Your home's ductwork is the circulatory system of your heating and cooling. When it's not functioning correctly, it can lead to a host of problems, costing you money and comfort. Leaky, undersized, or poorly designed ductwork can significantly impact your HVAC system's ability to effectively heat and cool your home.

The Energy Drain: Leaky Ducts

Leaky ducts are a common problem in many homes. It is estimated that 20% to 30% of conditioned air (heated or cooled air) can escape through leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. This means:

Higher Energy Bills: You're paying to heat or cool air that never reaches the rooms you want to condition. This leads to a significant increase in your monthly energy bills.

Increased HVAC System Strain: Your heating and cooling system has to work harder to compensate for the lost air, leading to increased wear and tear and potentially shortening its lifespan.

Uneven Temperatures: Leaky ducts can cause some rooms to be too hot or too cold, making your home uncomfortable.

The Airflow Obstacle: Undersized Ducts and Returns

Undersized ductwork or a lack of sufficient return air pathways can also create problems:

Reduced Airflow: When ducts are too small, they restrict the amount of air that can flow through them. This can result in weak airflow from your vents, making it difficult to properly heat or cool rooms, especially those farthest from the HVAC unit.

Stuffy Rooms: Rooms may feel stuffy and uncomfortable due to a lack of proper air circulation.

HVAC System Inefficiency: Your HVAC system has to work harder to push air through undersized ducts, reducing its efficiency and increasing energy consumption.

Pressure Imbalance: Inadequate return air can create pressure imbalances within your home. This can make it difficult to open or close doors and can also contribute to poor airflow.

Your air ducts are one of the most important systems in your home, and if the ducts are poorly sealed or insulated they are likely contributing to higher energy bills.

Your home's duct system is a branching network of tubes in the walls, floors, and ceilings; it carries the air from your home's furnace and central air conditioner to each room. Ducts are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials.

Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills, but you can reduce that loss by sealing and insulating your ducts. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces is usually very cost-effective. Existing ducts may also be blocked or may require simple upgrades.

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/minimizing-energy-losses-ducts