Duct Leakage Testing

Ducts are one of the last places homeowners think to check when making their homes more energy-efficient. That’s because you can’t see your ducts, and even if you could, it’s not something most homeowners know how to fix.
A duct leakage test will examine your ducts for any holes or cracks. Although it’s normal for ducts to have some leakage, a duct test will be able to tell you exactly how much air your ducts are leaking and if it’s something you need to improve upon. A duct test will also tell you where your leaks are located, giving your technician the information they need to make expert recommendations about how you can seal them and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

What is a duct test?

● Measure the air leakage of your ducts
● Find where you are leaking air
● See energy efficiencies throughout your home
● Help block contaminants from circulating
● High tech equipment is used to test your ducts

Why do I need duct leakage testing?

Ducts are like the lungs of your home. They breathe fresh and conditioned air throughout your home, keeping out allergens and other contaminants, and making sure your living space is well ventilated. But it’s very common for ducts to leak, which makes ventilating and conditioning your home much more difficult, and it drastically increases your home’s energy consumption.
Your HVAC system makes up an average of 40% of your home’s energy consumption, so tackling your ducts is a critical part of making your home compliant. Leaks can also be dangerous to those who suffer from respiratory issues because of the outside contaminants that accumulate in your system, spreading unconditioned air throughout your home. Leaks can even lead to property damage by letting in excess moisture, affecting areas in and around your home.
Aside from higher energy bills, you won’t be able to see the signs of duct leakage. This is why duct leakage testing is so important. It shows you what you can’t see with the naked eye, using state-of-the-art duct leakage testing with the use of calibrated fans and pressure sensors.

Ducts are one of the last places homeowners think to check when making their homes more energy-efficient. That’s because you can’t see your ducts, and even if you could, it’s not something most homeowners know how to fix.
A duct leakage test will examine your ducts for any holes or cracks. Although it’s normal for ducts to have some leakage, a duct test will be able to tell you exactly how much air your ducts are leaking and if it’s something you need to improve upon. A duct test will also tell you where your leaks are located, giving your technician the information they need to make expert recommendations about how you can seal them and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

How is a duct test conducted?

Duct leakage testing is a quick and efficient way to find holes, leaks, and cracks in your system. It doesn’t take long, usually taking somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size and complexity of your ducts. So, there’s no need to worry about disrupting your daily routines or being put out of your home.
To begin, your technician will seal off all your ducts except for your central vent. Then, a specially calibrated fan is installed to draw air out of your ducts. This is used in conjunction with a pressure sensor, measuring the exact volume of air being pulled through the leaks in your system.
By sealing your ducts, your technician can isolate where your leaks are located and give you expert advice on how you can go about sealing them as efficiently and affordable as possible. It’s that simple. Local Energy Audits takes the guesswork out of compliance by giving you the numbers you need to know, and we are certified to give you a seal of approval if you pass.

How to pass a duct leakage test

Your duct test should produce 4 CFM per 100 square feet with an air handler installed and 3CFM without an air handler installed to receive a passing score. If you don’t pass your duct leakage test, there are some things you can do to improve it.

Don’t use temporary fixes

Unless you want temporary results, you need to make sure your ducts are equipped for frequent usage and won’t lead to problems down the road.

Clean your ducts before sealing them

Your HVAC equipment isn’t meant to handle excess dust and debris, leading to the need for repairs in the future.

Use mastic over tape

This gives you more protection and longevity in the integrity of your ductwork. Tape alone will break down over time, leading to repeat leakages. Mastic in combination with tape is a permanent solution.

Update your duct system

Unless you want temporary results, you need to make sure your ducts are equipped for frequent usage and won’t lead to problems down the road.

If you don’t find leaks, seal your ducts anyways

All ducts can benefit from additional reinforcements to prevent air leakage. By sealing your ducts now, you will improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and avoid repairs in the future.