Duct Sealing in Tigard, OR

Duct Sealing Tigard Or

Leaky air ducts can lead to uneven temperatures, higher energy bills, and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system, making timely duct sealing in Tigard, OR an important step toward improving home comfort and efficiency. By sealing leaks and preventing air loss, you can lower utility costs, enhance indoor air quality, and extend the life of your heating and cooling equipment. With proven expertise and a commitment to quality, Best Owner Direct HVAC & Electrical ensures your ductwork is properly sealed the first time, so you can enjoy reliable comfort and lasting savings.

Why Duct Sealing Matters in Tigard Homes

1. Lower energy use: Leaky ducts can lose 15 to 30 percent of conditioned air before it reaches living spaces. That means your heater or air conditioner runs longer to hit the thermostat setpoint.
2. Improved comfort: Rooms that were always too cold in winter or too warm in summer are often the first to benefit from reduced duct leakage.
3. Better equipment performance: Reduced runtime and improved airflow lower strain on furnaces, air handlers, and heat pumps common in the Portland metro area.
4. Indoor air quality: Sealing ducts located in attics, basements, or garage-adjacent plenums prevents dust, insulation fibers, and outdoor pollutants from being pulled into the conditioned air stream.

Common Duct Problems We Diagnose in Tigard

1. Disconnected or poorly joined ducts in attics and crawlspaces
2. Leaking boots and registers at floor or wall connections
3. Perforated flex-duct, pinholes, and crushed sections
4. Unsealed plenums and seams at the furnace or air handler
5. Ducts routed through unconditioned spaces without insulation or proper sealing

How We Find and Measure Leaks

A proper duct sealing service combines visual inspection with objective tests so you know where the leaks are and how much leakage is reduced.

1. Visual and thermal inspection: Technicians inspect access points, seams, and connections. Infrared imaging can reveal temperature differences that point to leaks or insulation gaps.
2. Smoke or flow visualization: A smoke pencil or theatrical fog shows air escaping from registers or seams in real time.
3. Pressure testing (duct blaster): The industry-standard test uses a calibrated fan to pressurize the duct system and measures leakage in CFM at 25 Pascals (CFM25). Typical older systems may show several hundred CFM25 of leakage; well-sealed systems often measure under 100 CFM25. The duct blaster test gives a baseline and verifies improvement after sealing.
4. Airflow and static pressure checks: Measuring supply air to key rooms (in CFM) and system static pressure shows how sealing affects performance and comfort distribution.

Our Sealing Techniques

We choose sealing methods based on where leaks are located and how accessible they are.

1. Mastic and mesh: A thick, paste-like sealant applied to seams, joints, and visible holes. Mastic remains flexible and is a long-lasting fix for accessible areas.
2. Foil-backed HVAC tape: Used for sealing joints where tape is appropriate. Only UL-approved foil-backed tapes should be used; generic cloth or duct tape is not effective long term.
3. Aerosol-based whole-house sealing: Often referred to by the common trade name Aeroseal, this method seals leaks from the inside of the duct system. It excels at sealing leaks that are unreachable by hand and is measured to reduce leakage dramatically during the procedure.
4. Mechanical repairs: Reconnecting loose ducts, replacing crushed flex runs, and adding collars or boot repair where needed.
5. Insulation and vapor control: After sealing, insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces reduces conduction losses and condensation risk during humid summer months.

Typical Improvements and Before-And-After Metrics

While every home is unique, typical results homeowners see after professional duct sealing include:

1. Leakage reduction: Commonly 50 to 90 percent reduction in measurable duct leakage (CFM25), depending on initial condition.
2. Energy savings: Typical HVAC energy savings of 10 to 30 percent on heating and cooling energy use, with larger gains in homes that previously had high leakage and ducts in unconditioned spaces.
3. Airflow improvements: Deliverable airflow to rooms can increase by 10 to 30 percent. Example: a bedroom that received 40 CFM before sealing may see 55 to 65 CFM after sealing and balancing.
4. Faster comfort: Temperature swing between rooms often decreases; you may see a 3 to 7 degree reduction in hot or cold spots.
5. Reduced run-time: Systems often cycle less frequently and run fewer total hours to maintain setpoints, improving equipment longevity.

All numbers above are typical industry ranges. Final results depend on duct layout, accessibility, and overall HVAC condition.

Bundling: Why Pair Duct Sealing with Cleaning and HVAC Tuning

Combining duct sealing with related services creates compounding benefits:

1. Duct cleaning plus sealing: Removes dust and debris that can interfere with airflow and then seals remaining leaks so cleaner air stays in the living space.
2. HVAC tuning: Calibrating blower speed, checking refrigerant charge, and verifying furnace tuning after sealing ensures the system operates at peak efficiency with the new airflow profile.
3. Filter upgrades and register balancing: After sealing, upgrading filters and balancing registers helps maintain the gains from the sealing work.

Bundled approaches often produce the best comfort and efficiency outcomes because they address both air movement and air quality.

What to Expect During a Professional Duct Sealing Appointment

• Initial walk-through and system inspection: Identify visible issues and problem zones like attics, crawlspaces, and garages.
• Baseline testing: Perform a duct blaster/pressure test, thermal scans, and airflow checks.
• Sealing work: Apply mastic, tape, or aerosol sealing depending on the situation; perform mechanical repairs and add insulation where appropriate.
• Post-seal testing: Re-run pressure and airflow tests to document improvements with before-and-after metrics.
• Report and recommendations: Receive a clear explanation of findings, test results, and any further recommended work like insulation or HVAC servicing.

Typical appointments vary in length from a half-day for minor repairs to a full day for whole-house aerosol sealing and comprehensive testing.

Maintenance and Long-Term Tips for Tigard Homeowners

1. Check registers and return grilles for obstructions and keep filters changed every 1 to 3 months.
2. Inspect attic and crawlspace access periodically for new duct damage or rodent activity.
3. Consider scheduling duct checks alongside annual furnace or heat pump maintenance to catch issues early.
4. If your ducts run through an unconditioned attic, make sure they are both sealed and insulated to minimize seasonal losses.

Sealing leaky ducts is one of the most cost-effective improvements for home comfort and efficiency in Tigard Or. With thorough diagnostics, industry-standard sealing methods, and coordinated HVAC tuning or cleaning, most homeowners see measurable reductions in energy use and a noticeable improvement in comfort and indoor air quality.

Maximize HVAC Performance with Duct Sealing in Tigard

Don’t let leaky ducts strain your heating and cooling system. With professional duct sealing in Tigard, OR, from Best Owner Direct HVAC & Electrical, you’ll see reduced run-times, more consistent airflow, and lower monthly utility costs. Our technicians provide before-and-after testing so you can see measurable results. Explore our special promotions and schedule your appointment today to get the most from your HVAC system year-round.