Duct Leakage Test in Bryn Athyn, PA

Verify your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local requirements with reliable duct leakage test in Bryn Athyn, 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 Bryn Athyn, PA

States and municipalities now follow the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family residences, as well as the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family structures. The change will create considerable implications for home builders and HVAC contractors carrying out projects 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 duct leakage is one of the most common issues affecting homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can cause higher energy expenses, burden your HVAC system, and push dust and insulation into different areas of your home. This makes duct leakage test valuable for new and existing homes alike. Read on to learn why duct leakage test is important and how it can help you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate testing, your technician will seal all supply and return registers except for the main return or air handler during a duct leakage test in Bryn Athyn, PA. A specially calibrated duct blaster fan is then secured to the opening. Its job is to depressurize the duct system, allowing air leaks to reveal themselves clearly.

The duct blaster pairs with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow and identify leak locations in the ducts without disrupting your home. A duct leakage test — also known as a duct blaster test — pinpoints where air is escaping from your ducts, helping you choose the best sealing methods.

duct leakage test is rapid, clean, and performed without inconvenience to residents. Most tests in Bryn Athyn, PA are done within 30 to 60 minutes, with improvements that strengthen comfort and efficiency for years to come.

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 measure tiny pressure changes, revealing how much air is escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you reveal problem areas, consider enhancement strategies, and validate that your home meets local energy code requirements in Bryn Athyn, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you are experiencing high utility bills, uneven temperatures, or frequent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be the cause. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. 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 accelerates wear and tear, resulting in more breakdowns and costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps improve the long-term health of your HVAC system, boosting longevity and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also pull dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and various contaminants into the duct system. This can make allergies more severe, reduce the quality of indoor air, and produce costly structural harm behind walls or ceilings as time progresses.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires all newly constructed homes to have fully sealed ductwork with modern, energy-saving materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what about leaks located deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) provides a way to seal concealed openings inside the duct system. To perform this method, all vents are sealed off except for 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 is extremely effective for sealing small to medium leaks. However, big gaps may still need manual sealing using mastic and tape. Technicians run leakage tests both before and after aerosol sealing to gauge how much air loss decreased and confirm proper results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical place for ducts to lose air is at the joints. Ductwork consists of different metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, yet these joints are not usually airtight.

As your HVAC system operates in both heating and cooling modes year-round, the ducts continuously expand and contract. Over time, this movement loosens the joints, causing gaps and leaks — which is why both new and older homes in Bryn Athyn, PA should consider a duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors assess duct leakage by touching the ductwork and using a small tool to check the width of gaps where joints connect. If your duct system hasn’t been sealed with mastic and approved tape, there is a strong likelihood that leakage is happening.

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, you must pass a duct leakage test before the home can be approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Bryn Athyn, PA doesn’t pass its duct leakage evaluation, you’re likely paying more for temperature control — and contributing to long-term HVAC strain. 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 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 Bryn Athyn, PA

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Bryn Athyn, PA and neighboring areas. We specialize in locating duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with our blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether it’s a new build or an existing home, we’re here to help.
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 with all the ducts and registers sealed tightly using duct mask tape on both sides—supply and return.

After the registers are sealed, we fasten the duct tester to the unit or to a main 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 Bryn Athyn, PA

Ensure your HVAC system delivers maximum efficiency, full compliance, and top performance through professional duct leakage test in Bryn Athyn, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner working to improve comfort or a contractor closing out a project with a final inspection, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

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

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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