Duct Leakage Test in Coopersburg, PA

Ensure proper HVAC performance and code compliance by scheduling professional duct leakage test in Coopersburg, PA. Our certified technicians measure and identify ductwork air leaks, assisting homeowners and builders in boosting comfort, limiting energy waste, and maintaining state compliance.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Coopersburg, PA

States and municipalities have adopted the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family buildings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family buildings. The change will result in several substantial implications for home builders and HVAC contractors engaged in work across the state. A Duct Leakage Test and a Blower Door Test are now mandatory for newly built or renovated homes under the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are one of the primary sources of air leakage in homes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can elevate your energy bills, make your HVAC system work harder, and distribute insulation fibers and dust through your home. This makes duct leakage test an essential part of maintaining both new and older homes. Keep reading to discover why duct leakage test is important and how it can support your home.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To kick off a duct leakage test in Coopersburg, PA, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. A calibrated duct blaster is then secured to the opening. Its function is to depressurize the duct system, creating conditions that highlight any escaping air.

The duct blaster works in sync with a precision pressure sensor to assess airflow and find duct leaks without disturbing your living space. A duct leakage test — sometimes called a duct blaster test — reveals where your ducts are losing air so you can determine the most effective sealing solutions.

duct leakage test is fast, tidy, and causes no disruption for residents. Most tests in Coopersburg, PA are done in about 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting enhancements can support your home’s comfort and efficiency for many years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect minimal pressure variations, revealing the amount of air leakage occurring in the duct system. Understanding this number helps you recognize where issues exist, plan meaningful improvements, and check your home against local energy code requirements in Coopersburg, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If elevated utility bills, shifting temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues occur in your home, duct leakage may be the factor behind them. According to ENERGY STAR, leaking ducts cause the average home to lose 20%–30% of conditioned air. Hot or cold outside air creeping into your system forces the HVAC to work inefficiently, increasing energy spending and reducing comfort.

Overworked equipment also puts extra stress on the system, resulting in breakdowns and increased repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps ensure the long-term stability of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and reducing future maintenance work.

Duct leaks can also create openings for dust, mold spores, moisture, and various contaminants to enter the duct system. 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 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 you’re dealing with are deep inside the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To execute this method, all vents are sealed shut except a single access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is attached to the duct network. It pressurizes the ducts and applies a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny openings where standard sealing cannot reach.

This method handles small to medium leaks very effectively. However, large openings may still require traditional mastic and tape sealing. Technicians administer a duct leakage test prior to and following aerosol sealing to measure leakage changes and ensure the method was successful.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most usual area for air leakage in ducts is at the joints. Ductwork includes various metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are hardly ever airtight.

As your HVAC system heats and cools throughout the year, the ducts expand and contract. Over time, this movement allows the joints to loosen, producing gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is suggested for homes of all ages in Coopersburg, PA.

Many energy auditors look for leaks by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to evaluate how wide the gaps at the joints are. 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 should fall under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is absent. For new construction, the duct leakage test must be passed prior to the home being approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Coopersburg, PA fails a duct leakage test, you are probably spending more than you should on heating and cooling — while also putting long-term stress on your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is important not only for the inspector, but also for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Your technician will also provide skilled recommendations to resolve leakage problems so you can reach a passing score, decrease energy costs, and improve home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits is proud to serve families and builders across Coopersburg, PA and the surrounding local areas. We specialize in finding duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new home or upgrading an older one, we’re ready 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 the technician sealing all ducts and registers using duct mask tape across the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we attach the duct tester directly to the unit or to one primary return.

The ducts are then set to a depressurized pressure of 25 Pascals. Once there, we use the nanometer to capture the leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Coopersburg, PA

Ensure your HVAC system remains efficient, code-compliant, and functioning optimally with skilled duct leakage test in Coopersburg, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking better comfort or a contractor wrapping up a final inspection, our certified team delivers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and offer on-site expertise to help you pass your test, reduce unnecessary energy loss, and protect your HVAC system over the long term.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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