As energy costs rise, homeowners are scrambling to find ways to reduce their bills. One effective way to increase efficiency and improve the circulation of heat in your home is to insulate your ducts. Sealed and insulated ducts will save you money year round since they also prevent cool air leaks in the summer months. Luckily, keeping air from escaping leaky ducts is an easy task. First, seal the duct joints and leaks with mastic tape or sealer.
Mastic sealant is a strong adhesive compound available at hardware and home stores.
High quality mastic tape works well for ducts, but despite its name, plain duct tape is not recomm ended. It will dry out and peel off in the long run. When wrapping the insulation, make sure it is foil-side out. You can seal the insulation seams with regular duct tape. An insulation rating of R-8 is recommended for cold climates.