# ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing: Improve Comfort and Cut Waste

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/energy-star-duct-sealing/
- Published: 2014-01-18T23:04:00-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

**ENERGY STAR duct sealing** can improve comfort, indoor air quality and heating-
and-cooling efficiency. Leaky ducts waste conditioned air before it ever reaches
the rooms where you need it.

## Sealed Ducts Help HVAC Systems Work Better

For this week’s Do 1 Thing ENERGY STAR tip, it’s time to check your ducts and air
vents for leaks. And, make sure furniture, rugs and cats aren’t blocking air flow
for maximum energy efficiency!

**What are the benefits of duct sealing?**
 A duct system that is well-designed 
and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and safer.

**Indoor Air Quality**
 Fumes from household and garden chemicals, insulation particles,
and dust can enter your duct system, aggravating asthma and allergy problems. Sealing
ducts can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of pollutants entering
ducts and circulating through your home. Safety During normal operation, gas appliances
such as water heaters, clothes dryers, and furnaces release combustion gases (like
carbon monoxide) through their ventilation systems. Leaky ductwork in your heating
and cooling system may cause “backdrafting,” where these gases are drawn back into
the living space, rather than expelled to the outdoors. Sealing leaks can minimize
this risk.

**Save Money**
 Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by 
as much as 20 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers
your energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings. Plus, if you’re
planning to install new heating and cooling equipment, a well-designed and sealed
duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling
system that will provide better dehumidification.

**Protect the Environment**
 Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning
of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global
warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution
we generate. By sealing your ducts and reducing the amount of energy necessary to
comfortably heat or cool your home, you can reduce the amount of air pollution generated.

**Comfort**
 Sealing and insulating ducts can help make your house more comfortable—
for example, rooms that are too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

If you want more info, view ENERGY STAR’s [Duct Sealing brochure](https://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat_cool/ducts/ES_Duct_Sealing_flyer.pdf)
here. You’ll find info on finding the right contractor.

Please feel free to share this tip, and join the discussion on social media, with#
Do1ThingENERGYSTAR.

[⌊ENERGY STAR duct sealing and airflow efficiency in a home HVAC system⌉⌊ENERGY 
STAR duct sealing and airflow efficiency in a home HVAC system⌉[

Related: [home energy-efficiency upgrades that can lower utility bills](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/energy-efficiency-saves-home-bills-by-lowering-costs/).

## Start With the Biggest Leaks

Connections near furnaces, air handlers, plenums and accessible attic or basement
ducts are often good places to inspect first. Proper sealing and insulation can 
reduce wasted energy and improve room-to-room comfort.

For more home-efficiency ideas, see our [home energy savings guide](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/energy-efficiency-saves-home-bills-by-lowering-costs/).

## Conclusion

Duct sealing is not glamorous, but it can be one of the most practical home-efficiency
upgrades. Better airflow means less wasted heating and cooling.

Source: [ENERGY STAR](https://www.energystar.gov/).

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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