Top 3 Signs Your HVAC Ductwork Is Leaking
Discover if your heating and cooling system’s air ducts are leaking and what to do to fix the problem.
By Anne Fonda
Your HVAC system’s ductwork plays a vital role in your comfort. HVAC air ducts are a series of cylindrical or rectangular tubes that carry hot or cold air from your HVAC unit to the rest of your home, delivering it through floor, wall, or ceiling registers. The air then is drawn into the return air vents and sent back to the HVAC unit to repeat the cycle.
The ductwork may be rigid metal or flexible ducts, depending on where they are located. You may see exposed ductwork in your basement, attic, or crawlspace close to your indoor HVAC unit (furnace or air handler). The rest of the ductwork is hidden in the walls (and ceilings) of your home.
Good HVAC ductwork vs leaky ductwork
When your HVAC ductwork is well-sealed and insulated, you get optimal airflow and comfort, as well as enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ).
By contrast, leaky or poorly insulated ductwork can reduce the airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM) leading to decreased comfort, decreased HVAC energy efficiency, and potential air quality issues. According to ENERGY STAR®, a typical home loses 20-30% of conditioned air due to holes, leaks, disconnected air ducts, and poorly installed ducts.
But how do you know your air ducts are leaking? You can watch for the following signs.
#1: High summer and winter utility bills
If you set your thermostat to conserve energy and reduce your energy consumption but you still have high summer AND winter utility bills without a rate increase, leaky air ducts may be to blame.
#2: Some rooms are always hot or always cold
If you have a room that is always hotter or colder than the rest of the house, clogged, leaky, or disconnected air ducts could be responsible.
#3: Excessive dust
If it seems like dust is accumulating quickly no matter how often you clean your home, you may have leaky air ducts. If you have holes or tears in your HVAC ductwork or even disconnected ducts, that means the return air system may be pulling in dust from your basement, attic, or crawl space. If your return air vents are coated with dust, the ductwork could be to blame.
Keep in mind that each of these issues may have multiple causes.
How to check ductwork for leaks
As a homeowner, you can check your exposed ductwork for leaks by doing a visual inspection. Look at the exposed air ducts for holes or gaps at ductwork connecting points. For larger leaks in exposed ductwork, you may be able to feel hot or cold air escaping.
Connection points are the most common trouble spots. Check that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed as well.
To detect problems with your HVAC ductwork in the walls and ceilings of your home, it’s best to work with a trusted HVAC professional. They’ll be able to pinpoint the cause(s) of your comfort issues and recommend long-term solutions. Ask to see the results of the air duct assessment as well as any tests.
What to do about leaking ductwork
The worst thing you can do is ignore it, thinking it’s not a big deal. The problem will only get worse, causing higher energy bills and decreased comfort. There are 3 main solutions.
1. Duct sealing
Ductwork sealing is your first line of defense. This process seals up holes or cracks in your HVAC ductwork. On visible, exposed ductwork, you or an HVAC professional can use a masking solution or metal tape to seal visible leaks. Don’t use duct tape as it isn’t as long-lasting. You might also consider adding air duct insulation wrap to keep the ductwork from getting too hot or too cold.
For ductwork that is hidden in your walls or ceiling, you will want to have an HVAC professional use the Aeroseal method. Aeroseal is an aerosol sealant that the HVAC contractor pumps into your ductwork system. It seals even the smallest holes from the inside of your ductwork. When properly done, this method of sealing ductwork can last 40 years.
2. Air duct repair
For older, deteriorated ductwork, ductwork repair may be a good solution. This might involve a targeted replacement of one or more small sections of ductwork.
3. Air duct replacement
Ductwork replacement may be necessary if your ductwork is improperly sized for your HVAC system. Replacing ductwork might also be necessary if the air duct system is badly deteriorated.
The bottom line
By addressing leaky ductwork, you can:
- Reduce energy consumption and save money
- Improve your home’s air quality
- Prolong the life of your HVAC system by helping it work more efficiently
Take the first step and contact an HVAC contractor near you.
Work with the HVAC experts
If your HVAC system isn’t keeping you as comfortable as it should, it’s time to call in the HVAC experts. Leaking HVAC ductwork could be to blame, but the issue could be a problem with an indoor or outdoor HVAC unit as well. Contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist to schedule an assessment. They may make repairs as well as suggest further things you can do to get the most out of your HVAC system.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer
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