Signs You Have a Duct Problem
- One room is always 5–10° warmer or cooler than the rest
- High humidity even when AC is running
- Energy bills creeping up despite no usage change
- Visible dust around supply vents (it’s coming out of leaks)
- Whistling or moaning sounds from vents
- Recently added a room and HVAC can’t keep up
- House over 25 years old with original ductwork
- Ductwork visible in attic/crawlspace looks crushed, disconnected, or insulated poorly
How We Approach Duct Work
Manual D inspection
We walk every accessible duct run, photograph problems, and measure airflow at key registers. This is the assessment most contractors skip.
Aero-seal or mastic sealing for leaks
Small leaks: aerosol sealant from inside the duct (Aeroseal). Larger leaks: hand-applied mastic. We pick the right approach per leak.
Insulation upgrade
Old fiberglass duct wrap loses R-value when wet or compressed. We replace with R-8 or higher.
Resizing or rerouting
When the original duct system is undersized for the AC tonnage, we redesign it. This is the fix that solves “hot upstairs / cold downstairs.”
Full replacement when warranted
Sometimes the ducts are so far gone that replacement is cheaper than repair. We give honest advice — sealing $400 of leaks isn’t worth it on $4,000 of bad ductwork.
Pricing
Inspection + airflow report: $189. Aero-seal sealing: $1,500–$3,000 for typical home. Full ductwork replacement: $4,000–$10,000+ depending on home size and accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will sealing the ducts actually save me money?
Industry data shows 20–30% of conditioned air leaks before reaching rooms. Sealing typically pays back in 2–4 years on energy bills. Plus much better comfort.
Why is one room always hot?
Usually one of three things: undersized duct run to that room, leaky duct losing air before it gets there, or the return air path is blocked. Inspection identifies which.
How long does ductwork take?
Sealing: half-day to one day. Full replacement: 2–4 days depending on home size and duct accessibility.
Should I replace ductwork when I replace HVAC?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. New high-efficiency HVAC needs sized-correctly ductwork. If yours is original and the house is 25+ years old, we evaluate during the install consultation.