Duct Leakage Test in Penns Park, PA

Keep your HVAC system energy-efficient and up to code with accurate duct leakage test in Penns Park, PA. Our certified technicians discover and measure air leaks in ductwork so homeowners and builders can achieve better comfort, cut down on energy waste, and meet state compliance needs.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Penns Park, PA

Many states and municipalities enforce the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family properties and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family developments. The change will result in several substantial implications for home builders and HVAC contractors engaged in work across the state. A Duct Leakage Test along with the required Blower Door Test must now be conducted on any newly built or remodeled home as per 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 utility expenses, overburden your HVAC system, and push insulation material and dust through every area of your home. This makes duct leakage test beneficial for all homes, new or old. Keep reading to find out why duct leakage test is essential and how it can improve your home.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To start the duct testing process in Penns Park, PA, the technician seals all supply and return registers except for the main return or the air handler. 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 and its precision pressure sensor work together to measure airflow and detect duct leaks without causing any disruption in your home. A duct leakage test — also called a duct blaster test — locates the points where duct air escapes, helping you implement the right sealing solution.

duct leakage test is quick, clean, and non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Penns Park, PA are done in about 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting enhancements can support your home’s comfort and efficiency for many 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 identify subtle pressure differences, helping determine how much air is leaking from the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect inefficiencies, assess needed upgrades, and ensure your home complies with local energy code requirements in Penns Park, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your energy bills are unusually high, your rooms feel unevenly heated or cooled, or your HVAC system needs frequent repairs, duct leakage could be the issue. According to ENERGY STAR, the average household loses 20%–30% of conditioned air because of leaking ducts. When hot or cold outside air enters your system, your HVAC has to work harder, increasing energy costs and lowering overall comfort.

Overworked equipment also causes components to fail more often, leading to costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps maintain the long-term health of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and reducing ongoing maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also allow dust, mold spores, excess moisture, 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 requires new homes to have fully sealed duct systems using modern, energy-efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if the problem areas are buried deep within the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To begin this method, every vent is sealed except for one access opening. The HVAC unit is isolated, and a machine is installed onto the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and sends a fine aerosol sealant through the system, closing small gaps that normal sealing approaches can’t reach.

This method works best for small to medium leaks. However, large openings usually require traditional 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 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 operates in varying temperatures across the year, the ducts undergo expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement causes the joints to loosen, opening gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test beneficial for both new and older homes in Penns Park, PA.

Many energy auditors detect duct leakage by physically checking the ducts and using a small tool to assess the width of joint gaps. If your duct system isn’t sealed with mastic and approved tape, there’s a good chance that leaks are occurring.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system should come out under 4 CFM per 100 square feet in tests with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be passed before any home is eligible to receive an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Penns Park, PA doesn’t receive a passing duct leakage result, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and putting significant long-term strain on your HVAC setup. 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 advise you on the best ways to address leakage issues so you can pass the test, reduce utility bills, and enhance your home’s efficiency.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Penns Park, PA

Local Energy Audits is proud to work with customers in Penns Park, PA and all nearby areas. We specialize in uncovering duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using both blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re starting a new build or improving a current home, we’re here to assist.
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 attach the duct tester directly to the unit or to one primary return.

The ducts are then taken down to 25 Pascals. With the ducts depressurized, the nanometer is used to determine the leakage level.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Penns Park, PA

Ensure your HVAC system remains efficient, code-compliant, and functioning optimally with skilled duct leakage test in Penns Park, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner enhancing indoor comfort or a contractor finishing a final inspection, our certified team offers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and provide on-site assistance to help you pass your test, cut down on energy waste, and extend the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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