The word about aeroseal technology and the impact that duct leaks have on indoor comfort and energy savings is quickly spreading around the globe. But as with anything new, questions continue to arise about the technology, the process, the cost and the results. In fact, we are finding that there are about a dozen questions from homeowners and the professional HVAC community that seem to show up regularly on blog posts, Facebook pages and emails. Often times, these questions are followed by speculative answers or just plain misinformation. So the crack team in our Question Processing Department (yeah, sure, we have one of those) put together a list of the most common questions we get about Aeroseal, along with answers you can trust. If you have additional questions, pass them on and we’ll get you the answers.

Q1: Exactly how much money will a homeowner save by having his/her ducts aerosealed?

A: This is probably the number one question asked by most anyone thinking of having their home or building aerosealed. As you can imagine, the answer varies depending upon a variety of factors. If, for instance, you live in Kansas City where the furnace is likely in use 2/3^rds of the year, you will save more than someone who lives in a milder city like Portland, Oregon. Your utility rate, the severity of leakage, the design of the HVAC system and other factors all influence your energy costs and the actual amount you will save with Aeroseal. Not such a satisfying answer, I know. So let’s try this. After years of aerosealing homes, we can provide average savings that others have realized. Homeowners in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid Atlantic regions of the U.S. typically save $300 – $400 a year on utilities. Those in the Northwest, Southwest and South save $600 – $900 a year. And now the customary disclaimer… your mileage may vary.

Q2: How quickly will it take for a homeowner to get a return on his/her aeroseal investment? 

A: This is really part two to the first question, and so the answer is very similar…it depends. Figures show that with all things considered, homeowners see an ROI on average in 2.5 to 5 years.  My favorite anecdote to this question came from a homeowner who told me that when he showed his investment counselor the calculated energy savings he was expected to get from Aerosealing his home, he was told it was the best investment he could make. The broker said he couldn’t offer his client a single stock or investment option that would provide the type of return that he would be getting with Aeroseal.

Q3: How long will Aeroseal last?

A: Aeroseal has a ten-year warranty – but don’t confuse that with lifespan, which is much longer. Accelerated testing conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory resulted in Aeroseal showing no sign of deterioration in the aeroseal seals – and it continued to seal much past the life span of tape and mastic. It has been durability tested to over 40 years. It exceeds all UL standard tests for durability. So the guarantee – the strongest warranty in the industry – covers the contractor for 10 years for parts and labor for any failure in Aeroseal seal but Aeroseal seal itself has proven to last for decades.

Q4: Is it safe.

A: The aeroseal sealant itself consists of a vinyl acetate polymer. Its ingredients are those commonly found in hairspray and chewing gum. In other words, yes, it is very safe. It’s nontoxic (As certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and it is UL approved. Most telling however, is that aeroseal has been used at some of today’s most prestigious medical facilities – from the Mayo Clinic to Nemours Children’s Hospital. Day-to-day operations at these facilities often remained virtually uninterrupted during its application. It doesn’t get much safer than that.

Q5: How many homes have been aerosealed?

A: As of the end of 2013, nearly 100,000 homes have been sealed. Add about 200 additional homes to that figure on a weekly base.

Q6: Is there an odor?

A: At the time of application, there is a very mild odor, similar to that of Elmer’s glue. This dissipates completely within a few hours.

Q7: Will the ducts be covered with sealant?

A: Aeroseal does not coat the ductwork. It remains suspended in air until it comes to a leak and is forced to the opening. Here it clings to the edge of the hole and then to other sealant particles until the leak is completely sealed.

Q8: Does Aeroseal seal all leaks?

A: Aeroseal seals leaks as large as 5/8’’. This encompasses the overwhelming majority of problem leaks in today’s homes and buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy states that “small holes” are the biggest cause of duct leakage. These holes are found primarily along the ductwork seams and around fittings. It is true that in some cases, portions of the ductwork become disconnected and Aeroseal, of course, cannot remedy this situation. But the Aeroseal process will alert the professional that this problem exists and allow him to address and fix this problem. The bottom line is that, on average, Aeroseal effectively seals 95% or more of duct system leakage.

Q9:  Will Aeroseal seal flex duct? Fiberglass lined ducts? Fiberboard ducts?

A: Yes, yes and yes. In fact, we’ve yet to come across ductwork that Aeroseal will not effectively seal. That includes cement and brick passageways as well.

Q:10:  Why use Aeroseal when I can do it by hand with tape and mastic.

A: There are several reasons. First, it’s simply impossible to manually reach all the leaks in ductwork that has already been installed. The overwhelming majority of the duct is hidden or virtually impossible to access for manual sealing. If you want to have a real impact on energy savings and HVAC performance, you’ll need to reach and seal leaks throughout the entire duct system. Even in new homes, we hear again and again about new ductwork that has been installed and meticulously sealed by hand, yet continues to under perform due to leaks. And if the manual sealing passed code when first installed, it often fails just months later following climate changes or other external factors. With Aeroseal, you also get documentation of results. The process begins with a computerized analysis of the ductwork and ends with a post-test. You and your customers get a printout of the results that highlight the before and after results. Lastly, it’s just better. Studies comparing the two show that Aeroseal is 60% more effective and 30% less expensive than manually sealing ductwork. Have questions about Aeroseal? Let us know. We look forward to your comments.