Have a question? Check out these frequently asked questions and perhaps the answer is in there!

Holes and cracks up to 5/8th of an inch wide (about the size of a nickel) can be completely sealed.

Inspection discovers any obvious break in the ductwork and, as the initial step of the duct sealing process, the Aeroseal system will establish an exact amount of leakage in the duct system. Many people already know that a room or two in their house doesn’t get good air circulation, or that their energy bill is high. The diagnostic measurement provides a scientifically valid means to understand the performance of your air duct system. Homes typically leak 30% to 40% or more of their air through air duct leaks.

A series of government reports have shown that air duct sealing can lead to up to $300 in energy savings per year. Some homeowners have saved up to 40% on their energy bills. Exact savings depend on your weather, house condition, heating and air conditioning system, system usage, and energy prices.

Simply put:

• Preseal test to measure the leakage as a baseline for measuring progress.
• Block off the registers with foam or plastic.
• Inject a UL tested and approved aerosol into the duct system.
• Sealant is deposited precisely at the air duct holes or cracks where leakage occurs.
• A computer and sensors measure and control the progress. The technology is patented from the University of California and endorsed by the EPA.
• Postseal test to measure improvements.
• Complete report and certificate printed on the spot to provide a record of improvements.

The vinyl sealing material remains rubbery, never cracking.

The sealing material has been found in rigorous testing to last over 10 years without failure.

In most instances, duct cleaning is not required prior to Aeroseal sealing. Your Aeroseal contractor can advise whether it will be necessary.

The sealant only sticks to the holes in the air duct without coating the rest of the duct.

The sealant material consists of a water-based solution prior to application. The dried material primarily contains vinyl acetate polymer (VAP) and 2-ethyl-1 hexanol (2E1H). VAP has been used in paints, adhesives, and gum; 2E1H is a common industrial solvent and not considered toxic by OSHA. UL tested and no signs of mold growth or erosion.

The Aeroseal air duct sealing process leaves no lingering odor for the life of the product.

The Aeroseal sealing system can help improve the comfort of your home by reducing the difference in temperature levels throughout your home.

Some homeowners have saved up to 40% of their energy bills after having the Aeroseal air duct system installed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AEROSEAL ASK AN EXPERT

According to the EPA, only three times require duct cleaning:

• Ducts infested with rodents or insects
• Substantial mold buildup on ducts or part of the HVAC system
• Ducts clogged with dust particles being blown into your home

No set schedule exists; cleaning is on an as-needed basis.

Yes. Many air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger allergies and worsen asthma. High concentrations can cause eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and memory impairment. Studies have also found chemicals like phthalates that aggravate asthma.
Read more about improving indoor air quality.

The EPA suggests three strategies:

• Eliminate the source of air pollution
• Improve ventilation
• Install an air cleaner

Common signs include inconsistent temperatures, higher energy bills, excessive dust, and weak airflow. A professional inspection can confirm the presence of leaks.

A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air. Lower humidity keeps you comfortable and reduces strain on your HVAC system, saving energy.

Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. Average home air quality is 2-5 times worse than outdoors. Poor air quality has been linked to heart attacks, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer.

UV lights installed in your HVAC system are designed to kill mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses, creating cleaner, healthier air. Learn more.

Check your air filter at least once a month. Replace if dirty. Dirty filters restrict airflow, raise energy bills, increase repairs, and reduce HVAC lifespan.

Ducts control air distribution. Damaged, poorly installed, or leaking ducts reduce system efficiency and effectiveness, causing uneven temperatures and discomfort.

• Make sure all your upstairs supply vents are open and no furniture or drapes are blocking them.
• Turn your thermostat fan to “on” instead of “auto” to circulate air constantly. Caution: This uses more electricity, so switch back to “auto” when away or sleeping.
• Consider a zoned cooling system, allowing each area to be controlled independently.

• Blows hot air all the time or only when very hot outside
• Frost on indoor coils
• Runs constantly but can’t reach the set temperature

Could also indicate:

• Dirty air filter
• Dirty outside unit
• Malfunctioning condenser fan or other mechanical issues

If low on refrigerant, a leak should be checked.

Air conditioner size is measured in tons. A professional Manual J heat load calculation considers your home’s specifics to ensure efficient sizing.

No. Closing vents increases duct pressure, aggravates leaks, and can raise costs.

Keep it at AUTO. ON runs the fan constantly, increasing electricity use while distributing air more evenly.

No. Covers can trap moisture, cause rust, mold, or provide hiding spots for critters. AC units are built to withstand outdoor elements.

Twice a year: spring before summer and fall before winter, as recommended by DOE and EPA.

One ton cools 400 sq. ft. Determine tonnage with a professional to avoid over/undersizing and inefficiency.

An air conditioner that can reverse to heat, providing cooling in summer and heating in winter, efficiently for moderate climates.

Only higher energy bills. Ceiling fans allow raising thermostat by ~4°F without discomfort.

Use calculators:

• NATE – Annual Energy Savings Calculator
• Energy Star – Central Air Conditioning Saving Calculator

Hot vents may be caused by dirty filters, low refrigerant, or dirty evaporator coils.

Depends on SEER rating, current vs. new, and electricity costs. Use NATE Annual Energy Savings Calculator.

Recommended insulation: 10–14 inches. Check relative to floor joists; below joists = need more insulation.

Possible reasons:

• Low refrigerant
• Dirty filter or coils
• Malfunctioning blower

Yes, higher efficiency saves energy immediately, but payback may take several years.

Causes include low refrigerant, air leaks, dirty coils, or undersized system.

