Weatherization Test Drives Spray Sealant New aerosol spray
technology can allow weatherization crews to seal even tiny duct
leaks in places that are difficult to reach using conventional
methods. Until recently, duct-sealing methods have not gotten
enough attention from building scientists. Aerosol spray sealant
offers a relatively new way to seal ducts—one that is becoming
commercialized in some parts of the United States (see “Aerosol
Spray Technology”).One advantage of this technology is that it
reduces diagnostic and repair times, because the location of
small leaks does not need to be visually identified, and wall,
ceiling, and floor cavities do not need to be opened to gain
access to the leaks. Aerosol spray can seal small or unreachable
leaks that cannot be sealed in other ways. Oak Ridge National
Laboratory conducted a field test during the winter of 1999–2000
to determine the efficacy of advanced duct-sealing technology in
housing weatherized by DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program
(WAP).We had th