Duct Leakage Test in Creamery, PA

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate testing, your technician will seal all supply and return registers except for the main return or air handler during a duct leakage test in Creamery, PA. A duct blaster fan, carefully calibrated for accuracy, is then attached to the duct opening. It depressurizes the ductwork, allowing leaks to become more noticeable.

The duct blaster, working hand in hand with a precision pressure sensor, measures airflow and identifies leaks in the ductwork without impacting your home. A duct leakage test — sometimes identified as a duct blaster test — shows where your ducts lose air, helping you plan the right sealing approach.

duct leakage test is fast, debris-free, and completely resident-friendly. Most tests in Creamery, PA are performed within 30 to 60 minutes, and the positive impact on comfort and efficiency can remain for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is tracked in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned living area. Your technician uses a nanometer to capture subtle pressure changes, allowing accurate measurement of duct air leakage. Understanding this number helps you locate trouble spots, review possible upgrades, and see if your home complies with local energy code requirements in Creamery, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re encountering increased energy bills, temperature inconsistencies, or constant HVAC repairs, duct leakage could be the source. According to ENERGY STAR, the majority of homes lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. When outdoor temperatures enter your system, the HVAC must work harder to compensate, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced comfort.

Overworked equipment also heightens the chance of system failures and expensive repairs. Proper duct sealing helps improve the long-term health of your HVAC system, boosting longevity and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also draw in dust, mold spores, unwanted moisture, and other harmful contaminants. This can escalate allergies, lower the overall air quality indoors, and lead to costly damage behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC enforces that new homes incorporate fully sealed ducts made with modern, energy-efficient materials including mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if the leaks are buried far inside your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To conduct this method, all vents are blocked except for one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and emits a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny gaps and holes that standard sealing methods can’t access.

This method seals small to medium leaks effectively. However, large gaps may still call for manual sealing using mastic and tape. Technicians carry out a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to assess how much leakage has improved and ensure the treatment was effective.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most frequent source of duct air leakage is the joints. Ductwork uses many metal pieces pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these joining points are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system cycles through heating and cooling each year, the ducts naturally expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes joints to lose their seal, creating gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test valuable for any home in Creamery, PA, whether new or old.

Many energy auditors check for leaks by feeling along the ductwork and using a small tool to gauge the size of gaps between joints. If your duct system has not received sealing with mastic and approved tape, leakage is very probable.

What Is an Acceptable Amount of Duct Leakage per Energy Code?

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system needs to be under 4 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it isn’t. For new construction, obtaining an occupancy certificate requires passing a duct leakage test first.

If your home in Creamery, PA does not pass a duct leakage test, you are likely paying more than necessary for heating and cooling — and placing long-term strain on your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is required not only for code approval but for keeping your home efficient and comfortable.

Your technician will also recommend effective ways to fix leakage issues so you can earn a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Creamery, PA

Local Energy Audits proudly provides service to homeowners and builders throughout Creamery, PA and the surrounding region. We specialize in identifying and addressing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new home or optimizing an existing one, we’re here to help.
If you’d like to book a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.