Dillon V.
Feb 2026
Dillon V.'s Google Review
Great dude, great team, always gets my houses dialed in perfect ,
Air Duct Sealing in Sacramento
Hot rooms, dusty vents and high summer bills often trace back to leaky ducts. We measure the leakage, seal it with mastic or an aerosol sealant, then test again so you see the difference.
- CSLB #956515
- NATE-certified
- 24/7 emergency service
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Duct sealing closes the leaks in your heating and cooling ducts so the air you pay to cool or heat reaches your rooms instead of the attic. It starts with a duct leakage test, which measures how much air escapes, then seals the leaks with mastic, an aerosol sealant or both, and finishes with a second test to confirm the result.
According to ENERGY STAR, about 20% to 30% of the air moving through ducts in a typical house is lost to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. In Sacramento, where most ducts run through a hot attic, that loss shows up as warm rooms and long run times every summer.
Duct sealing vs. duct repair vs. duct cleaning
These three services get mixed up, and the wrong one won't fix your problem.
| Service | Fixes | Doesn't fix |
|---|---|---|
| Duct sealing (this page) | Many small and medium leaks at seams, joints, boots and plenums in ducts that are otherwise intact. | Crushed, torn or fallen-off ducts. Dirt inside the ducts. |
| Duct repair | Physical damage: disconnected runs, crushed or kinked flex, rodent damage, failed sections. | Hundreds of pinhole and seam leaks across the system. |
| Duct cleaning | Construction debris, pest contamination, heavy dust or mold in the ducts. | Leaks or damage. Cleaning doesn't change how much air escapes. |
Most sealing jobs include a few repairs, because a duct that has come off its collar has to be reconnected before the system can be tested.
Signs your ducts are leaking
- Rooms far from the air handler are hot in summer and cold in winter.
- The system runs a long time but the house never quite gets to the setpoint on a 100°F afternoon.
- More dust than you'd expect. Leaky return ducts pull dusty attic, garage or crawlspace air into the system.
- High summer bills compared with similar homes.
- Visible gaps, old cloth duct tape or loose joints at the plenum or register boots.
- A home inspection or HVAC changeout flagged leakage.
How a duct leakage test works
A duct leakage test, often called a duct blaster test, measures leakage as a number instead of a guess.
- Seal the registers. Every supply and return grille is temporarily covered.
- Pressurize the ducts. A calibrated fan connects to the system, usually at the return or the air handler, and pushes air in until the ducts reach a standard test pressure.
- Measure the airflow. The air the fan has to supply to hold that pressure equals the leakage, in cubic feet per minute.
- Compare to the system's airflow. Leakage is reported as a percentage of the air handler's airflow, which is how California's Energy Code sets its limits.
- Find the leaks. With the ducts under pressure, technicians check joints and plenums, sometimes with a theatrical fog, to find the worst leaks.
Aerosol vs. mastic sealing
| Mastic and hand sealing | Aerosol sealing (Aeroseal-type) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A thick paste brushed onto joints and seams, with mesh tape on larger gaps. Listed foil tape on some joints. | The ducts are pressurized and a fine sealant mist is blown in. Particles collect and build up at the edges of leaks until they close. |
| Reaches | Only joints a technician can see and reach. | Leaks inside walls, between floors and in tight attic sections. |
| Good fit | Accessible attics, plenums, boots and new duct installs. | Ducts that are hard to reach, or when hand sealing hasn't brought the number down far enough. |
| Limits | Slow in low or cramped attics. Can't reach buried or enclosed ducts. | Doesn't fix disconnected or crushed ducts. Those need repair first. Equipment and registers are blocked off during the process. |
| Proof | Before and after leakage test. | The equipment measures leakage live during sealing and prints a before and after report. |
Aerosol duct sealing was developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Many jobs use both methods: mastic on the big, accessible joints, aerosol for the rest.
Title 24 leakage limits on system changeouts
California's Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) is the reason many Sacramento homeowners first hear the words "duct test." At the time of writing (2026):
- Changeouts trigger testing. Replacing the air conditioner, heat pump, furnace or air handler, or altering more than 25 feet of duct, generally triggers a duct leakage test verified by an independent HERS rater.
- Existing ducts have a target. Since the 2022 code cycle, and still under the 2025 code in effect since January 1, 2026, the target for an altered existing duct system is 10% total leakage (or 7% leakage to outside), tightened from 15% under the 2019 code.
- New duct systems are held tighter. In new construction, total leakage with the air handler connected can't exceed 5% of the air handler's airflow. Entirely new duct systems in existing homes also face a stricter limit than altered ones.
- Permits. The changeout needs a permit, and the building department won't close it until the HERS verification is complete.
