Why Test Ducts for Leakage?

Stop Paying to Heat and Cool Your Attic

When you invest in a modern, high-efficiency heating or cooling system, you expect to see a return on that investment in the form of lower utility bills and increased comfort. However, many homeowners in the Tri-State area are unknowingly sabotaging their own equipment through a critical, often overlooked component: the ductwork. At Keck Heating & Air, we believe that the delivery system is just as important as the furnace or air conditioner itself.

Conserving Energy and Lowering Bills

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that in a typical house, 10 to 30% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected sections. Practically speaking, this means that for every dollar you spend heating or cooling your home, up to 30 cents is vanishing into your attic, crawlspace, or garage.

Testing your ducts for leakage allows us to identify and seal these breaches. When supply ducts leak, the air you have paid to condition never reaches the rooms where it is needed, leading to hot or cold spots in your home and a thermostat that never seems satisfied. Furthermore, leaky return ducts reduce the system’s pressure, forcing your blower motor to work significantly harder to circulate air. This added load not only spikes your electric bill but can also lead to premature failure of your expensive HVAC components.

Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality

Beyond financial savings, duct tightness is a crucial factor in the health of your home environment. Your ductwork acts as the respiratory system of your house; if it is compromised, the air quality suffers.

When return ducts leak, they draw air from “uncontrolled spaces”—areas like musty basements, dusty attics, or wall cavities. Instead of recirculating clean, filtered air from your living space, your system begins to pull in:

• Contaminants: Dust, insulation fibers, pollen, rodent dander, and household chemical fumes are sucked into the system and blown into your bedrooms and living areas.
• Excess Humidity: In the humid Illinois summers, leaky returns pull moisture-laden air into the system. This overwhelms your air conditioner’s ability to dehumidify, leaving your home feeling clammy and creating an environment where mold and mildew can thrive.

Schedule Your Duct Test Today

Don’t let hidden leaks drain your wallet or compromise your health. Contact Keck Heating & Air today to schedule a professional duct leakage test. We can pinpoint the problems and provide the sealing solutions necessary to restore your home’s efficiency and safety.