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Duct Sealing, Testing and Insulation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DUCT SEALING / TESTING
What are the benefits of duct
sealing and duct insulation?
These improvements can create a more
comfortable indoor environment, reduce indoor air pollution levels and help
lower your monthly energy costs. Studies show the average duct system loses 20
to 40% of its output because of leaks. These same leaky ducts can draw in
harmful pollutants from crawlspaces and attics as well as cause fireplaces and
furnaces to draw carbon monoxide into the home. Back to top
Can Leaky Ducts Make You Sick?
Yes,
they can, because they bring pollutants into the home from crawl spaces and
other building cavities. And they draw combustion gases into the home from fireplaces,
wood stoves, furnaces — even water heaters.
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Pollutants from the attic, crawl
space and garage
- Insulation fibers and dust from the attic
- Moisture, radon gas, pesticides, mold and mildew spores, animal residue and associated
viruses and bacteria, insulation fibers and dust from the crawl space
- Automobile exhaust and fumes from chemicals stored in the garage
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Carbon
monoxide and other combustion gases
- Leaky ducts or ducts without sufficient return air can cause back drafting of
fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas and oil furnaces and water heaters.
- Back drafting draws combustion gases down flues and into your home.
- Of greatest concern is carbon monoxide, an extremely hazardous and potentially
lethal gas.
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Test
the safety of your duct system
- A Performance Tested Comfort Systems certified contractor can determine if your
ducts are leaking and if they could cause back drafting of combustion
appliances. If necessary, a certified contractor can make repairs safely and
effectively. Back to top
Energy Trust Incentives
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Duct
sealing
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Electrically
heated homes: up to $300
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Gas
heated homes: up to $250
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Oregon
State Energy Tax Credit: 25% of job up to $250 (visit
Oregon Department of Energy website for more information)
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Duct
Insulation
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Electrically
heated homes: $200
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Gas
heated homes: $100
Requirements
Duct sealing must be performed by an Energy
Trust of Oregon Trade Ally or licensed
contractor who is certified to seal ducts according to program specifications
and Mountain View Heating is one of these contractors. A duct leakage test is required to assure that
your work is done correctly.
Are
these upgrades available for your home?
A
duct leakage test is required to assure that your work is done correctly. These
opportunities are available to Oregon customers of Portland General Electric,
Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. Back to top
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DUCT SEALING / TESTING
Why
should I be concerned about my heating and cooling ducts?
- Duct leaks can make your home uncomfortable and unhealthy. Leaky
return ducts
can pull pollutants into your home from your attic, crawl space, basement or
garage. Poorly installed supply ducts can cause dangerous back drafting
of fireplaces, wood stoves, and naturally vented gas and oil furnaces and water
heaters.
- Leaky ducts also create pressure differentials in the house that cause drafts
and moisture problems. A poorly installed duct system costs you money, too. It
reduces the efficiency of a forced-air furnace, heat pump or air conditioning system
by 20 percent to 40 percent. Back to top
What
are Performance Tested Comfort Systems?
- Most contractors don’t test the performance of the heating and cooling systems
they install.
- Performance Tested Comfort Systems are tested for efficient operation and
safety.
- Because ducts are sealed, drafts are reduced and more of the heating or cooling
produced by the furnace, heat pump or air conditioning system is delivered to
the rooms you live in.
- Performance Tested Comfort Systems certified contractors also conduct tests and
make any necessary repairs to ensure the furnace doesn’t depressurize the house
and cause back drafting of combustion appliances. Back to top
How
does duct testing and sealing make my home healthier?
Duct testing and sealing reduces indoor air pollutants two ways:
- First,
testing duct systems for pressure balance can uncover negative indoor air
pressures that cause the whole house to leak (bringing in air from the attic,
crawl space, basement or garage) and cause back drafting of fireplaces, wood
stoves, furnaces and water heaters. Without testing, many of these problems are
not uncovered and corrected.
- Second,
sealing leaks in return ducts stops pollutants from being drawn into the home
from the attic insulation fibers, dust),
crawl space (moisture, radon gas, pesticides, mold and mildew spores, animal
residue, insulation fibers, dust), basement (mold, mildew, dust, carbon
monoxide, chemical fumes) and the garage (car exhaust, carbon monoxide,
chemical fumes, dust). Back to top
Don’t
try to fix your ducts without advice from a professional. If you seal them improperly,
you may make the problems worse and create health risks.
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