Duct Leakage Test in Folcroft, PA

Keep your HVAC system energy-efficient and up to code with accurate duct leakage test in Folcroft, PA. Our certified technicians locate and quantify air leaks in duct systems so homeowners and builders can enhance comfort, lower energy loss, and comply with state regulations.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Folcroft, PA

Across the country, states and municipalities enforce 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 create several important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating within the state. A Duct Leakage Test plus a Blower Door Test are now compulsory in newly constructed or renovated homes according to the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are a significant source of air leakage in residential properties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can drive up energy bills, put extra stress on your HVAC system, and circulate dust and insulation throughout your living space. 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 kick off a duct leakage test in Folcroft, PA, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. 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 teams up with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow accurately and locate duct leaks without affecting 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 easy, clean, and unobtrusive for residents in the home. Most tests in Folcroft, PA take just 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting improvements can enhance your home’s comfort and efficiency long-term.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is rated in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the home’s conditioned zone. Your technician uses a nanometer to measure tiny pressure differences, making it possible to determine how much air the ducts are losing. Understanding this number allows you to identify concerns, evaluate upgrade opportunities, and determine whether your home fulfills local energy code requirements in Folcroft, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your home has elevated utility bills, temperature imbalances, or frequent HVAC service calls, duct leakage may be responsible. According to ENERGY STAR, the majority of homes lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. Hot or cold outside air entering your system forces your HVAC system to work harder, driving up energy costs and reducing comfort.

Overworked equipment also makes breakdowns more common and repairs more expensive. Proper duct sealing helps improve the long-term health of your HVAC system, boosting longevity and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also allow dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other contaminants into the duct system. This can amplify allergy problems, impact air quality indoors, and slowly create costly structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC mandates that new homes include fully sealed duct systems built with energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and proper insulation. But what if the problem areas are buried deep within the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To carry out the procedure, technicians seal off all vents except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is linked 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 seals small to medium leaks effectively. However, large gaps may still call for manual sealing using mastic and tape. Technicians conduct a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to measure how much the leakage has been reduced and ensure the treatment is successful.

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 runs through seasonal heating and cooling, the ducts experience ongoing expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement compromises the joints, forming gaps and leaks — which is exactly why duct leakage test is encouraged for new and older homes in Folcroft, PA.

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 lacks proper sealing with mastic and approved tape, there is a high chance that leakage is taking place.

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, a passing duct leakage test is essential before the home can qualify for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Folcroft, PA is unable to pass a duct leakage test, you are probably spending too much on heating and cooling — while your HVAC equipment endures long-term stress. 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 offer professional recommendations to tackle leakage issues so you can secure a passing score, reduce utility costs, and strengthen home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly delivers services across Folcroft, PA and the surrounding neighborhoods. 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 sealing each duct and register using duct mask tape on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we hook the duct tester to the HVAC unit or a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized until they reach 25 Pascals. With them depressurized, the nanometer measures the amount of leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Folcroft, PA

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

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

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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