Duct Leakage Test in Palm, PA

Ensure your HVAC system is sealed, efficient, and fully compliant with local regulations through duct leakage test in Palm, PA. Our certified technicians pinpoint and measure ductwork air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost comfort, cut energy waste, and meet state compliance standards.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Palm, PA

Many states and municipalities oversee single-family buildings under the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code and multi-family buildings under the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. The change will introduce meaningful implications for home builders and HVAC contractors active in the state. A Duct Leakage Test and a mandatory Blower Door Test are now required for all new construction or remodeled homes under the 2015 regulatory standards. Did you know that ductwork is a major cause of air leakage in homes across 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 critical for both modern and older homes. Continue reading to explore why duct leakage test is important and how you benefit from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To kick off a duct leakage test in Palm, PA, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. A specially calibrated fan called a duct blaster is then connected to the opening. This fan depressurizes the duct system, making it easier to pinpoint exactly where air is leaking.

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 — 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, clean, and comfortable for residents throughout the process. Most tests in Palm, PA are wrapped up in 30 to 60 minutes, with improvements that continue to boost comfort and efficiency 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 detect pressure variations, helping quantify the amount of duct leakage. Understanding this number helps you reveal problem areas, consider enhancement strategies, and validate that your home meets local energy code requirements in Palm, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If elevated utility bills, shifting temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues occur in your home, duct leakage may be the factor behind them. According to ENERGY STAR, homes with leaky ducts routinely lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air. Hot or cold air entering from outside increases the workload on your HVAC system, leading to higher energy bills and a drop in comfort.

Overworked equipment also produces more frequent issues that require 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 let dust, mold spores, moisture, and other pollutants enter the duct system. This can irritate allergies, harm the air quality inside, and cause expensive hidden structural damage as time goes on.

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) allows technicians to seal leaks located inside inaccessible parts of ductwork. To start this method, all vents are blocked except for one access location. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is attached to the ducts. It pressurizes the ducts and sends out a fine aerosol mist that seals tiny openings traditional sealing cannot reach.

This method is ideal for small to medium leaks. However, any large openings will still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians carry out a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to assess how much leakage has improved and ensure the treatment was effective.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most frequent area where ducts lose air is at the joints. Ductwork consists of several metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, yet these connections are almost never fully airtight.

As your HVAC system regulates temperatures through the seasons, the ducts expand when heated and contract when cooled. 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 Palm, PA.

Many energy auditors detect leaks by checking the duct surfaces by hand and using a small tool to measure joint gap width. If your duct system has not been sealed with mastic and approved tape, there is a high chance that leakage is occurring.

What Is an Acceptable Amount of Duct Leakage per Energy Code?

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must come in under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is removed. For new construction, builders must ensure the home passes a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate is granted.

If your home in Palm, PA fails its duct leakage test, you are likely facing inflated heating and cooling costs — along with increased strain on your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is significant not only for meeting local code but also for maintaining optimal comfort and efficiency in your home.

Your technician will also share expert solutions for tackling leakage problems so you can pass the test, cut down utility expenses, and improve overall comfort and efficiency.

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

Local Energy Audits is proud to work with customers in Palm, PA and all nearby areas. We specialize in identifying duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building a new home or improving an existing one, 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 blocking all ducts and registers with duct mask tape across both the supply and return sides.

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

The ducts are then depressurized to a Pascal of 25. With the ducts depressurized we can use the nanometer to get a reading of the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Palm, PA

Ensure your HVAC system remains efficient, code-compliant, and functioning optimally with skilled duct leakage test in Palm, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming for better comfort or a contractor completing final approval, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

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

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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