When I first moved to Birmingham, Alabama, I didn’t realize how dependent I’d be on both heating and cooling.
- I expected warm weather but not temperatures in the nineties as well as the thirties.
The humid subtropical climate creates hot and muggy summers and chilly winters. We get frequent thunderstorms and an average annual rainfall of 56 inches. Now and then, Birmingham even gets a bit of snow. My house is outfitted with a furnace and air conditioner that utilize ductwork to transport the heated and cooled air. I have been very conscientious about replacing air filters and scheduling professional maintenance for the heating and cooling units. For several years, I totally neglected the ductwork. Because the network of pipes is hidden behind walls and ceilings, I never gave it a thought. However, the air I pay for and that my family breathes passes through those pipes multiple times per day. I only became aware of the importance of the ducts after calling for air conditioner repairs. I had complaints with high energy bills, inconsistent indoor temperature and a great deal of dust floating around. The air conditioner seemed to be running non stop and yet the house felt slightly overheated and sticky. The technician inspected the system and discovered small holes in the duct system as well as gaps at the connections. Fortunately, the duct sealing solution was not overly invasive. The technician used a process called Aeroseal that targets the flaws from the inside. Highly pressurized air laced with polymer particles is pumped into the ductwork. As the air escapes through the imperfections, the particles cling to the edges, adhere together and form a tight seal.