spaces, such as your crawlspaces, attic, or walls, your HVAC system has to make up for the lost air. This can have a tangible impact on your energy bills each month. Over the course of a year, this can add up to hundreds of dollars in additional energy costs.

Over time, it can also cause premature wear and tear on your HVAC system. The nonstop workload strains the interior components, making them work harder than they would normally have to. Eventually, this added strain leads to unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs. Because the added workload stresses the entire HVAC system, your unit will end up having a shorter lifespan and need a replacement earlier. 

Beyond Money: Other Problems Caused by Leaky Ducts

Besides the upfront energy costs, leaky ducts can cause a range of other problems as well. 

Uneven Temperatures

Leaky ductwork upsets the airflow in your home. Because air leaks out before it reaches some rooms, some rooms will receive very little conditioned air.

At the same time, duct leaks force your HVAC system to work harder to replace lost air. As a result, some of your rooms will actually receive more conditioned air than normal. Because of this, you’ll end up with some rooms that feel excessively hot all of the time and some rooms that feel too cold.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

When there are leaks, the pressure inside the ductwork can pull in outside air and dust. Mold spores, allergens, and dirt can get into the ductwork. From there, the pollutants can travel into your home’s living areas. If you have loved ones who suffer from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems, the added allergens can end up having a significant impact on their overall health.

Safety Risks

Unfortunately, there is also a risk of backdrafting with gas furnaces. This occurs when air pressure pulls in exhaust gases, like carbon monoxide. Then, these dangerous gases can travel through your ductwork and into your home.

Timely repairs and proactive maintenance are important if you want to prevent these risks from negatively impacting your family. Long-term duct leaks can end up straining your system, leading to more expensive repairs. By sealing ducts promptly, you can save money in the long run and prevent major safety risks from harming your family.

What You Can Do About It: Finding and Fixing Leaks

If you’re concerned about the duct leaks lurking within your HVAC system, there are a few things you can do to diagnose and fix leaky ducts. You can start by looking at the ducts you are able to access. Using a flashlight, look for disconnected areas and loose joints. Specifically, you should check around registers for any gaps. 

However, it’s also important to remember that many duct leaks aren’t visible to the naked eye. This is especially true for ducts that are in your walls or attic. In order to find these hard-to-reach leaks, you need specialized tools. 

At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we offer specialized services and support with all of your home’s duct-related problems. During the initial inspection, we will find the duct leaks in your home. Depending on the size and location of the leak, the type of duct sealing we do can vary. Often, we seal up leaks using durable mastic and tape. For major problems, we can also replace the ductwork. 

After we’ve diagnosed and repaired your duct leaks, we can also re-insulate around them. By insulating your ductwork, you can prevent heat transfer and ensure more conditioned air reaches your rooms.

Diagnose and Repair Your Leaky Ducts

Leaky ducts can be challenging to find. Even if the holes are large enough to see, the ductwork may be in a location where you can’t actually view it. Because of this, it’s a good idea to reach out for a professional inspection. 

Over time, duct leaks can add up. Conditioned air forces your HVAC system to work harder, leading to more expensive energy bills and higher repair costs. It will also shorten the lifespan of your unit over time. 

Whether you’re concerned about air quality, comfort, or energy costs, duct sealing can help. At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we offer professional duct inspection and sealing services. We can walk you through the duct costs and your repair needs, so you know exactly what to expect. Once we’ve finished the repairs, you can start saving money right away.

Schedule a professional duct inspection by giving us a call today!