If your energy bills seem higher than they should be, there’s a common culprit that doesn’t get enough attention: leaky ductwork.
Most homeowners never think about their ducts. They’re hidden in walls and ceilings, out of sight and out of mind. But when ducts develop leaks, gaps, or disconnected sections, a significant portion of your conditioned air — air your system worked to heat or cool — escapes before it ever reaches the rooms in your home.
How Big Is the Problem?
The U.S. Department of Energy has studied this extensively. In many homes, leaky ducts are responsible for 20 to 30 percent of heating and cooling energy loss. That means for every dollar you spend on energy, up to 30 cents is paying to heat or cool your attic, crawl space, or the inside of your walls.
Signs Your Ducts Might Be Leaking
You don’t need special equipment to notice the symptoms:
- Some rooms never seem to reach the temperature on the thermostat
- Energy bills have crept up without an obvious explanation
- There’s more dust than usual on surfaces throughout the home
- You can hear whistling or unusual sounds from the vents
- Airflow from some registers feels weak or inconsistent
Any of these on their own could have another cause. Multiple symptoms together often point to the duct system.
What Repair Involves
Duct repair starts with a diagnostic — often a pressure test — to measure how much air is escaping and locate where the losses are happening. From there, technicians seal gaps and leaks, repair or replace damaged sections, and test airflow to confirm the work improved performance.
If you’re in the Chicago suburbs and want to find out whether your ducts are costing you money, click here to learn about professional duct and vent repair services in Glenview.
The Payoff
Sealed ducts mean lower energy bills, better comfort in every room, and less strain on your HVAC equipment. For many homeowners, duct repair pays for itself within a few years — sometimes faster.