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Leaky Ducts: The #1 Cause of high heating bills

We know your ducts are leaky

We have tested hundreds of home and have found that most homes, even homes built in the past five years, have leaky air ducts.  In fact, some ducts are so leaky that half the air going through them is being wasted.

Until very recently, the standard way to install ducts in homes was to tape them together using duct tape.  Now ask yourself, “How long does any tape last?”   We all know that tape doesn’t stay sticky very long – especially when it is used on cold metal ducts that are located in hot dusty attics or cold, damp crawlspaces.

There are two big problems with leaky ducts.

1. First, when your ducts leak it means that the money you are spending to heat and cool your home is escaping into your homes crawlspace and attic.  Why spend all that money on energy to heat your attic?
2. Second, leaky ducts are dirty ducts.  The more they leak, the more dust, dirt, mold, and other nasty allergens are being sucked into your ducts and into your home

Some Symptoms of leaky ducts

• Are your energy bills too high?  If so, then it could be that part of the cost of running your furnace is being wasted on ducts that leak.

• If some rooms are too hot, and others too cold, you may be having duct leakage problems.  The air is not getting to where it should go.

• Is your home dusty?  We have seen homes get dusty in less than three hours of running the furnace – all because the ducts were leaky.

• Does your home smell like your crawlspace, especially after a rain?  This too can be a sign of leaky ducts that are bringing crawlspace air into your home.

• Do your furnace filters get dirty and require frequent replacement?

Sealed Ducts are now the law

The California Energy Code now requires that heating contractors test all newly installed duct systems in most parts of of the State, yet many heating contractors still do not have the training, equipment, or motivation to do this important testing. Don't just take our word for it. Visit The California Energy Commission's Website to read a letter about duct sealing requirements that all heating contractors should be following: "Any contractor failing to obtain a required building permit and failing to test and repair your ducts is violating the law and exposing you to additional costs and liability. Watch this short video below as Jake guides you through a duct leakage test at a customer's home..."

Do you know your duct leakage number?

The first step in fixing ducts is to test them. Our technicians use a calibrated testing system, called a “duct blaster”, to pressurize and accurately measure the exact leakage percentage of your home’s duct system.  California code requires 6% or less in allowable duct leakage.  Do you know your home’s duct leakage percentage?

Do You Know…
Typically, 10%-30% of a home's heated air is wasted due to leaky ducts. Properly sized, installed, and sealed ductwork will make your heating and cooling systems significantly more efficient.
 
Do you know…
And NO -- the furnace is NOT always the biggest source of energy inefficiency in most of the homes we test! In fact, leaky or poorly designed ducts can account for up to 30% inefficiency in your heating/cooling system and lead to hundreds of lost dollars each year!

How do we test your ducts? First we attach the duct tester to the duct system Next the supply registers and any remaining return grills must be taped closed. After the duct system is temporarily sealed, the duct tester fan will be turned on to pressurize the duct system to a predetermined level (usually 25 Pascals) until the pressure level is stabilized. We then record the fan pressure and convert this to a fan flow in cubic feet per minute. Finally the results will show how leaky your duct system is and help you determine if sealing or repair work is necessary.
WEB SPECIAL!! Fill out the form on our webpage. Enter “duct testing web special” in the coupon code box and you will receive a $149 coupon for duct testing. This is the lowest price we offer.
Act Now – Sandium is here to help you Testing and sealing your home's ducts is the most cost effective way to reduce your energy bills.  You home will have fresher, cleaner, and healthier indoor air.  You will feel more comfortable.  Sandium is 100% dedicated to providing you with a safe, healthy, and energy efficient living environment. Our fully trained and certified technicians will inspect, test, and seal your ducts to provide you with a cost effective solution that will slash your home's energy costs. Sandium’s duct leakage test costs only $149 and takes about 1 hour to complete.  All of our technicians are experienced Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning specialists. Every duct leakage test ends with our technician presenting you with a detailed analysis of our results. Any and all problem areas will be identified along with a comprehensive list of options.  Just the facts about your home and our suggestions for making it healthier, more energy efficient, and most importantly: More comfortable.