The code includes alternate paths for ducts that can't reach the target, and the details depend on the test type and your permit. Your HERS rater confirms the numbers that apply. If you're planning an AC replacement or furnace replacement, sealing the ducts is usually part of that project.
What sealing does for comfort and bills
- More air reaches the rooms. Air that used to leak into the attic now comes out of the registers, which helps the far bedrooms most.
- Shorter run times. The system reaches the setpoint sooner, which lowers energy use. Savings vary with how leaky the ducts were and where they run.
- Less dust. Sealed returns stop pulling attic, garage and crawlspace air into the house.
- Safer combustion. Leaky returns near a gas furnace or water heater can depressurize the space and affect venting. Sealing reduces that risk. Every home with a fuel-burning appliance should have working carbon monoxide alarms, which California requires.
- Equipment works as designed. A new high-efficiency system can't deliver its rated performance through leaky ducts.
Leaky ducts lose heat through the duct walls too. If your ducts are poorly insulated, crushed or undersized, sealing alone won't fix that. See duct repair and replacement.
What does duct sealing cost?
Pricing: every system and home is different, so we price each job after a free look at your equipment, ductwork and electrical. You get a clear, written price before any work starts. Call (916) 476-2222 to schedule.
What moves the price:
- Starting leakage. Very leaky systems take more sealing time and material.
- Method. Hand sealing an accessible attic, aerosol sealing or a combination.
- Access. Low attics, enclosed ducts and two-story homes add time.
- Repairs found along the way. Disconnected or crushed runs must be fixed before sealing.
- Code testing. HERS verification applies when sealing is part of a permitted changeout.
What's included in a duct sealing job
- Before-sealing leakage test with the results in writing
- Inspection of plenums, boots, joints and the return side
- Reconnection of any loose runs found during testing
- Sealing with mastic, listed tape, aerosol sealant or a mix
- After-sealing leakage test so you can compare
- Airflow and filter check before we leave
Where we seal ducts
We test and seal duct systems throughout Sacramento and nearby communities, including Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks and Rocklin.
Related services
Duct repair
Fix crushed, torn and disconnected ducts or replace old runs.
Duct cleaning
Remove construction debris, pest contamination and heavy dust.
AC tune-up
Keep the equipment at the end of those ducts running right.
Duct sealing FAQ
How much air do leaky ducts lose?
ENERGY STAR estimates about 20% to 30% of the air moving through ducts in a typical house is lost to leaks, holes and poor connections. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy found that attic and crawlspace ducts can lose 25% to 40% of their heating and cooling energy once heat loss through the duct walls is added.
What is the Title 24 duct leakage limit?
At the time of writing (2026), altered existing duct systems target 10% total leakage, and new duct systems face a stricter limit, such as 5% of air handler airflow in new construction. The test is verified by an independent HERS rater. Your rater and building department confirm the exact requirement for your permit.
Is aerosol duct sealing better than mastic?
Neither is better in every case. Mastic is durable and works well on joints you can reach. Aerosol sealing reaches leaks inside walls and tight spaces and measures the result as it works, but it can't fix ducts that are disconnected or crushed.
How long does duct sealing take?
Testing and hand sealing in an accessible attic usually takes most of a day. Aerosol sealing typically takes a few hours once the registers and equipment are blocked off, plus setup and the final test.
Do I need duct sealing when I replace my AC?
Often yes. A changeout in California generally triggers a HERS-verified duct leakage test, and ducts that fail have to be sealed. Planning the sealing with the replacement avoids a failed test and a second visit.
Is duct tape OK for sealing ducts?
Not the cloth kind. Standard cloth duct tape dries out and lets go in attic heat. Use mastic or a foil tape listed for duct sealing.
Find out how leaky your ducts are
A leakage test gives you a number, not a guess. Call or send a request, and we'll explain the test, the likely fix and what it costs before any sealing starts.
Why Choose Airflow Heating & Air?
Sacramento’s Premier Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists
- Clear, Upfront Estimates
Transparent pricing for system installs, replacements, and upgrades.
- Local, Family-Owned Business
Serving Sacramento for decades with reliable, personalized HVAC care.
- Energy-Efficient Systems
We install high-performance units that boost comfort and lower bills.
- Fully Licensed, Certified, and Insured
Our NATE-certified team services all major heating and cooling systems.
- Old-School Professionalism
We show up on time, work clean, and get the job done right.
About Us
Licensed and Certified
Contact Us
Brands We Install & Trust
Air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and ductless systems from the manufacturers Sacramento homeowners know.
- Carrier
- Trane
- Lennox
- Goodman
- Rheem
- Daikin
- Mitsubishi Electric
5.0
out of 5 stars
210+ Happy Customers
Real reviews from homeowners and businesses across the Sacramento area.
