FCS3263
Energy Efficient Homes: The Duct System1
Wendell A. Porter, Hyun-Jeong Lee, and Kathleen C. Ruppert2
1. This document is FCS3263, one of an Energy Efficient Homes series of the Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative
Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This material was prepared with the support of the Department of
Environmental Protection, Florida Energy Office. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Original publication date: Earth Day, April 22,
2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Wendell A. Porter, lecturer and P.E., Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Hyun-Jeong Lee, assistant professor, Department of Family,
Youth and Community Sciences, and Kathleen C. Ruppert, associate extension scientist, Program for Resource Efficient Communities, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and
other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry
Arrington, Dean
Quick Facts
• Typical duct systems lose up to 40% of your
heating or cooling energy.
• Leaky ducts make your HVAC work much
harder—ducts leaking just 20% of the
conditioned air passing through them cause your
system to work 50% harder.
• Leaks in your duct system = higher utility
bills.
• Duct leakage can result