Gnarly fact:
If ducts aren't airtight and well-insulated, a home with central heating can lose
nearly two-thirds of its warm air before it even reaches the vents, according to the Department of Energy. That's like feeding two-thirds of your home heating dollars to a stray dog. Have a certified heating and cooling contractor check out your duct system,
seal air ducts, and repair places where pipes are pinched. That can translate into a less chilly house and help you save money.
1. Hire a contractor to thoroughly inspect and evaluate the air ducts in both the conditioned and unconditioned spaces of your home. (Living areas are conditioned; unconditioned spaces might include your basement, attic, or crawlspace.)
2. Ask the contractor to seal any leaks and repair any damaged air ducts.
Improve air quality. If any rooms in your home are especially stuffy, having your ducts sealed can improve the air quality in those rooms. (Concerned about air quality or have allergy symptoms? You might want to
replace your furnace filter, too.)
About leaky ducts in your garage. If you have leaky ducts in your garage, they can carry carbon monoxide and other pollutants into your home. Be sure to have the contractor seal any duct leaks in your garage.