That lines up with what I’ve seen—people crank up the HVAC and just end up wasting money if the ducts are leaking. But here’s the thing: did you actually check for leaks yourself, or bring in a pro? I’ve heard mixed things about those DIY sealants versus hiring someone who does a pressure test. Wondering if it’s really worth paying for the full inspection, or if most folks can just spot obvious gaps and call it good.
I crawled around my attic with a flashlight and some mastic tape, thinking I’d save a few bucks. Found a couple obvious gaps, but honestly, I have no idea if I got everything. Those pressure tests seem pricey, but maybe they’re worth it if you want to be thorough? Has anyone actually seen a big difference after paying for the pro test?
“I crawled around my attic with a flashlight and some mastic tape, thinking I’d save a few bucks.”
Been there, done that, got the itchy arms to prove it. Honestly, I did the same thing last year—patched what I could see, but I kept wondering if I was just playing whack-a-mole. I finally caved and paid for a pressure test when my electric bill didn’t budge much. Not gonna lie, it stung a bit paying for it, but they found leaks in spots I’d never have checked (like behind a wall vent). My bills dropped a little after, but the peace of mind was the real win. If you’re already up there doing the dirty work, maybe hold off unless you’re seeing crazy bills or drafts. Sometimes DIY gets you 80% there.
I hear you on the pressure test—those hidden leaks are sneaky. I tried the incense stick trick around my vents and attic seams, but honestly, it’s tough to catch everything. Did you notice any rooms that felt way colder or hotter before you did the pro test? Sometimes I wonder if uneven temps are a better clue than just high bills.
Honestly, I wouldn’t rely too much on uneven temps as the main clue. In my last place, the master suite was always a bit warmer, but it turned out to be a design flaw, not a leak. High bills can be misleading too—sometimes it’s just the HVAC working overtime because of poor insulation. If you want to get serious, I’d go step-by-step: check for drafts with your hand, look for visible gaps, then bring in a thermal camera if you can borrow one. Those things spot leaks you’d never find with incense or just guessing based on room temp.