Yes. Fans allow raising thermostat 4°F while feeling equally comfortable.

Minor condensation is normal. Excess water may indicate blocked drain, clogged pan, or refrigerant issues.

Signs include frequent repairs, higher bills, reduced airflow, noisy operation, and age over 10–15 years.

“Emergency heat” forces your heat pump to use its backup heating unit (which may be a furnace if you have a hybrid heat system.) You should never set your thermostat to “emergency heat” just because it gets cold outside. Its purpose is for if your heat pump stops heating your home—basically, an emergency.

Typically, you want to keep it set to AUTO. That way the fan will only work when it’s being cooled or heated. Setting it to ON means your system’s fan is constantly blowing air out the vents. While this helps evenly distribute air in your home, it’s much more expensive. So keep it at AUTO most of the time.

Don’t be alarmed. This is normal. You don’t use your heating equipment much in Florida, so that allows dust to settle on internal parts. So when you use your heating equipment for the first time in winter, the heating equipment burns off all that dust, causing the smell. A planned heating equipment maintenance visit from a professional involves cleaning off that dust and performing several other tune-up procedures that increase energy efficiency and save you money on your energy bills each month.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both recommend getting your heating and air conditioning equipment tuned up twice a year, once in the spring before the summer heat arrives and once in the fall. This will keep your equipment running safely and efficiently. Think of maintenance like getting your car tuned up before a long road trip.

An air source heat pump is an air conditioner that can also work in reverse to heat your home, effectively cooling your home in the summer and heating it in the winter. Its main appeal is that it’s also more energy efficient than a furnace in non-frigid climates like the Greater Tampa Area.

The recommended level of insulation in an attic is 10–14 inches spread evenly throughout the attic. You can eyeball this by looking at the insulation in relation to the floor joists. If the insulation is even with or below the floor joists, that means you need more insulation.

A furnace’s energy efficiency is measured by its AFUE rating. This stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This rating tells you what percent of the energy being used by the furnace is going toward heating your home. For instance, if you have an older furnace, the AFUE rating is probably around 50% to 60%. This means that for every dollar of fuel your furnace uses, only $.50 to $.60 of that dollar is actually going towards heating your home. The rest is lost in the fuel combustion process and sent out the flue pipe. Federal law now states that furnaces have an AFUE rating of 80%. So if you have a much older furnace, it could benefit you to upgrade to a newer furnace to get major energy efficiency savings.

A geothermal heat pump works as a home heating or cooling system by pumping heat into or from the ground. Using the steady moderate temperatures found inside the earth helps to improve energy-efficiency and lowers the costs of heating or cooling your home.

Heat pumps are great for climates with moderate heating and cooling needs and offer energy-efficient alternatives to more traditional heating and cooling methods. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one location to another rather than generating heat. During the winter, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your home and in the summer months, heat is transferred from inside your home to outside.

Heat pumps are great because they can warm or cool your home depending on the time of year. Benefits include:

• Year-round cost savings
• Enhanced humidity and temperature control
• Provides even temperatures throughout your home
• Uses less energy to heat or cool your home
• Not dependent on fossil fuels which leads to price fluctuations

The best thing to do is schedule maintenance before the heating season is in full swing. But, if you’re not ready for that, there are a few steps you can take:

• Before you do anything, inspect your unit to make sure nothing flammable has been stored next to the furnace over the summer.
• Be sure to run your heater before you need it to eliminate the chance it won’t work on the first cold night you turn it on.
• Dirty air filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency – sometimes even damaging your unit. Change the filters regularly.
• Check all access panels to be sure they are secure, with screws in place.

While how often you change (or wash, if you have a re-useable filter) your home’s air filter depends on the type of air filter you have, we recommend checking it at least once a month. If the air filter is visibly dirty – replace it. Dirty air filters restrict airflow to your home heating and cooling system, which can result in higher energy bills, more repairs, an uncomfortable home and a shorter life for your HVAC equipment.

Without insulation, heat could easily enter your home in the summer and escape in the winter. So, without enough insulation you’ll have:

• Higher energy bills
• A less comfortable home
• Heating and cooling equipment that run longer than they need to

Zoning makes your home more comfortable and helps you save on energy costs. Using multiple thermostats, your home is divided into independent zones. The climate of each zone is then independently controlled depending on your desired level of comfort. Common examples of zoning include separating the upstairs climate from the downstairs in a two-story home, or establishing a special zone for sleeping and living areas.

Regular maintenance is vital to the performance and lifespan of your heating or cooling system. Benefits of regular maintenance include:

• Help system perform efficiently and cut down on high energy costs
• Prolong the life-span of the equipment
• Help eliminate the risk of unexpected and costly repairs
• Maintain manufacturer’s warranty
• Ensure the system is running without risk to your health or safety

Programmable thermostats allow you to customize your temperature settings based on your needs and lifestyle. With programmable thermostats, you can create custom schedules so your home is comfortable when you need it to be. When you’re not running your heating or cooling system excessively, the energy savings are enormous.

By zoning your home, you have more control over different areas of your home without the need to regularly adjust the thermostat to reach a desired level of comfort. Rooms inside your home, which are traditionally warmer than others, are easy to control without placing extra strain on your HVAC system.

It is normal to notice an odor because dust collects on the heat exchanger over the summer, and when you turn on the furnace, it is burning that dust off. Carbon monoxide is odorless so you have nothing to be worried about there. It is always a good idea to use a carbon monoxide detector to ensure your safety. To be certain your furnace is running clean and safe, it’s best to schedule maintenance before the heating season kicks into full gear.