Sealed Ductwork
Sealed Ductwork | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Guild
Discover the difference a perfectly sealed duct system makes to your comfort, your wallet, and the air you breathe. HEP’s craftsmen use advanced sealing technology to eliminate leaks that waste energy, invite pollutants, and leave rooms unevenly heated or cooled. The result is whisper-quiet, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning that delivers every degree of conditioned air precisely where it’s needed—no drafts, no hot-and-cold spots, no surprises on your energy bill.
Beyond comfort and savings, our sealed ductwork is engineered to elevate ventilation and air quality throughout your home. By keeping contaminants out of the duct system and ensuring a controlled, balanced flow of fresh air, we help reduce allergens, odors, and excess humidity while supporting healthier living for your family. Breathe easier, live better, and enjoy year-round peace of mind with HEP’s sealed ductwork solutions.
FAQs
What is sealed ductwork and how is it different from standard duct systems?
Sealed ductwork refers to HVAC air-distribution pipes whose joints, seams, and connections are made airtight with specialized mastic, tapes, or gaskets. Unlike conventional duct systems that often leak 20-30 % of the conditioned air they carry, sealed ducts limit leakage to below 4 %, preserving heating and cooling output, reducing drafts, and preventing unconditioned attic or crawl-space air from being pulled into the supply stream.
Why is sealing my ductwork so important for heating and air-conditioning efficiency?
Every cubic foot of air that escapes a leaky duct has already been heated or cooled by your system. By sealing the duct network, the equipment delivers its full capacity to the living space, which can cut energy losses by 10-30 %, shorten run times, and allow for smaller, less expensive equipment in new installations. Efficient airflow also reduces temperature differences between rooms and extends the life of the furnace, heat pump, or air-handler by lowering operating stress.
How does sealed ductwork improve indoor air quality and ventilation in my home?
When ducts leak, they create pressure imbalances that draw dust, insulation fibers, moisture, and even combustion gases from attics, crawl spaces, or garages. A sealed system prevents these contaminants from entering the supply air, while maintaining the correct pressure needed for balanced mechanical ventilation. Combined with dedicated fresh-air intakes and high-MERV filtration, sealed ducts help deliver cleaner, healthier air throughout the home.
Will sealed ductwork reduce my energy bills, and if so, by how much?
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that duct sealing and insulation can lower HVAC energy use by 20 % or more in typical homes. Savings vary with climate, system size, and the amount of existing leakage, but our field measurements in Guild show annual reductions ranging from £120 to £350 for average-sized properties. Moreover, tighter ducts amplify the benefits of any future equipment upgrades or thermostat setbacks.
Can sealed ductwork be retrofitted into my existing house, or does it only apply to new construction?
Both. In new builds we design duct runs with minimal joints and seal them before drywall goes up. In existing homes we locate the leaks with pressure testing and seal them from the outside with mastic or from the inside using an aerosolised polymer that finds and plugs openings as small as 0.3 mm. Most retrofits take one day, require no demolition, and include a follow-up test to verify the leakage rate meets current building-code or ENERGY STAR® standards.
How often should sealed ductwork be inspected or maintained to keep it performing well?
Although properly sealed ducts stay tight for decades, we recommend an inspection every 3-5 years or whenever other HVAC work is performed. Technicians will check for new mechanical damage, verify insulation integrity, and test static pressure to ensure airflow hasn’t been compromised by filter buildup or equipment changes. Regular filter replacement and annual HVAC tune-ups complement duct sealing by preserving clean, unrestricted air paths and optimal indoor air quality.