Field Test of Advanced Duct-Sealing Technologies within the Weatherization Assistance Program (November 2001, 124 p.)
A field test of an aerosol-spray duct-sealing technology and a conventional, best-practice approach
was performed in 80 homes to determine the efficacy and programmatic needs of the duct-sealing
technologies as applied in the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program. The
field test was performed in five states: Iowa, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The study found that, compared with the best-practice approach, the aerosol-spray technology is 50%
more effective at sealing duct leaks and can potentially reduce labor time and costs for duct sealing
by 70%, or almost 4 crew-hours. Further study to encourage and promote use of the aerosol-spray
technology within the Weatherization Assistance Program is recommended. A pilot test of fullproduction
weatherization programs using the aerosol-spray technology is recommended to develop
approaches for integrating this technology with other energy conservation measures and minimizing
impacts on weatherization agency logistics. In order to allow or improve adoption of the aerosolspray
technology within the Weatherization Assistance Program, issues must be addressed
concerning equipment costs, use of the technology under franchise arrangements with Aeroseal, Inc.
(the holders of an exclusive license to use this technology), software used to control the equipment,
safety, and training. Application testing of the aerosol-spray technology in mobile homes is also
recommended.
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