Tip 16 - Duct Soup |
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Heating experts estimate that 99 percent of all houses in the United States with central furnaces or air conditioners suffer duct leaks.
Ducts are a critical link in home energy efficiency. If they leak or lose heat because they're uninsulated, they're contributing as much to global warming as they are to warming the house. |
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ENERGY FACTS
- Home owners can save up to 10 percent of heating or cooling costs by insulating and sealing ducts.
- If the first air out of the duct is chilly and remains chilly for a long time, you know you're wasting energy.
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SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY
- If your ducts are not insulated:
- Turn on your furnace and feel for air escaping around duct joints. If you feel any, clean around the joint and seal with duct tape.
- Insulate the ducts with two-inch-thick fiberglass, available at home improvement stores. Seal the seams with duct tape. If ducts are hard to reach, call a heating contractor.
- If your ducts are already insulated:
- It's harder to determine if your ducts leak. You can expose the joints (where the ducts bend, for instance) to check. Or leave it to an expert.
- Before you mess with an insulated duct, make sure the insulation isn't asbestos, which looks like heavy cloth. If it is, stay away. If you're not sure, check it with your local building department.
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