Duct sealing is often expensive, but worth the cost in the long run. According to Angi, it costs $2,250 on average but can range from $500 to $4,000, depending on various factors. The benefits include improvements in energy efficiency and indoor air quality. If there are widespread issues with your HVAC system, leaky ductwork may be the reason. Air ducts can deteriorate over time, but duct sealing can fix the problem without replacing all your ductwork.
Why Is Duct Sealing So Expensive?
Wrapping tape or mastic around a leaky duct has limited benefits. It’s only a temporary solution and is often ineffective. Properly sealing an air duct requires complex tasks and high-quality materials that a licensed professional is trained to handle.
Hiring a professional means paying for the labor. For duct sealing, the average labor cost is around $2,000, which can account for up to 90% of the project cost. But that doesn’t mean you’ll save 90% by doing the work yourself; it’ll take more time and you risk inadequate sealing and mistakes that lead to spending even more on repairs. A professional has the training, tools, and equipment to get the job done right.
The following factors also contribute to the cost of duct sealing:
- The Size of Your Home: Duct sealing costs between $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot, depending on ductwork layout and other factors. The larger your home, the more ductwork it may have, and the more air leakage that may occur. For a 3,000-square-foot home, the cost of repairs can exceed $4,500. The project will be worth it if you have a large volume of air leaking, but the actual cost varies based on your unique circumstances.
- The Sealing Method Used: Manual sealing is more expensive because it’s more labor intensive. Metal tape and other solutions can seal large holes and gaps. However, Aerosol sealing may be more worth it. It is more affordable because it involves spraying a sealant into the ductwork, which adheres to small holes and seams to fix minor leaks. A technician will thoroughly evaluate your ductwork to determine if it’s an option.
- Where Your Air Ducts Are Located: The accessibility of your ductwork has a major impact on the cost of service. Sealing may be less costly if the technician can reach ducts in the attic, basement, or crawlspace than if they’re behind walls with no easy access points. Breaking through walls or using vents and air returns to access remote sections will increase costs. Yet, this can be worth it, especially considering how air leakage impacts efficiency.
- The Extent of the Air Leakage: Sealing larger gaps costs more than patching up small leaks. Also, expect higher costs if there are multiple leaks in the system. Sealing an accessible supply vent may cost around $50 (per vent). However, sealing leaks in ducts behind a wall, in the attic, or under a floor can cost $100+ each.
- Additional Services: On average, inspecting HVAC ducts costs about $150. However, it allows a technician to work more efficiently and determine the exact scope of the leakage. While an inspection may or may not be required, it can impact the success of the project and increase the odds of achieving long-term efficiency improvements.
Pressure testing is another service you may want to consider. It confirms that air ducts are properly sealed after professional service. A duct fan creates negative pressure in the ductwork, so a contractor can test for and fix leaks. However, it costs an average of $300 and can range up to $450.
Why Is Duct Sealing Worth It?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 20% to 30% of conditioned air can be lost due to duct leaks. Therefore, small holes, tears, or loose connections may be costing you lots of money. However, you should invest in professional duct sealing for the following reasons:
- Lower Monthly Energy Costs: When there’s a significant amount of air leakage from your ductwork, your HVAC system must work harder to compensate. It uses more energy no matter how efficient it was designed to be. Therefore, the cost of cooling or heating your home increases. Assuming you can cut up to 30% off your energy bill, duct sealing can be well worth the cost.
- Reduced Strain on Your HVAC System: Sealing duct leaks can also protect your air conditioner and heater. It may run more frequently or cycle more often to make up for lost air, which increases wear and tear on the system. Duct sealing can reduce wear, performance issues, and system failures. It can save you thousands of dollars by avoiding HVAC breakdowns, major repairs, and potentially early replacement.
- Improved Comfort: It’s difficult to put a dollar value on comfort, but it directly impacts your family’s well-being. A leaky duct system prevents the proper distribution of air throughout your home. While your HVAC system is working harder, air loss and air infiltration make it hard to achieve comfortable and consistent temperatures. Your home may be warm and sticky. No matter how often you adjust the thermostat, these conditions can make it hard to be productive or sleep.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Air that enters your duct system through leaks can contaminate your home. The cost of duct sealing is worth it when you consider the inconveniences that dust, dirt, pollen, mold, smoke, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants can cause. It can reduce allergy symptoms and contribute to improvements in your health. Aside from fresher air, sealed ducts can also eliminate unwanted odors.
- Fewer Safety Hazards: Combustion gases such as carbon monoxide can enter through leaky ducts and circulate in your home. This back-drafting can make the air in living spaces dangerous to breathe. Duct sealing restores the normal release of these gases outdoors. Your furnace, water heater, and clothes dryer can be run safely and you don’t need to worry about inhaling hazardous fumes.
- You Can Protect the Environment: Well-sealed ducts reduce energy consumption. Therefore, it helps reduce air pollution generated by your home and power plants that burn fossil fuels. If you’re environmentally conscious, having your ductwork sealed can be worth the cost knowing you’re working towards a greater cause.
How Can I Lower the Cost of Duct Sealing?
Professional duct sealing can be an investment, but there are ways to cut costs. One way is to take advantage of energy efficiency rebates and other financial incentives available in your area.
Rebates can reduce the cost significantly. Under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Efficiency Rebate program, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $4,000 for projects that reduce household energy use by 20% or more, or up to $8,000 if energy use is reduced by 35% or more. You may also qualify for an up to $1,200 tax credit.
Other ways to save money when getting your ductwork sealed include:
- Schedule an Inspection: An inspection may or may not be included in the total cost, but it can help find where the system is leaking and determine if a lower-cost method, like Aeroseal, can be used.
- Have Your Ductwork Pressure Tested: While it adds to the upfront cost, a pressure test verifies your air ducts are properly sealed, ensuring you’ll save on energy bills over time.
- Include Add-On Services with Duct Sealing: If you schedule an air duct cleaning at the same time your local HVAC contractor seals your ducts, you can save a few hundred dollars since the tech is already on site.
How Long Does Duct Sealing Take?
The project can take from two to eight hours. This depends on the accessibility of ductwork and vents and the size of your home. Inspections and pressure tests also take time. Plan on being available throughout the day so the contractor can access all parts of your home.
Contact Air Stars
The benefits of duct sealing aren’t all financial. It can also improve your comfort and well-being, so having a professional inspect and seal your ductwork is worth the cost. At Air Stars, we provide duct sealing and insulation services in Salem, Keizer, and surrounding communities in Oregon. If your home isn’t comfortable, indoor air quality is declining, or you have uneven heating or cooling, schedule an air duct evaluation by calling (503) 832–5779 today.
