Duct Leakage Test in Birdsboro, PA

Confirm your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local inspection standards with professional duct leakage test in Birdsboro, PA. 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 Birdsboro, PA

States and municipalities commonly implement the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family dwellings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family residences. The change will bring forward important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working in 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 improperly sealed ducts account for a major portion of air leakage in homes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can increase your energy costs, overwork your HVAC system, and distribute insulation particles and dust around your home. This makes duct leakage test necessary for homes of any age. Keep reading to discover why duct leakage test is so important and the advantages it offers.

888 213-3975

What Our Clients Say

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin the process of a duct leakage test in Birdsboro, PA, your technician seals off all supply and return registers apart from the main return or air handler. 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 functions with a precision pressure sensor to analyze airflow and spot leaks in the duct system without affecting your home’s comfort. A duct leakage test — sometimes labeled as a duct blaster test — finds where your ducts are leaking air so you can decide on the best sealing strategy.

duct leakage test is fast, debris-free, and completely resident-friendly. Most tests in Birdsboro, PA take 30 to 60 minutes to complete, and the benefits to comfort and efficiency can endure for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is recorded in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the conditioned portion of the home. Your technician uses a nanometer to evaluate small pressure shifts that signal air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you spot leakage issues, evaluate corrective measures, and determine if your home is meeting local energy code requirements in Birdsboro, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re struggling with expensive utility bills, inconsistent indoor temperatures, or continual HVAC problems, duct leakage might be the culprit. According to ENERGY STAR, the average home loses 20% to 30% of conditioned air through leaky ducts. When outdoor temperatures enter your system, the HVAC must work harder to compensate, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced comfort.

Overworked equipment also triggers more mechanical failures and costly service calls. Proper duct sealing helps protect the long-term performance of your HVAC system, increasing its lifespan and lowering future maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also enable dust, mold spores, elevated moisture, and unwanted contaminants to infiltrate the duct system. This can increase allergy discomfort, degrade indoor air quality, and eventually cause expensive structural issues behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires new homes to use fully sealed duct systems crafted from up-to-date, efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what about leaks located deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is one way to reach hidden openings inside 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 sprays a fine mist of sealant that fills tiny leaks and holes beyond the reach of conventional sealing.

This method is effective at treating small to medium leaks. However, big openings may still need to be addressed with manual mastic-and-tape sealing. Technicians complete a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to track leakage reduction and confirm the treatment’s success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most likely place for ducts to leak air is through their joints. Ductwork involves multiple metal pieces pressed together with secure fittings and metal bands, yet these connections are rarely perfectly airtight.

As your HVAC system delivers heat and cooling across different seasons, the ducts constantly expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes the joints to loosen, creating gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is recommended for both new and older homes in Birdsboro, 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 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 should stay under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler attached, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without it. For new construction, a passing duct leakage test is mandatory before a home can be granted an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Birdsboro, PA 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 important not only for the inspector, but also for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Your technician will also give informed guidance on addressing leakage problems, enabling you to pass the test, reduce energy bills, and enhance your home’s performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Birdsboro, PA and nearby locations. 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 applying duct mask tape to seal every duct and register on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we connect the duct tester to the unit or to a main 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 Birdsboro, PA

Ensure your HVAC system remains energy-efficient, code-approved, and performing at its highest capacity with professional duct leakage test in Birdsboro, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting better comfort or a contractor reaching the final inspection stage, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and supply on-site guidance to help you pass your test, reduce energy loss, and maintain the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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