Aeroseal Duct Sealing
Aeroseal Process
Aeroseal Duct Sealing is a patented breakthrough technology that tackles leaks from the inside out. Aeroseal software allows the technician to accurately measure the duct leakage in residential homes and commercial buildings. The Aeroseal process puts escaping air under pressure and causes polymer particles to stick first to the edges of a leak, then to each other until the leak is closed.
The technology was developed within the Indoor Environment Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, whose IAQ scientists tested it. The research was funded by US Environmental protection agency, US dept. of Energy, Electric Power Research Institute and California Institute of Energy and Environment.
The University of California was granted initial patents in 1996 and 1999, and Aeroseal holds an exclusive license to the technology.
- INTRODUCTION
Air Duct System Diagnostic & Sealing Process
The patented Aeroseal sealing process is the most effective, affordable, and viable method of sealing the central heating & cooling and ventilation ductwork in residential homes and commercial buildings.
The Aeroseal process won the "Best of What's New" award from Popular Science magazine, and the "Energy 100" award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE also rated the Aeroseal duct sealing process as one of the 23 most beneficial technologies available to American consumers that has come out since the agency was created.
Sealing the air duct system in your entire home typically takes only 4-8 hours. You'll immediately receive energy savings and a noticeable improvement in home comfort. Sealing process in commercial building depends on the leakage in the duct work and specific air flow or ventilation problem.
The Aeroseal duct sealing system effectively seals residential home’s and commercial building’s ductwork from the inside by using a UL tested and approved sealing material. It's clean, safe, and guaranteed for 10 years in residential application.
- DIAGNOSE & INSPECT
We Fix and Seal Leaky Ducts
- The amount and percentage of air leaking from the ductwork and other air flow or ventilation problems.
- Inconsistent temperature variations throughout the home or building.
- Air flow levels for each room.
- Backdraft and combustion safety hazard potential for fireplaces, furnaces, and gas heater rooms and closets in residential homes.
- Manual repair needs of air duct system.
In an Aeroseal air duct diagnostic, a certified Aeroseal technician inspects and evaluates your central air duct system and recommends ways to maximize your savings and improve your home comfort or improve building efficiency and solve air flow / ventilation problems.
Major factors during inspections are construction practices, type of duct work, age of the home / building, hot or cold or stuffy rooms, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems, high energy bills etc.
Aeroseal's trained and certified technicians use computer-based tools and reports to gather information about duct leakage and register airflows.
- SEAL & VERIFY
To start the Aeroseal duct sealing process, all room, ceiling or floor registers are replaced with foam plugs.
A small access hole is cut into the supply or return air plenum and a temporary collar is attached. The air conditioning indoor coil, fan, and furnace are temporarily blocked with a foam plug to avoid the entrance of any sealing particles into this equipment.
Once the system is properly sealed, the patented injection machine is connected to the air duct system using a flexible plastic tube.
The exclusive Aeroseal duct sealing system injects adhesive particles into the air duct system. The particles travel through the air duct system seeking holes and cracks that are located throughout the ductwork. The adhesive duct sealing particles attach directly onto the edges of any hole and crack, effectively sealing it without coating the inside of the ductwork.
When the sealing process is completed, the results are verified and provided to the customer.
The air sealing system results are guaranteed for 10 years for residential homes.
- RESULTS
After the ductwork sealing: Measuring the duct seal.
Once the Aeroseal air duct sealing is complete, the technician will again measure the duct system leakage.
A sealing certificate and a tightness certification are generated by the computer. The sealing certificate shows duct leakage amounts before and after sealing, as well a graph of the sealing process, plus overall heating or cooling capacity improvement. The tightness certification, affixed to your duct system, shows the tightness of the duct system after completion of the sealing process.
Aeroseal can reduce duct leakage by up to 90% and save a typical homeowner up to $1000 a year in energy costs and a typical building up to 30% of HVAC energy use.
