Why you shouldn't use duck/duct tape on your heating ducts:

[sl8]

https://www.wsmv.com/2023/06/09/shoddy-repair-work-causes-nashville-mans-gas-bill-triple/

Shoddy repair work causes Nashville man’s gas bill to triple

Technician found duct work in attic had separated causing furnace to work harder to heat house.

WSMV4 Investigates' Stacey Cameron reports.
By Stacey Cameron
Published: Jun. 9, 2023 at 7:53 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A warning for people choosing to dispute their soaring gas bills as one East Nashville man recently learned why your high bills doesn’t always result in a lower bill.

In April, WSMV4 Investigates reported how Andy Jones had been going back and forth with Piedmont Natural Gas since January over his bill.

For four months, Jones’ gas bill nearly tripled his gas charges from last winter, with some bills topping $500.

[...]

“When the HVAC guy got up in the attic, he found a gap in our ductwork,” Jones said. “And apparently it was damaged, and instead of repairing it with metal and screws, they used duct tape. Over time, the tape melted, creating the gap.”

[...]

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. I wonder if they mean 'metal' ductwork.

As I don't see this being an issue with the flexible kind. I do miss living in East though.

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

2. Check your ducts...

Use Gorilla duct tape, or a similar product, harder to work with, but very strong. Better still, use a color other than grey, we used white, so it's easily visable.

[70sEraVet]

3. Electric mini splits are the way to go. No energy loss from ductwork.

I converted our old Victorian home to mini splits, and they are very efficient. I still have gas for our stove, and i have a couple of nice looking gas heaters that i use from time to time in the cold months.

[doc03]

4. I read one time that duct tape is good for almost everything but not

on ducts. The adhesive fails over time and the tape itself deteriorates. My house was built in 1943 so
I had to replace or cover the asbestos joints. It cost a lot more and is more work but I used aluminum tape.

[NBachers]

5. The silver foil tape is the stuff to use. That's the real, appropriate duct tape.

[Kaleva]

6. I use mastic

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Devil-0841DX-Reinforced-Sealant/dp/B01I7JVUO0/ref=pd_aw_fbt_vft_none_img_sccl_1/138-7490600-0697863?pd_rd_w=J7U0C&content-id=amzn1.sym.1383228f-ab5d-4064-97d6-80297ffcccd8&pf_rd_p=1383228f-ab5d-4064-97d6-80297ffcccd8&pf_rd_r=PQWNB03XZ3K73VRF71V4&pd_rd_wg=Quk2a&pd_rd_r=82ccfe83-b6f6-441a-a77e-bac5b6b5d326&pd_rd_i=B01I7JVUO0&psc=1