By Phil Kispersky, SLOCO Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Do you have forced-air heating and maybe, air conditioning? If the answer is yes-what’s the MOST energy efficient thing you can do?
Often forgotten when remodeling or replacing your heating/air conditioning equipment are the ducts, which deliver air throughout your home.
Air leaking out of ducts is wasteful and expensive, but air can also be drawn INTO your home from dirty or contaminated places. Under floors and in attics, rodent droppings, insulation and mold are commonly found. These are the spaces your ducts run through, so when your heat or A/C is on, it can bring them in and spread them around your home!
A study by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that TYPICAL air leakage rates for ducts in a home is 30%!!!
In fact, DOE studies say we waste as much as $25 billion yearly heating and cooling our basements, attics and the Great Outdoors.
Although furnaces and air conditioners are more efficient than ever, home ducts have not been improved much since their invention.
California has recently upgraded standards for which duct pressure testing is now mandatory in many cases. This is a required step in order to assess the leakage so that the total system becomes more efficient. So, testing your ducts may not only be required, but also a very healthy thing to do.
If your ducts have not been installed or replaced within the last five years, chances are they leak a considerable amount. Testing and sealing is an option every home owner should consider.
Phil Kispersky is a licensed Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning Contractor and is carries additional license for Sheet Metal Fabrication.
His experience includes 43 years in San Luis Obispo County, working in these trades and is the owner of SLOCO Heating and Cooling, Inc.
For any questions he may be reached at: (805) 772-4433 or
