Duct Leakage Test in Ottsville, PA

Verify your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local requirements with reliable duct leakage test in Ottsville, PA. Our certified technicians test and measure ductwork air leaks, helping homeowners and builders improve overall comfort, reduce wasted energy, and comply with state mandates.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Ottsville, PA

Numerous states and municipalities rely on the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family properties and apply the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code to multi-family properties. The change will result in several substantial implications for home builders and HVAC contractors engaged in work across 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 contribute heavily to air leakage in homes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can result in higher utility costs, extra load on your HVAC system, and dust and insulation traveling throughout 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.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To conduct a proper duct leakage test in Ottsville, PA, your technician first seals all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler. A specially calibrated duct blaster fan is then connected to the opening. This fan depressurizes the ducts to help locate where air is escaping.

The duct blaster, working hand in hand with a precision pressure sensor, measures airflow and identifies leaks in the ductwork without impacting your home. A duct leakage test — commonly called a duct blaster test — detects areas where your ducts lose air, helping you select the most efficient sealing solutions.

duct leakage test is hassle-free, clean, and won’t interfere with residents’ daily routines. Most tests in Ottsville, PA take between 30 and 60 minutes, and the improvements they deliver can elevate comfort and efficiency for years ahead.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is calculated in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for every 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to pick up minor pressure shifts that indicate the level of air leakage within the ducts. Understanding this number helps you identify problem areas, evaluate potential improvements, and determine whether your home meets local energy code requirements in Ottsville, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re facing higher energy bills, uneven heating or cooling, or recurring HVAC repairs, duct leakage could be to blame. According to ENERGY STAR, leaking ducts cause the average home to lose 20%–30% of conditioned air. Air from outside—whether hot or cold—entering your system forces your HVAC to work harder, increasing utility bills and reducing indoor comfort.

Overworked equipment also accelerates wear and tear, resulting in more breakdowns and costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps ensure the long-term stability of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and reducing future maintenance work.

Duct leaks can also introduce dust, mold spores, excess humidity, and other contaminants into the duct system. This can worsen allergy conditions, affect indoor air quality, and result in costly damage forming behind walls or ceilings over time.

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 about leaks located deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To set up this method, all vents are sealed off except for a single access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is fitted to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and injects a fine aerosolized sealant that targets small holes and gaps unreachable by traditional sealing methods.

This method seals small to medium leaks effectively. However, large gaps may still call for manual sealing using 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 typical place where ducts leak air is at their joints. Ductwork is built from multiple metal sections pressed tightly with fittings and metal bands, yet these joints are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system heats and cools during seasonal changes, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement loosens the joints, causing gaps and leaks — which is why both new and older homes in Ottsville, PA should consider a duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors identify duct leakage by moving their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to check the width of joint openings. If your duct system is missing mastic and approved tape sealing, there’s a significant chance that air 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, a passing duct leakage test is essential before the home can qualify for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Ottsville, PA cannot pass a duct leakage test, you are likely wasting money on heating and cooling — and causing long-term wear on your HVAC system. 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 skilled recommendations to resolve leakage problems so you can reach a passing score, decrease energy costs, and improve home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly delivers services across Ottsville, 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 by securing duct mask tape over every duct and register on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we attach the duct tester to either the unit itself or a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. At that point, the nanometer allows us to get an accurate duct leakage measurement.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Ottsville, PA

Ensure your HVAC system is efficient, compliant, and performing at its best with professional duct leakage test in Ottsville, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner optimizing comfort or a contractor completing mandatory inspections, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and provide hands-on guidance to help you pass your test, reduce wasted energy, and ensure the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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