In Florida, air conditioning isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With long, humid summers and year-round warmth, your HVAC system works hard to keep your home cool and comfortable. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that a significant portion of their cooled air never even makes it into their living space. It’s lost through leaky ductwork.
At Sunrise Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we’ve seen how unsealed or damaged ducts quietly drain comfort and efficiency from homes across Seminole, Orange, Volusia, and Lake Counties. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 20 to 30 percent of conditioned air is lost through duct leaks. That means for every dollar you spend cooling your home, up to thirty cents could be wasted before the air even reaches your vents.
Here’s why duct sealing is one of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs for Florida homeowners.
Why Ductwork Plays Such a Big Role in Efficiency
Your home’s duct system is like the lungs of your HVAC system. It carries cooled air from your air conditioner throughout your home and returns warm air back for re-cooling. When ducts are properly sealed and insulated, air flows smoothly, temperatures stay consistent, and your system doesn’t have to work as hard.
But when ducts leak, that balance is broken. Cool air escapes into attics, crawlspaces, or wall cavities instead of your rooms. Your AC must run longer to compensate, which increases energy use, wear on components, and utility bills.
In Florida homes, this problem is even more common because ductwork is often located in hot, unconditioned spaces like attics or garages—exactly where you don’t want your cooled air escaping.
Common Causes of Leaky Ducts
Several factors can lead to duct leaks, especially in older or heavily used systems:
- Poor installation: Duct joints not sealed properly during installation can come loose over time.
- Aging materials: Older ducts made from metal or flexible materials can crack or separate at seams.
- Vibration: The natural vibration of HVAC systems can loosen duct connections.
- Pests or rodents: Animals nesting in attics can chew or tear flexible ducts.
- Damage from maintenance or renovations: Construction or attic work can accidentally disconnect or crush ducts.
Whatever the cause, the result is the same—air escapes where it shouldn’t, wasting energy and reducing comfort.
Signs You May Have Leaky Ducts
Most homeowners don’t see their ductwork every day, so leaks can go unnoticed for years. Here are some warning signs that your ducts may need sealing:
- Uneven temperatures between rooms
- Higher-than-normal energy bills
- Weak or inconsistent airflow from vents
- Excess dust around vents and registers
- A musty or stuffy indoor feel despite a running AC
- Noise from the duct system, such as rattling or whistling
If you’ve noticed these issues, it’s worth having your system inspected. Duct sealing often provides a noticeable improvement in comfort and efficiency almost immediately.
How Duct Leaks Waste Energy
1. Cooled Air Escapes Before Reaching Rooms
When air leaks into your attic or crawlspace, your system has to produce more cooled air to reach the same temperature inside your home. The longer your AC runs, the more energy it consumes.
2. Hot, Humid Air Enters the Duct System
In Florida, leaky ducts don’t just let cool air out—they also let warm, humid air in. This unconditioned air makes your system work harder to cool and dehumidify, adding strain and raising utility costs.
3. Reduced Air Pressure
Airflow depends on balanced pressure. Leaks disrupt that balance, leading to weaker airflow at your vents. This can create uneven cooling, making some rooms comfortable while others stay warm.
4. Increased Wear and Tear
When your HVAC system runs longer to overcome air loss, every part—compressor, fan motor, and blower—faces extra strain. Over time, this leads to more frequent repairs and a shorter system lifespan.
The Benefits of Professional Duct Sealing
1. Lower Energy Bills
By preventing air loss, duct sealing helps your system cool your home more efficiently. Homeowners often see energy savings of 10–20 percent or more, depending on how severe the leaks were.
2. Improved Comfort
Sealed ducts deliver consistent airflow throughout the home, eliminating hot spots and uneven temperatures. You’ll notice rooms cooling faster and staying comfortable longer.
3. Better Indoor Air Quality
Leaky ducts can pull dust, insulation fibers, or even mold spores from attics or crawlspaces into your home’s air supply. Sealing those leaks helps prevent these pollutants from circulating indoors.
4. Reduced Humidity
By keeping humid air out of the system, duct sealing helps your AC maintain proper humidity levels. This is especially important in Florida, where high humidity can make even cool temperatures feel uncomfortable.
5. Longer System Life
With less stress on your AC unit, duct sealing reduces wear and tear. This helps extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment, saving you money on repairs and replacements.
6. Lower Carbon Footprint
More efficient HVAC operation means less energy consumption, which reduces your environmental impact. Duct sealing is an eco-friendly improvement that benefits both your wallet and the planet.
How Professional Duct Sealing Works
While some homeowners try to seal ducts using tape or DIY kits, true efficiency gains require professional-grade materials and testing. Here’s how the process works at Sunrise Heating & Air Conditioning Inc:
Step 1: Duct Inspection
Our technicians inspect your duct system visually and with specialized tools to identify leaks, disconnected joints, or damaged sections.
Step 2: Airflow Testing
We use pressure testing to measure how much air is escaping and pinpoint problem areas throughout the system.
Step 3: Sealing Leaks
Once the leaks are identified, we apply a professional-grade sealant designed to withstand heat and pressure without cracking or deteriorating. We seal around joints, seams, and other weak points in the ductwork.
Step 4: Verification
After sealing, we retest the system to confirm the reduction in air loss and improved airflow. You’ll often feel the difference right away in stronger, more consistent air output.
Step 5: Optional Duct Insulation
If your ducts are located in a hot attic, we may recommend adding insulation to further reduce heat gain and energy waste.
When to Schedule Duct Sealing
Duct sealing is beneficial for nearly every home, but it’s especially important if:
- Your HVAC system is more than 10 years old
- You’ve noticed rising energy bills or weak airflow
- You’re replacing or upgrading your AC system
- You live in a home built before 2000 (many had minimal duct sealing)
- You’re planning to improve insulation or attic ventilation
Combining duct sealing with other upgrades—like insulation, surge protection, or preventative maintenance—creates a complete energy-saving solution.
Why Choose Sunrise Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for Duct Sealing
Since 1989, Sunrise Heating & Air Conditioning Inc has been Central Florida’s trusted HVAC partner. As a family-owned company, we take pride in providing honest, professional service designed to help homeowners get the most out of their systems.
Our duct sealing services include:
- Comprehensive inspections and testing
- Professional-grade sealing materials and techniques
- Options for duct insulation and replacement if needed
- Follow-up verification to ensure lasting results
We serve homeowners across Seminole, Orange, Volusia, and Lake Counties, offering dependable, energy-efficient solutions built for Florida’s climate.
Seal the Savings and Comfort in Your Home
Leaky ducts may be out of sight, but they can cost you hundreds of dollars every year in wasted energy. Professional duct sealing is one of the smartest, most cost-effective ways to improve comfort, lower bills, and protect your HVAC system.
Call Sunrise Heating & Air Conditioning Inc today at (407) 880-0000 or request a free quote online. Our certified technicians will inspect your ductwork, seal any leaks, and help your system perform at its best—keeping your home cool, efficient, and comfortable all year long.