Duct Leakage Test in Glasgow, DE

Protect system efficiency and meet local building codes by choosing certified duct leakage test in Glasgow, DE. 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 Glasgow, DE

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 produce important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors functioning 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 ducts are responsible for a large share of air leakage issues in homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can raise your energy bills, strain your HVAC system, and spread insulation and dust throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test necessary for homeowners with either older or newly built homes. Read ahead to see why duct leakage test is important and what you gain from it.

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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 Glasgow, DE. A duct blaster fan, carefully calibrated for accuracy, is then attached to the duct opening. It depressurizes the ductwork, allowing leaks to become more noticeable.

The duct blaster uses its precision pressure sensor partner to measure airflow and uncover duct leaks without causing any home disruption. A duct leakage test — sometimes identified as a duct blaster test — shows where your ducts lose air, helping you plan the right sealing approach.

duct leakage test is fast, tidy, and causes no disruption for residents. Most tests in Glasgow, DE 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 quantified in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for each 100 square feet of conditioned living space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect minimal pressure variations, revealing the amount of air leakage occurring in the duct system. Understanding this number lets you identify inefficiencies, weigh improvement options, and confirm your home’s compliance with local energy code requirements in Glasgow, DE.

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, duct leakage causes homeowners to lose 20%–30% of their conditioned air on average. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also produces more frequent issues that require costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps support the long-term durability of your HVAC system, lengthening its lifespan and minimizing ongoing maintenance demands.

Duct leaks can also pull dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and various contaminants into the duct system. This can heighten allergy issues, compromise indoor air quality, and slowly cause expensive structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC outlines that new homes must be built with fully sealed duct systems, utilizing materials like mastic, foil tape, and insulation to enhance energy efficiency. But what happens when leaks are trapped deep inside wall or ceiling cavities?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) can identify and seal leaks that lie deep inside ductwork. 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 emits a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny gaps and holes that standard sealing methods can’t access.

This method performs well for small and medium leaks. However, larger openings typically require manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians carry out leakage testing prior to and after aerosol sealing to observe the reduction and ensure treatment success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common leakage area in duct systems is the joints. Ductwork involves numerous metal parts pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are almost never fully airtight.

As your HVAC system moves through annual heating and cooling cycles, the ductwork expands and then contracts. 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 Glasgow, DE.

Many energy auditors check duct leakage by feeling around the ducts and using a small tool to test the width of gaps between joints. If your duct system has not received sealing with mastic and approved tape, leakage is very probable.

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, the duct leakage test must be passed prior to the home being approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Glasgow, DE does not pass its duct leakage inspection, you’re likely paying higher heating and cooling bills — and stressing your HVAC system over time. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is important not just for compliance, but for safeguarding your home’s comfort and long-term energy efficiency.

Your technician will also provide professional insights on resolving leakage issues so you can achieve a passing score, lower your utility costs, and optimize home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Glasgow, DE

Local Energy Audits proudly delivers services across Glasgow, DE and the surrounding neighborhoods. We specialize in pinpointing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new house or upgrading your current one, we’re here for you.
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 secure the duct tester to the HVAC unit or to a main return.

The ducts are then brought to a depressurized pressure of 25 Pascals. Once depressurized, we use the nanometer for a leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Glasgow, DE

Ensure your HVAC system is efficient, compliant, and performing at its best with professional duct leakage test in Glasgow, DE. Whether you’re a homeowner addressing comfort issues or a contractor completing the last inspection step, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and supply on-site support to help you pass your test, curb energy waste, and maintain your HVAC system’s long-term performance.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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