Quick fact: In the Mojave Desert, 25 – 40 % of the cool air your AC produces can vanish into the attic before it ever reaches a vent. That’s like running your unit for four hours and only feeling three. Mohave Electric Cooperative’s SmartHub app may show the spike, but it can’t stop the leak—only you can.
Why Duct Leaks Happen in Mohave County
- 90 °F attic temps melt cheap foil tape and crack mastic.
- Rodents & birds claw flex-duct for nesting material.
- DIY renovations tug or crimp hidden duct runs.
The result? Longer run-times, hot/cold rooms, and dust or insulation fibers circulating indoors.
6 Signs Your Home Is “Cooling the Attic”
- Uneven rooms: one bedroom a sauna, the next an icebox.
- High summer bills: MEC kWh usage up 15 %+ year-over-year.
- Visible gaps: torn tape or hanging boots around registers.
- Dust streaks: gray rings on ceiling vents (air pulling from attic).
- Musty smell: fiberglass odor when the AC kicks on.
DIY Leak-Detection Checklist (30 min)
- Run the AC fan, then climb into the attic with a flashlight.
- Feel for cool air blasts at each flex-duct seam.
- Look for soffit registers whistling or pulling dust.
- Review your latest MEC bill: cooling kWh up 15 %+ year-over-year? Leaks may be the culprit.
Safety note: Wear an N95 and stay on the joists—one mis-step is a fast path to your drywall ceiling.
Pro Fixes That Permanently Stop the Bleed
- Mastic + Mesh: brush-on sealant rated for 180 °F attics.
- Hard-Pipe Upgrades: replace crushed flex with rigid metal.
- Aeroseal: computer-controlled glue mist coats leaks from the inside.
Horizon Air techs pressure-test before & after, proving the CFM loss we stopped.
Cost vs. Payback With Mohave Electric Cooperative Rates
| Home size | Typical seal cost* | Annual savings (MEC)** | ROI window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 600 sq ft | $625 | $150 | ≈ 4 yrs |
| 2 200 sq ft | $780 | $205 | ≈ 3.5 yrs |
| 3 000 sq ft | $960 | $320 | < 3 yrs |
*Includes blower-door test + mastic seal.
**Based on 2025 Mohave Electric Cooperative Tier-3 summer kWh rates.
Case Study – Golden Shores Fix Saves a Small Fortune
Last July the Johnson family’s 2-ton heat-pump ran non-stop yet the house never dipped below 80 °F. A blower-door test showed 352 CFM of duct leakage—equal to a 6×6-inch hole. After a three-hour mastic job their MEC SmartHub graph dropped 24 kWh per day. That’s $590 / yr back in their pocket and one happy compressor.
Ready to Seal, Save, & Chill?
- Free pressure test with any repair quote.
- Same-day service across Fort Mohave, Bullhead, Golden Shores, Golden Valley & Mohave Valley.
- 10-year workmanship warranty—no leaks, no excuses.
Have a neighbor who’s always hot-and-cold? Share this guide and help them stop cooling the attic!
