In the long term, sealing your air ducts will help your home remain energy efficient, save you money, and provide many other benefits. Treat the cost of sealing air ducts as an investment and not as an expense. The average project involves the contractor evaluating the areas where sealing is necessary and using the appropriate method to seal the interior and exterior walls. Fortunately, a professional can help you determine the severity of the air leak inside air ducts and identify the best plan of action to seal them.
Most homeowners seal and insulate the attic during renovation projects, as this is a great opportunity to insulate the attic and other areas of the house. The additional costs represent up to 40 percent of total heating and cooling costs, which highlights the importance of proper air sealing.
Sealing air ducts with duct tape or a paintable sealing product, such as Mastic, prevents air conditioner from escaping, allowing it to operate more efficiently.
Numerous studies indicate that the return on investment (ROI) of duct sealing is higher than that of any other home improvement, with figures ranging from the 20 percent improvement in the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, obtained by the federal company Energy Star, to the estimate of cost recovery from the company McKinsey, in two or three years. Air leaks around pipes, ducts, or electrical wiring that pass through walls and ceilings will be sealed with putty.When you hire us to seal ducts, we will use the latest generation of Aeroseal products and processes to achieve a complete and efficient seal. As beneficial as air sealing is for controlling temperature and preventing heat loss in a home, it has a significant drawback. Unlike spray foam that is applied wet and then hardens, rigid foam comes in the form of a prefabricated hard foam panel that is cut into pieces according to the project's sealing needs. This service, also known as “pest exclusion”, is designed to seal any cracks, holes, or openings in the house where insects and rodents can enter.
Below is a breakdown of the most common places homeowners should look for air leaks and the cost of sealing each of these areas:
- Air Duct Sealing: Air duct sealing is the process of eliminating any cracks, loose connections, or holes in your home's air ducts. While they tend to charge less, they also invest less in their businesses and may not fully understand how to customize the duct sealing process for each home.
- Attic Insulation: Attic insulation is one of the most important steps in improving your home's energy efficiency. The cost of attic insulation depends on several factors such as size of attic space, type of insulation used, etc.
- Pest Exclusion: Pest exclusion involves sealing any cracks or openings in your home where insects or rodents can enter. This service typically costs between $200-$500 depending on how extensive it needs to be.
- Sealing Around Pipes & Wiring: Sealing around pipes and wiring that pass through walls and ceilings will be sealed with putty.
This process typically costs between $50-$100 depending on how many areas need to be sealed.