Duct Leakage Test in Pipersville, PA

Make sure your HVAC system performs at its best and satisfies local energy standards with certified duct leakage test in Pipersville, PA. Our certified technicians evaluate and measure air leaks in duct systems, helping homeowners and builders enhance comfort, decrease energy loss, and comply with state rules.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Pipersville, PA

Various states and municipalities have adopted the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family houses, along with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family units. The change will result in significant implications for home builders and HVAC contractors doing business in the state. A Duct Leakage Test and a mandatory Blower Door Test are now required for all new construction or remodeled homes under the 2015 regulatory standards. Did you know that duct leakage is one of the top reasons for air loss in homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can escalate your energy costs, force your HVAC system to work harder, and move insulation and dust throughout your house. This makes duct leakage test an important requirement for homes regardless of age. Keep reading to understand why duct leakage test is necessary and how it can help you.

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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 Pipersville, PA. A specially calibrated fan, known as a duct blaster, is then attached to the opening. The purpose of this fan is to depressurize the duct system, creating the ideal conditions to identify where air is escaping.

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 known as a duct blaster test — shows exactly where your ducts are leaking air so you can apply the right sealing fixes.

duct leakage test is fast, clean, and comfortable for residents throughout the process. Most tests in Pipersville, PA are completed in just 30 to 60 minutes, while the benefits to comfort and efficiency can last long-term.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the home’s conditioned area. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect pressure variations, helping quantify the amount of duct leakage. Understanding this number allows you to highlight problem zones, explore improvement possibilities, and confirm compliance with local energy code requirements in Pipersville, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you observe rising utility costs, temperature swings in different rooms, or regular HVAC breakdowns, duct leakage may be involved. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. When your system pulls in hot or cold outdoor air, the HVAC unit has to work harder, driving up energy usage and reducing comfort indoors.

Overworked equipment also brings more system failures and higher repair expenses. Proper duct sealing helps strengthen the long-term function of your HVAC system, improving its lifespan and reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

Duct leaks can also draw in dust, mold spores, unwanted moisture, and other harmful contaminants. This can aggravate allergies, lower indoor air quality, and eventually lead to costly structural damage hidden behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC ensures that new homes are built with duct systems sealed entirely using efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what about leaks that lie far within enclosed wall or ceiling spaces?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To implement this method, every vent is covered except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and injects a fine aerosolized sealant that targets small holes and gaps unreachable by traditional sealing methods.

This method provides strong results for small and medium leaks. However, significant openings may still require mastic and tape by hand. Technicians perform pre- and post-aerosol sealing duct leakage tests to measure the improvement and confirm treatment effectiveness.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common area where ducts leak air is around the joints. Ductwork uses several metal parts pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, though these points are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system delivers heat and cooling across different seasons, the ducts constantly expand and contract. Over time, this movement loosens the joints, causing gaps and leaks — which is why both new and older homes in Pipersville, PA should consider a duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors assess duct leakage by touching the ductwork and using a small tool to check the width of gaps where joints connect. If your duct system has not been sealed with mastic and approved tape, there is a high chance that leakage is occurring.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must read under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, a passing duct leakage test is mandatory before a home can be granted an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Pipersville, 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 key not only for staying code-compliant but for maintaining energy efficiency and consistent comfort in your home.

Your technician will also share expert solutions for tackling leakage problems so you can pass the test, cut down utility expenses, and improve overall comfort and efficiency.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Pipersville, PA and neighboring areas. We specialize in revealing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door and duct leakage test. Whether your project is new or existing, we’re here to assist.
If you’d like to schedule a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.

The Duct Leakage Test Steps Explained

A duct leakage test begins with all the ducts and registers sealed tightly using duct mask tape on both sides—supply and return.

After the registers are sealed, we set up the duct tester by attaching it to the unit or a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. At that point, the nanometer allows us to get an accurate duct leakage measurement.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Pipersville, PA

Ensure your HVAC system maintains strong efficiency, meets code requirements, and performs reliably with trusted duct leakage test in Pipersville, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner increasing comfort or a contractor completing a necessary inspection, our certified team offers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and provide on-site guidance to help you pass your test, cut energy waste, and safeguard the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

Serving homeowners, builders, and contractors across Pipersville, PA with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.