California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE)

Thermal distribution systems represent the most promising opportunities for cost-effective energy savings in residential new construction. This paper describes the results of an unusual but on-going collaboration between the building industry, the environmental community, the research community, and the regulators to develop cost-effective, implementable procedures for improved heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) duct system design, fabrication, and installation.

The procedures were developed and their incremental costs and benefits were estimated. There are immediate heating and cooling energy savings of 12% or more obtainable from duct sealing alone at an incremental cost of approximately $250 per home. This incremental cost can decrease to zero with experience and competition.