Hidden Duct Leaks
Hidden Duct Leaks | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Decherd
Hidden duct leaks quietly waste energy, strain your HVAC equipment, and let dust, pollen, and humidity ride the airstream into every room. HEP’s certified technicians track down these invisible gaps with advanced airflow diagnostics, seal them from the inside out, and recalibrate your system for peak efficiency. The result is lower utility bills, steadier temperatures, and a fresher environment that feels as good as it costs to run.
Homeowners across Decherd trust HEP because we go beyond basic fixes to safeguard complete ventilation and air quality. From precision duct sealing to smart airflow balancing and optional UV purification, every service is tailored to your space and budget. We arrive on time, explain each step in plain language, and leave your home cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable than we found it—backed by the HEP Happiness Guarantee.
FAQs
What are hidden duct leaks and why are they common in Decherd homes?
Hidden duct leaks are small cracks, gaps, or disconnected sections in the supply or return ductwork that run behind walls, in attics, or under crawl spaces. In Decherd, many homes have older metal or flexible duct systems that have experienced years of thermal expansion, vibration from HVAC equipment, and occasional critter damage. These factors—combined with our humid summers and mild winters—cause duct seals to dry out or joints to pull apart, allowing conditioned air to escape before it ever reaches your living spaces.
How do hidden duct leaks affect my heating and cooling bills?
When conditioned air leaks out of your ducts, your HVAC system must run longer to reach the thermostat setpoint. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that leaky ducts can waste 20–30% of the air a system moves. In dollar terms, Decherd homeowners often see seasonal utility bills increase by $150 to $400 because of undiagnosed leaks. Sealing those leaks typically pays for itself within two or three years through lower electricity and gas costs.
What indoor air quality problems can leaky ducts cause?
A leaky return duct can draw musty crawl-space air, attic insulation fibers, or outdoor pollutants into your HVAC system and circulate them throughout the house. This can raise humidity, introduce allergens such as mold spores and pollen, and spread dust that aggravates asthma or allergies. Properly sealing ducts keeps contaminants out of the airstream and allows your air filter, UV light, or other IAQ accessories to work as designed.
How can I tell if my duct system has hidden leaks?
Warning signs include hot or cold spots in certain rooms, excessive dust around supply registers, whistling or rattling sounds in walls, and higher-than-normal energy bills. A professional HVAC contractor can perform a duct-blaster test or thermal imaging scan to quantify leakage. These tests pressurize the ductwork and measure how much air escapes, pinpointing exact leak locations that are otherwise invisible.
What is the process for professionally sealing hidden duct leaks?
First, we inspect visible duct runs for loose connections, torn insulation, or missing mastic. Next, we use UL-181 rated mastic or metal tape—not household duct tape—to seal joints, elbows, and plenums. For inaccessible sections, we can apply an aerosolized sealant from inside the ducts that travels to and plugs holes up to ⅝-inch wide. Finally, we verify the repair with a post-sealing leakage test and add insulation where needed to meet current energy codes.
How often should Decherd homeowners have their ductwork checked?
We recommend a comprehensive duct inspection every five years, or sooner if you notice uneven temperatures or rising utility bills. Because Decherd’s warm, humid summers accelerate duct deterioration, combining an annual HVAC tune-up with a quick visual duct check is an easy way to catch new leaks early and maintain optimal comfort and air quality.