UBCNews - Business - How Important Is Air Sealing? Save Money By Fixing Hidden Duct Leaks At Home

Episode Date: January 23, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling something that could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year without you even realizing it. We're talking about air sealing your home, and specifically, those hidden ducts that most people completely overlook. Engle Services City: Sylacauga Address: 40300 U.S. 280 Website: https://engleservicesheatingandair.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year without you even realizing it. We're talking about air sealing your home and specifically those hidden ducks that most people completely overlook. Yeah, it's one of those things that's literally out of sight, out of mind. I mean, most homeowners think about sealing windows and doors, but your duct work, that's where the real money disappears. So let's start with the basics. When we talk about airships, sealing a house, what are we actually addressing? Well, you're looking at all the places where outside air sneaks in and your expensive condition air escapes. We're talking windows, weather stripping around doors, gaps around dryer vents, even foam sealant around pipes and wires.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs, or an average of 11% on total energy costs just by air sealing and adding insulation. 15%. That's significant. But you mentioned something earlier about ducks being the real culprit. Exactly. Here's the thing.

In a typical house, about 20 to 30% of the air moving through your duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducks. And if those ducks run through unconditioned spaces like your attic or crawl space, you're essentially heating or cooling areas you don't even use. So we're paying to heat the attic? That's like buying dinner for mice you didn't invite. Pretty much, yeah. Leaky ducks can reduce your heating and cooling system efficiency by as much as 20%.

That's more than a minor issue. It's a major drain on your wallet and your system. I hear you. What about the comfort side of things? I know a lot of people complain about certain rooms being too hot or too cold. Right. A well-sealed duct system provides consistent temperatures throughout your home. No more hot and cold spots.

When your ducks are leaking, some rooms might get barely any airflow while others get blasted. Ceiling fixes that imbalance. Have you ever wondered why one bedroom feels like a sauna while another feels like a refrigerator? That's probably your ducks talking. Definitely. And there's another issue people don't think about, indoor air quality. Leaky ducks can pull in dust, pollen, mold spores, insulation particles, even few. from household chemicals or vehicle exhaust if you have an attached garage.

All that gets circulated through your home. That's actually kind of alarming, especially for families with allergies or respiratory issues. Absolutely. There's even a safety concern with something called backdrafting, where combustion gases like carbon monoxide from gas appliances can get pulled into your living space. That's a serious risk. Okay, so we've got energy waste, comfort problems, and air quality concerns. What about the HVAC system itself?

Great question. When your ducks are leaking, your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain temperature. That means more wear and tear, more frequent repairs, higher maintenance costs. Sealing your ducks can actually extend the life of your system by reducing that strain. Or to put it another way, sealed ducks

help your system last longer because it doesn't have to work overtime every single day. So it's like giving your furnace an air conditioner a break. Exactly. And here's something I experienced firsthand. A friend of mine had her duct sealed last year, and her energy bills dropped by nearly 30%.

She called me amazed in saying she wished she'd done it years earlier. That point about system strain really sets up our next piece, the actual methods for sealing ducks. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If you're dealing with high energy bills, uneven temperatures, or poor air quality in your central Alabama home, Ingle Services can help. Their experienced technicians provide expert heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing services throughout Birmingham and surrounding communities. From emergency

repairs to routine maintenance and professional duck sealing solutions, they're available when you need them. Learn more at ingleservicesheating and air.com. Picking up on that system strain we mentioned, how do homeowners actually go about sealing those hidden duct leaks? Well, there are traditional methods like using duct mastic or specialized tapes to seal visible joints and seams. But the real innovation is the aeroseal method. It's a modern, non-toxic aerosol sealant technology that seals leaks from the inside of the duct work. From the inside, how does that work? They pressurize the duct system and spray this aerosol sealant through it.

The particles seek out the leaks and build up at those spots until they're sealed. It can seal up to 95% of leaks, including those in hidden or inaccessible areas you could never reach manually. That's impressive, and I've heard the results can be pretty dramatic. They really can be. One case study showed Arrow seal reduced duct leakage from 47% down to just 3% to 4%. The temperature differences throughout the home improved vastly, plus the The U.S. Department of Energy has rated Aero Seal as one of the 23 most beneficial technologies available to consumers since the agency's creation.

I see. Go on. Studies show duck sealing can cut energy costs by up to 30 percent and save homeowners an average of $200 to $400 annually on utility bills. Research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that 25 percent of energy typically used for heating and cooling is wasted through duck system losses. So to everyone listening, if you're serious about cutting energy costs, this is something to consider. And there's a financial incentive beyond just the monthly savings, right? Right. Homeowners may be eligible for federal tax credits for making energy-efficient improvements, including air sealing.

For qualified improvements made through December 31st, 2025, you could get up to $3,200 in credits annually. That includes up to $1,200 for air sealing materials that meet. International Energy Conservation Code standards. So you're saving money on bills and potentially getting a tax credit. That's a win-win. Definitely. And beyond the financial benefits, there's the environmental impact. By reducing your home's energy consumption, you're also reducing your carbon footprint. It's a responsible choice for the planet.

Before we wrap up, what would you say to homeowners who are on the fence about whether this is worth it? I'd say think about the three big benefits. lower bills, better comfort, and healthier air. Those hidden duct leaks are costing you money every single day. The Department of Energy estimates that over 90% of existing buildings have air duct systems with hidden air leaks. You're probably affected and don't even know it.

And the beauty of something like aeroseal is that it's proven in strength and accelerated tests to last 40 or more years, typically coming with a 10-year warranty from manufacturers. you're making a long-term investment. Exactly. It's a one-time fix that keeps paying you back year after year, plus qualifies for those tax credits we mentioned. Well, this has been incredibly eye-opening. I think we've established that air sealing, especially your ducks,

is one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Thanks so much for breaking this down. My pleasure. Hopefully everyone listening takes a closer look at their duck work, because that's where the real savings hide. Absolutely. Thanks for tuning in, everyone.