TOPIC: Air Leaks

I am finding a lot of air leaks where the furnace meets the air handler. There is no mastic to seal this area and air is leaking out in the attic or crawlspace. we do inspections in NC and SC. Do you see a lot of air leaks in your area. There are a lot of air leaks where the A/C line go into the air handler. Some times they will punch out the drain line plugs where it would drain if it set upright but lay it down and do not put the plugs in.

Yes

I find numerous flex ducts poorly sealed, secured and call out quite often in attics/crawls.

If I was an energy auditor this would be a high priority. One day I hope to become a Certified energy auditor and use IR technology.

When it's as warm as it is right now... I seem to quickly find air leaks fairly easily.

One of the most common is where the evaporator coil meets the furnace. Last week on a New Construction Home, I found a 1/2" gap in this location on BOTH of the furnaces, it was a dual split HVAC system. I'm usually comfortable of the HVAC components themselves, it's installation issues like this where someone forgot to seal these areas meet. AND we are supposed to have duct testing here... on at least "some" of the new construction.

Made it nice and cool in the attic which is unusual for me this time of the year. Lot's of energy loss there... but "new construction doesn't need to be looked at, right"

Heh