Aeroseal is usually a larger investment than a duct cleaning, and it is worth understanding what you are buying before comparing the two.
What drives the cost
- Number of HVAC systems — each duct network is sealed separately
- Size and complexity of the duct system
- Starting leakage rate, which determines material and time
- Whether cleaning is required first
- Access and preparation
Why it is priced after measurement
The process measures duct leakage before and after. That pre-measurement is what makes an accurate quote possible, and it is also the number that tells you whether sealing is worth doing at all. A system with low leakage does not need it, and we will tell you that.
How to compare it against cleaning
Cleaning addresses what is in the ducts. Sealing addresses what is escaping them. In a Northeast Florida home with attic ductwork, leakage is frequently the more expensive problem — leaked conditioned air is gone, and a leaking return pulls hot humid attic air into the system continuously.
If your complaints are uneven room temperatures, high power bills or indoor humidity you cannot shift, sealing is the more likely answer. If your complaints are dust and odor, cleaning is.
The deliverable
A before-and-after leakage measurement for your system. That number is what separates this from generic duct sealing, and you should expect to receive it. More on how the process works.
Common questions
Is sealing or cleaning the better spend if I can only do one?
It depends entirely on what the inspection finds. If the ducts are loaded with debris, cleaning is the answer. If they are reasonably clean but leaking, sealing is. The two solve different problems and neither substitutes for the other, which is why we look before recommending one.
Does Aeroseal work on every duct system?
No. Systems with large physical openings, collapsed runs, or duct liner that has already failed need those addressed first — aerosol sealing bridges gaps, it does not rebuild ductwork. We assess that before quoting, because selling a seal on a system that needs replacement helps nobody.
How long does the seal last?
The LBNL research behind the process reported a service life in excess of ten years. In practice it is bonded to the duct material rather than adhered on the outside, which is why it outlasts tape and most hand-applied mastic at joints that move.
Will I actually see it on my power bill?
Often, but we will not tell you a figure before measuring your leakage. National-laboratory work found 15 to 20 per cent heating and cooling savings after sealing attic or crawlspace ducts. Whether your house lands there depends on how leaky it was to begin with, which is exactly what the before-and-after measurement tells you.
Can I just have someone seal the joints by hand instead?
For reachable joints, yes, and it is legitimate work. The limitation is reach: most leakage is at connections buried in insulation, inside walls, or above ceilings with no access. Hand sealing is good at what it can reach and does nothing about what it cannot.
