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I don't want to cause any panic and/or alarm, but your ducts might be leaking. Leaking ducts can reduce your heating and cooling system's energy efficiency by 10 to 30 percent. Imagine, one third of your heating-bill money may be going to waste. You might as well throw your money down a hole.
Leaking ducts also reduce the quality of your indoor air. Improperly sealed ducts can move chemicals like methane or carbon monoxide from the basement or outdoors and deliver those substances to your living room via your HVAC system. Other problematic chemicals may include dust, fertilizer, pesticide and allergens.
Sealing Your Duct Leak:
The best way to solve your holey-duct problem is with a UL 181 water-based mastic duct sealant and mesh tape. The mastic sealant has been around since the time of the Romans and it's fairly safe. The water-based mastic has a few fumes, but it is considered a low VOC product. In any case, the slight fumes from the mastic are mostly harmless, especially when compared to the alternative.
Simply apply the mastic around the joints of your duct system. Then place the mesh tape over the mastic seal. Regular duct tape won't work on ducts. Make sure to get mesh tape specifically designed to work with the mastic. Once your ducts are sealed, they will efficiently deliver cool or heated, unpolluted air.
More on Indoor Air Quality
Beat the Heat with these Warm-Weather Ventilation Tips
Why You Should Water Your Hanging Plants with Ice Cubes
How Indoor Air Quality Affects Your Health
How to Go Green: Home Renovation
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