At a recent seminar about energy audits, we learned that your home ducts are the place to save energy. “Please replace your ducts,” declared expert Scott Lowery, who works with Building Solutions.
It turns out that some 30 percent of energy leaks through the average Californian homeowner’s ducts. Yet something this elementary, which pays back quickly, commonly gets ignored. We asked Lowery why people don’t pay attention to the basics and he laughed, “it’s boring.”
According to Building Solutions, “testing and sealing duct systems is one of the most cost-effective energy improvements available for residential buildings. In addition to energy savings, proper sizing, sealing or replacing ducts can lead to dramatic improvements in indoor air quality and comfort.”
You should also examine the sealing around plumbing and other penetrations, because leaks happen there too. If these entries are insulated, then you will reduce energy consumption – not to mention block out rodents, a twofer.
Through an energy audit, many systems are checked out as well as every room in your home. The fundamentals boil down to testing insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, lighting and appliances. It seems worth your time and energy, and essential to qualify for various rebates, tax breaks and other financial incentives coming down the pike.
P.S. We suggest reading this article by Oaklander Gene Anderson, who arranged for an energy audit and shared what he learned – plus there are some cool pictures of the testing devices!