- TECHNOLOGY
Aeroseal's aerosol ductwork sealing technology was invented and developed by the Energy Performance of Buildings Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1994. The research was funded by US Environmental protection agency, US dept. of Energy, Electric Power Research Institute and California Institute of Energy and Environment.
The University of California was granted initial patents in 1996 and 1999.
This technology internally seals duct leaks in air distribution ducts by injecting a fog of aerosolized sealant particles into a pressurized duct system.The key to the technology is to keep the particles suspended within the air stream without depositing on the duct surfaces until they reach the leaks, where they leave the air stream, deposit at the leak edges, and seal the leaks. Aerosol particles are directed toward and deposit at the ductwork leaks because:
- All supply, return and exhaust grilles are temporarily sealed, so that all the airflow passes through the ductwork leaks;
- Small aerosol particles are kept suspended in the airflow by continuous air movement;
- As the air stream makes a sharp turn to exit through a leak, the particles collide with and adhere to the leak edges; and
- Using adhesive solid particles allows the built-up seal to span leaks as much as 5/8 inch wide.
While energy savings resulting from reducing leakage vary based on climate, utility rates, and your heating and cooling system, the other goals of even temperatures in all rooms, improved indoor air quality, and reduction of odors and fumes will be achieved regardless of those conditions. In commercial building applications, Aeroseal also solves air flow and ventilation issues in addition to energy savings.
The Aeroseal 6-step process takes very little time to bring you big savings and comfort:
- Wall registers are covered in order for air to escape only through the leaks
- Sealant in injected into the ducts for approximately 1 hour
- Small aerosol particles are kept suspended in the airflow by continuous air movement
- As the air stream makes a sharp turn to exit through a leak, the particles collide with and adhere to the leak edges
- Ducts are sealed with only 1-2 oz. of the sealant material remaining in the ducts
- A computer-generated analysis summarizing your home’s or building’s amount of leakage is generated, providing verification of success of the process
Energy Savings
Does your home or building experience?
- High Energy Bills?
- Constantly Running System?
Over 90% of existing buildings located throughout North America have air duct systems that contain small holes and cracks that reduce the level of comfort and increase heating and cooling costs.
Leaks are caused by a variety of factors including the age of the dwelling, type of construction, type of ductwork and local building codes.
Repairing and patching leaks in HVAC duct systems saves cooling, heating, and fan energy. In air-based systems, ducts deliver all of the heating and cooling to conditioned spaces. Any duct leakage translates into extra air that must be supplied so sufficient heating or cooling reaches the conditioned space. This not only increases effective heating and cooling loads, it also increases fan energy due to increased flow and/or run time. Sealing duct leaks reduces the amount of heated or cooled air the supply fan must handle to deliver the same amount of air to the conditioned space.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What size of holes can be sealed using the Aeroseal air duct sealing process?
Holes and cracks up to 5/8th of an inch wide can be completely sealed.
- What does the Air Duct Diagnostic and Inspection tell me?
Inspection discovers any obvious break in the duct work and, as the initial step of the sealing process, the Aeroseal system will establish an exact amount of leakage in the duct system. Of course, many people already know that a room or two in their house doesn’t get good air circulation because they can feel it. Or, they already know that their energy bill is high because they see it. The diagnostic measurement, provides a scientifically valid means to understand the performance of your air duct system. Many people are surprised to learn that homes typically leak 30% to 40% or more of their air through air duct leaks.
- What are the estimated savings?
A series of government reports have shown that air duct sealing can lead to up to $850 in energy savings per year. Some homeowners have saved up to 40% on their energy bill. Naturally, exact savings are difficult to precisely estimate since they depend on a multitude of variables such as your weather, house condition and design, your heating and air conditioning system, system usage – as well as other factors like energy prices. Also, all Aeroseal air duct certified technicians are qualified to run a program made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called “Duct Investor”. Duct Investor takes a comprehensive list of variables and provides a homeowner with the best available estimate of what they should realize in cost savings.
- In a nutshell, how does an Aeroseal air duct seal work?
Basically:
- Preseal test to measure the leakage as a baseline for measuring progress.
