Duct Leakage Test in Wyoming, DE

Protect system efficiency and meet local building codes by choosing certified duct leakage test in Wyoming, DE. Our certified technicians inspect and measure air leakage in ductwork, enabling homeowners and builders to boost comfort, prevent energy waste, and adhere to state guidelines.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Wyoming, 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 carry significant implications for home builders and HVAC contractors serving communities in the state. A Duct Leakage Test along with a Blower Door Test is now required for any newly constructed or remodeled home as outlined in the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ductwork is a major cause of air leakage in homes across 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 important for all types of homes, whether new or old. Continue reading to learn why duct leakage test is essential and how you can benefit.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin a duct leakage test in Wyoming, DE, your technician will seal off all supply and return registers except for the main return or the air handler. A duct blaster — a specially calibrated fan — is then connected to the opening. It depressurizes the duct system to expose areas where air is leaking.

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 — also called a duct blaster test — locates the points where duct air escapes, helping you implement the right sealing solution.

duct leakage test is quick, clean, and non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Wyoming, DE take between 30 and 60 minutes, and the improvements they deliver can elevate comfort and efficiency for years ahead.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is monitored in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the conditioned sections of the home. Your technician uses a nanometer to register small pressure differences, which help calculate how much air is leaking from the ducts. Understanding this number allows you to identify concerns, evaluate upgrade opportunities, and determine whether your home fulfills local energy code requirements in Wyoming, 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. 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 causes additional breakdowns and increases repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps uphold the long-term performance of your HVAC system, stretching its lifespan and decreasing routine maintenance demands.

Duct leaks can also draw in dust, mold spores, unwanted moisture, and other harmful contaminants. This can worsen allergies, reduce indoor air quality, and even cause expensive structural damage 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 if leaks are concealed deep inside the structure of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps target hard-to-reach openings deep within ducts. To use this method, technicians seal all vents except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is hooked up 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 is ideal for small to medium leaks. However, any large openings will still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians conduct duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to see how much the leakage dropped and ensure the treatment worked properly.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most frequent point of air leakage in ductwork is the joints. Multiple metal parts are pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, although these junctions are seldom airtight.

As your HVAC system regulates temperatures through the seasons, the ducts expand when heated and contract when cooled. Over time, this movement loosens the joints, causing gaps and leaks — which is why both new and older homes in Wyoming, DE should consider a duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors inspect duct leakage by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to determine how wide the gaps are between joints. If your duct system hasn’t been finished with mastic and approved tape, leaks are highly likely.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must show under 4 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if it is not. For new construction, homes are required to pass a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate can be issued.

If your home in Wyoming, DE falls short in a duct leakage test, you are probably paying extra for heating and cooling — and placing lasting pressure on 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 Wyoming, DE

Local Energy Audits is proud to serve customers across Wyoming, DE and the nearby communities. We specialize in uncovering duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using both blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re starting a new build or improving a current home, we’re here to assist.
If you’d like to book 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 by securing duct mask tape over every duct and register on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we link the duct tester to the unit or to one main return.

The ducts are then reduced to a depressurized state of 25 Pascals. With them depressurized, the nanometer gives us the duct leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Wyoming, DE

Ensure your HVAC system is operating efficiently, compliant with code, and performing optimally with high-quality duct leakage test in Wyoming, DE. 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 offer direct on-site guidance to help you pass your test, lower energy waste, and protect your HVAC system’s long-term health.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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