How To Add Insulation To Your Furnace Ducts

If you feel that your central heating is not as effective as it used to be, you should fix this as soon as possible. Obviously, if your furnace is not running efficiently, you will have increased energy bills. Most people are happy to fix this problem, not only to save money, but also to reduce their impact on the local environment. This article explains a simple repair you can do to increase the efficiency of your furnace. By adding insulation to the output ducts that lead from the furnace into your home, you can reduce heat loss, increase airflow, and make it easier to heat your home.

The Importance of Adding Insulation

The size and length of the duct system that leads out of the furnace and into your home depends on several factors. Most importantly, it depends on where your furnace is located. In some homes, you could have over 10 feet of ducts. On other homes, there could be just a couple of feet of ducting. Regardless, the exposed ducts are extremely vulnerable to heat loss, especially if you live in a cold environment. Since most furnaces are located in a garage or basement, the temperature can be quite low.

Taping the Duct Seams

Before you wrap your ducts in any wool or foam insulation, you should tape the seams. By adding duct tape to the seams, you can ensure that there are no leaks. Even if you don't notice any leaks, taping the seams is smart. Once the insulation is wrapped around the ducts, it will be much harder to identify and fix a leaky seam. This is why it is better to be safe and tape the seams beforehand, even if you don't notice any leaking.

Applying the Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is the easiest to apply. You can cut it with a normal pair of scissors, but you need to be careful because it is very itchy. When handling it, you would be smart to wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt. You can use the duct tape to hold the fiberglass in place and create a strong, lasting seal. You can double wrap the ducts for extra insulation.

This is obviously a very simple project. You don't need any special tools, and you don't even need to turn off your furnace. However, it is a very valuable upgrade, especially for homeowners who live in extremely cold environments.

For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://www.getzschman.com.