The Best Ways to Tape an Aluminum Furnace

Aluminum Furnace

• An aluminum furnace is one with rigid aluminum ducts, rather than flexible ductwork that may or may not be metallic. The aluminum type of rigid heating system ductwork, which may be rectangular or round, does not corrode and is low-maintenance. After sealing the seams, you can further reduce energy usage by insulating ducts in unheated areas.

Aluminum Tape

• One of the best ways to tape an aluminum furnace is by using aluminum duct sealing tape. This tape is specially designed for furnaces and can withstand continuous heat without drying out. It is pressure-sensitive with an adhesive on one side and aluminum foil on the other. The aluminum foil helps to prevent hot air from escaping. As you wrap the tape around the seal, push it into the seam to make the seal airtight.

Homemade Sealer

• If you are on a tight budget and want to tape the seams and insulate the rigid pipes at the same time, you can do so inexpensively. Wrap the seam with glass fiber batting, recommends Union Gas Company. Wrap string around the batting to hold it in place. Cover the batting with plastic, taping the pieces together as you wrap it around the duct.

Duct Tape

• You can use the old standby, duct tape, if you cannot afford either of the above two methods. Duct tape is cheap to buy and it does seal the seams. However, the adhesive that manufacturers use on duct tape does not hold up to heated surfaces for extended periods. Hot air dries the adhesive, so check it once a month to see if it needs replacing.