- Block off the registers with foam or plastic.
- Inject an UL tested and approved aerosol into the duct system.
- Since the air has no place to go except out through the leaks (the registers are blocked), the sealant material is deposited precisely at the air duct holes or cracks where leakage occurs.
- A computer and sensors are used to measure and control the progress. The technology is patented from the University of California and the process is endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Postseal test to measure improvements.
- Complete report and certificate printed on the spot to provide a record of improvements.
- Does the air duct sealing material become brittle?
The vinyl sealing material remains rubbery, never cracking.
- How long will the air duct sealing material last?
The sealing material has been found in rigorous testing to last over 10 years without failure.
- Do air ducts need to be cleaned before air duct sealing?
It's likely that the holes and cracks in the ductwork have allowed dust and other particulate matter to enter the system. If you are experiencing extensive levels of household dust, this might be the reason. In most instances, duct cleaning is not found to be required prior to Aeroseal sealing. Your Aeroseal contractor can advise whether it will be necessary to clean your ductwork prior to sealing.
- Does the sealant coat the inside of the ductwork?
The sealant only sticks to the holes in the air duct without coating the rest of the duct.
- Is the sealing material used by the Aeroseal air duct sealing system safe?
The sealant material consists of a water-based solution (65% water) prior to application. The dried sealant material primarily contains two chemicals, vinyl acetate polymer (VAP) and 2-ethyl-1 hexanol (2E1H). The vast majority of what is left in the duct system is VAP, which has been used in water-based paints, adhesives, and hair spray. VAP has been used in chewing gum, and has no OSHA Exposure Limit. 2E1H is a common industrial solvent and is not considered toxic by OSHA. A review of the literature showed no ill effects after long-term exposure to concentrations of 200 ppm. The largest concentration of 2E1H measured in test houses was 1 ppb (200,000 times smaller), during Aeroseal injection. The sealant is UL-listed for smoke generation and flame spread (UL 723 0,0), and additional testing by UL showed no signs of mold growth or erosion.
- Does the sealant leave an odor?
The Aeroseal air duct sealing process leaves no lingering odor, and since the material does not put off gas over time, there will be no odor for the life of the product.
- If the rooms of my home have inconsistent temperatures, can Aeroseal improve the performance of my heating and A/C system(s)?
The Aeroseal sealing system can help improve the comfort of your home by reducing the difference in temperature levels throughout your home.
- Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system help reduce my utility bills?
Some homeowners have saved up to 40% of their energy bills after having the Aeroseal air duct sealing system seal their central air duct system. A typical homeowner should expect to see measurable reduction in energy use for Heating and Cooling.
- Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system reduce the noise made by the return and supply grilles in my home?
This noise is usually the result of two conditions. One is created when the ductwork is undersized and air is rushing through your air duct system. The other condition is caused when a limited amount of air is allowed to flow through the indoor coil of your heating and cooling system. Once the exact problem has been identified, your contractor can provide the best solution for noise reduction.
- Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system reduce the amount of dust in my home?
Ductwork runs through attics, crawlspaces, basements, garages, and walls. Leaking return air ducts pull in dust and other indoor air pollutants and sends them to the central heating and cooling system. From there they sent to the living areas of your home. The Aeroseal air duct sealing system can reduce the amount of leakage by as much as 90%, reducing dust and other indoor air pollutants from the conditioned air in your home.
- Is the sealing guaranteed or can I get my money back? What if it doesn't work?
Aeroseal provides a 10-year warranty on the seals created with our process. We have enormous confidence in the quality of our seals since they are based on Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research and a patent through the University of California. The EPA has endorsed Aeroseal, as have numerous local energy utilities. Note: the warranty is for on-site seal failures and does not cover additional damage (e.g. an electrician that steps on a duct while running wiring), wear or tear (i.e. the shelf life of a plastic duct is passed, rodents eat into a duct, or a duct rusts out), and subsequent replacement of failed ducting. Overall, in the 85000 plus seals done to date, we have received negligible number of warranty claims.