Protect Your Home: Why You Should Check Your Ducts This Summer
Summer heat can turn your home’s ductwork into a silent culprit, driving up energy bills and compromising your comfort and health. At Dave Hoh’s Home Comfort & Energy Experts, we offer free home evaluations to inspect your ducts in harsh environments like attics and crawl spaces. Here’s why it’s critical to act now.
What Makes a Duct Environment "Hostile"?
A "hostile environment" for ducts is any space where extreme conditions—heat, humidity, or poor insulation—can damage ductwork or reduce its efficiency. The two most common culprits are attics and crawl spaces.
Attics can soar to 140°F in summer as the sun bakes your roof, radiating heat downward. This intense heat warms the ducts carrying your cool air, causing it to lose its chill before reaching your living spaces. The result?
- Warmer indoor air, making your home feel stuffy.
- Overworked AC units, running longer and driving up energy costs.
- Higher energy bills due to inefficiencies.
Poorly insulated attics can also release fiberglass particulates into the air. If your ducts aren’t properly sealed, these particles can infiltrate your home through leaky return ducts, degrading indoor air quality and posing health risks.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that as much as 30% of the conditioned air is lost due to duct leaks!
Crawl spaces, especially those that are vented or poorly insulated, are another trouble spot. Humidity and moisture can seep into unsealed ducts, leading to:
- Unhealthy air quality, as damp air circulates through your home.
- Condensation on ducts, fostering mold growth.
- Higher energy bills, as leaky ducts waste conditioned air.
Unencapsulated crawl spaces allow outside air to infiltrate, pulling in allergens, moisture, and pollutants that your HVAC system then spreads indoors.
Common Summer Complaints We Hear
During our free evaluations, we often hear homeowners say:
- “My AC is running nonstop.”
- “My home feels too hot and stuffy.”
- “My AC keeps cycling on and off.”
- “My energy bills are skyrocketing.”
These issues often trace back to ductwork struggling in hostile environments and/or poor air sealing and insulation.
Our Solution: Expert Duct Evaluations
At Dave Hoh’s Home Comfort & Energy Experts, our free home evaluations pinpoint duct-related problems and offer tailored solutions to improve:
- Comfort: Keep your home cool and refreshing all summer.
- Energy Efficiency: Lower your bills by sealing leaks and optimizing duct performance.
- Indoor Air Quality: Ensure clean, healthy air for your family.
Don’t let hostile environments sabotage your summer comfort. Call us today to schedule your free home evaluation and let our experts restore your home’s efficiency and air quality.
Watch our video for a clear explanation of what creates a "hostile" duct environment and how it impacts your home’s comfort and efficiency.
Contact Dave Hoh’s Home Comfort & Energy Experts at 1-732-807-4911 or visit DrEnergySaverJerseyShore.com to book your free evaluation now!