Toni P.
Jan 2026
Toni P.'s Google Review
I am so happy I went with this company. They are honest, friendly and reasonable prices. They went the extra mile. There were no surprise costs. Thank you Oleg and crew.
Marissa A.
Jan 2026
Marissa A.'s Google Review
We are thrilled with Oleg and the work he and his team did to install a heat pump, remove the A/C and detangle our hydronic heating system! The price was great, the work was great, the follow-up and follow-through were great. The team was super fast, getting it all done in one day. Oleg is such a great guy - extremely thorough, kind and does such good work. The inspector said "wow, he did a really clean job". We will highly recommend Oleg to anyone who needs HVAC!
skenic1952
Jan 2026
skenic1952's Google Review
I can’t say enough about Oleg and his staff, they were truly professional from initial diagnosis to installation. My heating system ceased working and my family and I were left in the cold. I reached out to Airflow based on the superlative reviews I saw in my research. Oleg came out and knew exactly what my issue was and also uncovered a problem with my dampening system which for the past 25 years no one was able to correct. Oleg told me what I needed, no sales pressure, promised to send me an estimate that day which he did. The cost was exceptionally fair and coupled with the impression Airflow had made I decided to go with them without further research or estimates for price comparisons….wasn’t necessary, this was the guy. I requested early January thinking I could tough it out, however it just got too uncomfortable in the house. I reached out to Oleg who by the way was quite busy and he moved some stuff around and did the entire install the next day. My home is now warm and comfortable. Oleg was a pleasure to deal with. This guy is an Einstein when it comes to HVAC and I will not do business with anyone else from this point forward. Thanks Oleg, you and your staff are top notch. My HVAC system has never operated at this level before.
Nathalie M.
Dec 2025
Nathalie M.'s Google Review
We highly recommend Airflow Heating & Air for your heating or air conditioning needs. Oleg and his crew installed 2 independent systems in our 2-story home built in the early 1900s. Both the Daikin mini-split and the Goodman heat pump system work to perfection, keeping our house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. What we appreciated most, along with professionalism and a clean job site, was Oleg’s genuine interest in ensuring that we were completely satisfied with the installations.
Ben A.
Dec 2025
Ben A.'s Google Review
I’ve used Airflow Heating and Air for years for both my personal home and multiple rental properties. These guys are truly top-notch. What sets Airflow apart is their honesty and thoroughness. Instead of immediately pushing a full system replacement like many HVAC companies do, AirFlow takes the time to properly diagnose the issue and recommend repairs whenever possible, always keeping my budget in mind. They clearly explain the options so you can make an informed decision without pressure. When a full replacement is necessary, they’re just as impressive. I’ve trusted Airflow with two complete system replacements, and both were smooth, professional, and fairly priced. They handled the entire process including permits and inspections which made everything incredibly easy for me and my tenants. Overall, Airflow Heating and Air has been reliable, professional, and easy to work with every step of the way. Their communication is excellent, their work is high quality, and they truly stand behind what they do. I trust them completely and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing HVAC service! 10/10
Eduard R.
Dec 2025
Eduard R.'s Google Review
Amazing work from Oleg and the team of trained professionals and staff Really appreciate the swift response and replacement of my condenser To keep my unit back up and running
Dawn S.
Nov 2025
Dawn S.'s Google Review
Oleg was referred to me by my neighbor. My neighbor said he will never go with anyone else for his HVAC needs - and I now I understand why! Both times I reached out, he responded to me within minutes, and came out to my house the very next day. He's honest, reliable, reasonably priced, and just an all around cool dude. Thanks, Oleg!
Karen P.
Nov 2025
Karen P.'s Google Review
This company is too notch! Highly recommend, great response time, extremely honest and fair. I use them for business and personal and they have always fixed any issue big or small in a timely manner at great prices. The owner is fantastic as are his employees.
John K.
Oct 2025
John K.'s Google Review
Such a wonderful experience. I definitely recommend them!
Margaret B.
Oct 2025
Margaret B.'s Google Review
We have worked with Airflow Heating & Air for over 15 years and highly recommend Oleg and his team! His team always shows up as scheduled and provides great service. Oleg always keeps up to date with State and County rules and regulations related to the installation and maintenance of AC and Heating units. We rely on his expertise and trust all the work this company has done for us. We highly recommend Airflow Heating and Air and everyone on Oleg’s team!!
Tony G.
Oct 2025
Tony G.'s Google Review
Awesome guys—came on time, worked quick, and didn’t overcharge. Really happy with the job.
Rated 5.0/5 from 210+ reviews·CSLB #956515
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