Duct Leakage Test in Ambler, PA

Ensure your HVAC system is sealed, efficient, and fully compliant with local regulations through duct leakage test in Ambler, PA. Our certified technicians analyze and measure duct leaks to assist homeowners and builders in improving comfort, reducing energy waste, and fulfilling state requirements.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Ambler, 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 impose meaningful implications on home builders and HVAC contractors working regionally within 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 duct systems can be major sources of air leakage in homes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can boost your energy bills, overload your HVAC system, and send dust and insulation particles throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test highly important for homes of any age. Read on to learn why duct leakage test matters and the benefits you can gain.

888 213-3975

What Our Clients Say

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To commence a duct leakage test in Ambler, PA, your technician will seal every supply and return register except the primary return or air handler. A calibrated duct blaster fan is then mounted to the opening. This fan creates negative pressure inside the ducts, making air leakage locations easier to find.

The duct blaster system, along with a precision pressure sensor, measures airflow and highlights leaks in the ductwork without inconveniencing you at home. A duct leakage test — frequently called a duct blaster test — reveals air escape points in your ducts, guiding you toward the best sealing options.

duct leakage test is efficient, mess-free, and completely non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Ambler, PA 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 measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect small pressure differences, which indicate how much air is leaking through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you pinpoint leakage points, think through potential improvements, and verify your home’s adherence to local energy code requirements in Ambler, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your home suffers from costly utility bills, uneven comfort levels, or persistent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be contributing. According to ENERGY STAR, the average duct system loses between 20% and 30% of its conditioned air due to leaks. Air entering from outside—whether warm or cold—makes your HVAC operate harder, causing energy costs to climb and comfort to decrease.

Overworked equipment also makes breakdowns more common and repairs more expensive. 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 let dust, mold spores, moisture, and other pollutants enter the duct system. This can negatively influence allergies, weaken indoor air quality, and lead to expensive long-term damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC mandates fully sealed duct systems in new homes, made from energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and proper insulation. But what if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is one way to reach hidden openings inside ductwork. 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 sends a fine aerosol sealant through the system, closing small gaps that normal sealing approaches can’t reach.

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 perform pre- and post-aerosol sealing duct leakage tests to measure the improvement and confirm treatment effectiveness.

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 both heating and cooling modes year-round, the ducts continuously expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes the joints to loosen, opening gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test beneficial for both new and older homes in Ambler, PA.

Many energy auditors look for duct leakage by running their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to measure the width of gaps at the joints. 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 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, a passing duct leakage test is essential before the home can qualify for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Ambler, PA 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 vital not only for satisfying code rules but also for preserving your home’s comfort and energy performance.

Your technician will also provide expert strategies to address leakage concerns, helping you achieve a passing score, bring down utility bills, and boost home efficiency.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Ambler, PA and nearby locations. We specialize in measuring duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using advanced blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building new or improving old, we’re here to help.
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 by taping off all ducts and registers with duct mask tape on 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 depressurized to exactly 25 Pascals. Once this is achieved, the nanometer is used to read the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Ambler, PA

Ensure your HVAC system is efficient, compliant, and performing at its best with professional duct leakage test in Ambler, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner improving home comfort or a contractor finishing required inspections, our certified team delivers 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 Ambler, PA with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.