I've been having trouble keeping my house cool, and I just discovered that my air conditioning is leaking air into the crawlspace like crazy. It feels like my crawlspace entrance is acting like a vent! The crawlspace isn't supposed to be a conditioned space and it's not encapsulated. Unfortunately, I'm on a tight budget and can't hire help. I'm okay with making gradual improvements over time. What should I do to seal this issue?
2 Answers
It’s also worth checking if your air handler is in the crawlspace itself. If it is, that could be part of the problem! If it's in the main part of the house, make sure you check for broken ducts leading to the crawlspace.
First, check your ductwork for any holes or disconnected areas. If you find any broken ducts, that could definitely be the culprit. To fix things, you can use zip ties to better secure the duct connections. Applying duct mastic (a kind of sealant) around seams will help a lot in keeping the air contained. And don’t forget to insulate the ductwork too! If your registers are on the floor and there are gaps, consider using expanding foam for better sealing.