Duct Leakage Test in Edgemoor, DE

Make sure your HVAC system performs at its best and satisfies local energy standards with certified duct leakage test in Edgemoor, DE. Our certified technicians pinpoint and measure ductwork air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost comfort, cut energy waste, and meet state compliance standards.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Edgemoor, DE

States and municipalities have standardized around the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family builds and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family builds. The change will lead to several key implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working across the state. A Duct Leakage Test and the mandated Blower Door Test apply to all new or renovated homes under the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are responsible for a large share of air leakage issues in homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can drive up your utility costs, tax your HVAC equipment, and circulate insulation debris and dust throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test indispensable no matter the age of your home. Continue reading to understand why duct leakage test is important and the benefits it provides.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To get started with a duct leakage test in Edgemoor, DE, the technician will block every supply and return register except the main return or air handler. 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, combined with a precision pressure sensor, measures airflow and detects leaks in the duct system without causing any disturbance in your home. A duct leakage test — commonly called a duct blaster test — detects areas where your ducts lose air, helping you select the most efficient sealing solutions.

duct leakage test is fast, tidy, and causes no disruption for residents. Most tests in Edgemoor, DE are completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and the improvements can benefit your home’s comfort and efficiency 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 read small pressure variations, helping determine the volume of air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number enables you to recognize problem areas, consider efficiency improvements, and verify that your home meets local energy code requirements in Edgemoor, DE.

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, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. Hot or cold outdoor air infiltrating your system makes your HVAC system work overtime, which boosts energy costs and reduces comfort.

Overworked equipment also accelerates wear and tear, resulting in more breakdowns and costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps preserve the long-term efficiency of your HVAC system, boosting its lifespan and cutting down on regular maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also bring dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other impurities into the duct system. This can trigger more severe allergies, diminish indoor air quality, and create expensive structural problems behind walls or ceilings over time.

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 are hidden far behind walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is an effective solution for reaching hidden ductwork leaks. 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 releases a fine sealant mist that finds and fills small holes that traditional sealing methods cannot access.

This method works very well for small to medium leaks. However, larger openings may still need to be sealed manually with mastic and tape. Technicians test the ducts for leakage before and after aerosol sealing to determine the reduction level and verify success.

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 operates in varying temperatures across the year, the ducts undergo expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement leads to joint loosening, generating gaps and leaks — a clear reason duct leakage test is recommended for new and older homes in Edgemoor, DE.

Many energy auditors detect leaks by checking the duct surfaces by hand and using a small tool to measure joint gap width. If your duct system was not sealed with mastic and approved tape, there’s a high likelihood that air is leaking.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler in place, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is not installed. For new construction, an occupancy certificate cannot be issued unless the home passes a duct leakage test.

If your home in Edgemoor, DE doesn’t pass a duct leakage test, chances are you’re paying more for heating and cooling — and adding long-term stress to your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is essential not only for code compliance but also for protecting your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

Your technician will also give professional advice on resolving leakage issues to help you achieve a passing score, cut down utility bills, and boost your home’s performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Edgemoor, DE

Local Energy Audits is proud to work with customers in Edgemoor, DE and all nearby areas. We specialize in detecting duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door and duct leakage test. Whether you’re building new or enhancing your current home, we’re here to support you.
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 connect the duct tester either to the HVAC unit itself or a central return.

The ducts are then brought down to 25 Pascals of pressure. With the ducts depressurized, the nanometer can be used to read the leakage level.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Edgemoor, DE

Ensure your HVAC system maintains strong efficiency, meets code requirements, and performs reliably with trusted duct leakage test in Edgemoor, DE. Whether you’re a homeowner optimizing comfort or a contractor completing mandatory inspections, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and offer on-site guidance to help you pass your test, improve energy efficiency, and safeguard your HVAC system’s long-term health.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

Serving homeowners, builders, and contractors across Edgemoor, DE with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.