Frequently Asked Questions About Duct Sealing & Maintenance
Targeted sealing of accessible problem areas typically runs $250–$800; comprehensive whole-home sealing generally runs $500–$2,000 depending on system size and access. Sealing accessible leaks during a scheduled maintenance visit is often a modest add-on. Written, itemized quotes before any work.
If your system leaks like a typical one — ENERGY STAR puts average losses at 20–30% — yes, and the payback is monthly: sealed ducts deliver conditioned air to rooms instead of attics. If an inspection finds your system is already tight, we'll tell you that instead of selling you sealant.
Ironically, no — cloth duct tape dries out and fails on ductwork within a season or two. Professional sealing uses mastic (a paintable sealant that hardens permanently in joints and seams) and UL-listed foil-backed tape rated for duct temperatures. Those hold for the life of the system.
An inspection every few years covers most homes — and always after a renovation, a rodent problem, or when airflow noticeably changes. Duct maintenance isn't a subscription; it's periodic verification that the system delivering all your heating and cooling still works as built.
If your ducts are leaking into unconditioned spaces, yes — you stop paying to heat the attic. The size of the savings tracks the size of the leakage, which the inspection quantifies before you spend anything. Sealing also reduces strain on equipment, which shows up as fewer repairs over time.
