Why This Matters in Georgetown TX
Georgetown's construction includes significant numbers of two-story homes, slab-on-grade houses with attic ductwork, and older properties with original duct systems from the 1990s. All three categories have distinct distribution challenges. Two-story homes have heat stratification (second floors run hotter), slab homes have duct leakage into unconditioned attic space, and older ducts develop tears and disconnections. Georgetown's extreme summer temperatures amplify these distribution problems — a room with 15% of its design airflow feels 10–15°F hotter than the thermostat reading.
Common Causes & What They Cost
Our Georgetown technicians diagnose these issues daily. Here's what we find most often.
Ductwork leaking conditioned air into unconditioned attic space is the most common cause of hot rooms. Georgetown attics hit 150°F+ in summer — conditioned air leaked into that space is completely lost. Industry average: 30% of conditioned air is lost to leakage in homes with original ductwork.
$300–$800 for duct sealing; $1,200–$3,500 for full duct replacementRooms far from the air handler or at the end of long duct runs receive less airflow due to static pressure drop. Common in Georgetown's larger homes with 2,000–4,000 sq ft floor plans.
$200–$600 for damper adjustment and duct modificationsHeat rises — second floors in Georgetown homes regularly run 8–12°F hotter than first floors. The thermostat (usually on the first floor) is satisfied while upstairs rooms bake. Zoning systems address this directly.
$1,500–$3,500 for zone control system installationRooms with supply registers but no return air path create positive pressure that blocks further airflow. Adding door undercuts or transfer grilles is often a simple fix.
$150–$400Original ductwork designed for a 1990s home may be undersized for a modern high-efficiency system's airflow requirements. This creates excessive static pressure and uneven distribution.
$800–$2,500 for duct upsizingHow We Diagnose It
We measure temperatures in every room and compare to setpoint. This creates a distribution map showing which rooms are underserved.
We use an airflow hood to measure actual CFM at each supply register vs. design specification. This identifies which rooms are getting adequate airflow and which aren't.
We pressurize the duct system to measure total leakage. This is the most accurate way to identify whether duct leakage is the root cause.
Based on findings, we provide a written estimate covering duct sealing, damper adjustment, return air modifications, or zone system installation — in order of cost-effectiveness.