Case Study
Sealing is Believing
Project Overview
Location
Sacramento, California
Building
Rural Two-Story Country Home
Aeroseal Contractors
MaxSeal
Goal
Improve indoor comfort during the hot summer months and reduce energy bills
Before Aeroseal
145 CMF of leakage (equivalent to a 27.4 sq. inch hole)
After Aeroseal
27 CMF of leakage - 81.3% reduction
Results
Increased home comfort and received significant energy savings.
Type: Homeowner
Transforming a Sacramento Home with Aeroseal Technology
Fast, Effective Duct Sealing Helps Solve A Serious Airflow Problem And Turns A Skeptic Into A Loyal Customer
The homeowner had lived in his home in Sacramento for over a decade. In an area where
temperatures regularly soared above 100 degrees in the summer, keeping his house cool during the
sweltering summer months was no small feat. Despite having a relatively modern HVAC system, the
electricity bills were steadily climbing, and his home never quite reached the comfort levels he desired.
Challenges
The journey toward a more efficient and comfortable home began when the homeowner read a Bloomberg article about Aeroseal’s duct sealing technology. With the promise of significant energy savings and improved indoor air quality, he decided to take the leap and contacted MaxSeal, an Aeroseal contractor located in northern California. Initially, the homeowner was skeptical. His HVAC system, though efficient, seemed to struggle against the relentless Sacramento heat. He had heard of duct sealing before but was unsure if it would make a tangible difference. The ducts had never been sealed or even inspected for leaks in the 30-plus years since the house was built. His primary concern was whether the investing in duct sealing would actually pay off. Additionally, electricity rates, which had recently spiked, were adding to the monthly expenses, so budgets were tight.
For the homeowner, that’s cold air that he’s paid for . . . and it was essentially escaping from the house.
Alex Blakely -
MaxSeal
The Solution
From the first phone call, Alex Blakey and his team from MaxSeal worked to address all of the homeowner’s concerns, offering a detailed pre-seal inspection. On a scorching Saturday afternoon, Alex and his lead technician arrived at the home and spent the next hour meticulously measuring registers, examining the air handler, and discussing the sealing process. To pinpoint the exact locations of leaks, the team conducted a fogging test. As they moved through the house, sealing off registers and preparing the system, a surprising discovery was made. Fog was billowing out of the siding above the kitchen window—an unmistakable sign of significant duct leakage. This visual proof was all the additional convincing that the homeowner needed. Per Mr. Blakely: “For the homeowner, that’s cold air, that he’s paid for, that’s air that he’s paid to cool, right? And it’s essentially escaping outside the house.”Implementation
The sealing process began early in the morning, ensuring minimal disruption to the homeowner’s daily routine. After pressurizing the ductwork and running an initial system test, they proceeded with the actual sealing, injecting the sealant into the duct system where it was guided by the air pressure directly to the leaks. In a matter of a few hours, MaxSeal had sealed both the supply and return ducts using Aeroseal’s patented technology and the results were immediate. Following the sealing, Alex conducted another fogging test. This time, there was no sign of fog escaping from the house. The kitchen registers, where the leak through the house siding was found, showed a 32% increase in air volume (49 CFM’s to 65 CFM’s). The homeowner was impressed. The air that had been leaking outside, costing him money and comfort, was now securely contained within his home.Results
The data spoke for itself:- Initial Leakage: 145 CFM (equivalent to 27.4 sq. in. hole)
- Post-Sealing Leakage: 27 CFM (equivalent to 5.1 sq. in. hole)
- Leakage Reduction: 81.3%
- Efficiency Improvement: 98.1% of system capacity
- Energy Savings: Reduced HVAC runtime meant lower electricity consumption, leading to decreased bills.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Sealing leaks prevented dust, allergens, and pollutants from entering the duct system.
- Enhanced Comfort: More consistent temperatures throughout the home, especially in the kitchen area, where the most significant leaks were found.
Conclusion
Aeroseal’s duct sealing technology provided the homeowner with a simple solution to his HVAC
inefficiency challenges that didn’t require any demolition or equipment replacement. The significant
reduction in duct leakage, coupled with the potential of substantial energy savings, underscored the
value of Aeroseal’s approach. This narrative illustrates how proven technology can drive operational
improvements and cost efficiencies in residential settings.
For more information on how Aeroseal can improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, visit
Aeroseal’s website or contact MaxSeal at 877-FIX-DUCT.
