Duct Leakage Test in Tylersport, PA

Ensure long-term HVAC performance and code compliance with expert duct leakage test in Tylersport, PA. Our certified technicians evaluate and measure air leaks in duct systems, helping homeowners and builders enhance comfort, decrease energy loss, and comply with state rules.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Tylersport, PA

States and municipalities are using the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family construction and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family construction. The change will lead to several key implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working across the state. A Duct Leakage Test as well as a Blower Door Test in newly constructed or remodeled homes is now required in accordance with 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 boost your energy bills, overload your HVAC system, and send dust and insulation particles throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test essential for both new and older homes. Continue reading to understand why duct leakage test matters and how it can benefit you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To set up a duct leakage test in Tylersport, PA, the technician begins by sealing all supply and return registers, leaving only the air handler or main return open. A specially calibrated fan known as a duct blaster is then put in place at the opening. It depressurizes the ductwork so escaping air can be accurately identified.

The duct blaster uses a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leaks throughout the ductwork without interrupting your home environment. A duct leakage test — widely known as a duct blaster test — pinpoints air leakage in your ducts so you can choose the best sealing methods.

duct leakage test is prompt, clean, and does not interrupt residents’ activities. Most tests in Tylersport, PA take only 30 to 60 minutes, yet the comfort and efficiency gains can last for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is tracked in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned living area. 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 locate trouble spots, review possible upgrades, and see if your home complies with local energy code requirements in Tylersport, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re seeing higher energy bills, irregular heating or cooling, or frequent HVAC malfunctions, duct leakage may be at fault. According to ENERGY STAR, many homes lose as much as 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. Outside air that’s too hot or too cold entering your system strains your HVAC, resulting in higher energy consumption and less comfort.

Overworked equipment also increases the likelihood of breakdowns and drives up repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps protect the long-term performance of your HVAC system, increasing its lifespan and lowering future maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also allow dust, mold spores, moisture buildup, and multiple contaminants to enter the duct system. This can negatively influence allergies, weaken indoor air quality, and lead to expensive long-term damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires that all new homes feature fully sealed duct systems utilizing updated, energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if the leaks are buried far inside your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) gives technicians a way to reach concealed duct leaks without opening walls or ceilings. To carry out this method, every vent is sealed except a single access point. The HVAC system is separated, and a machine is attached to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and releases a delicate aerosol sealant that settles into small gaps and holes traditional techniques can’t access.

This method excels at sealing small to medium leaks. However, bigger holes often must be sealed manually with mastic and tape. Technicians do a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to calculate how much leakage has been reduced and validate the results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common location for air leakage in ducts is the joints. Ductwork includes several metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but those connections are almost never airtight.

As your HVAC system runs through seasonal heating and cooling, the ducts experience ongoing expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement leads to joint loosening, generating gaps and leaks — a clear reason duct leakage test is recommended for new and older homes in Tylersport, PA.

Many energy auditors look for leaks by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to evaluate how wide the gaps at the joints are. 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 should measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler installed. For new construction, passing the duct leakage test is a necessary step before securing an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Tylersport, PA does not meet the duct leakage requirement, you’re likely paying elevated heating and cooling costs — and overburdening your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is required not only for code approval but for keeping your home efficient and comfortable.

Your technician will also give informed guidance on addressing leakage problems, enabling you to pass the test, reduce energy bills, and enhance your home’s performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Tylersport, PA and neighboring areas. 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 schedule 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 duct mask tape being placed on all ducts and registers on both 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 to 25 Pascals. At that point, the nanometer allows us to get an accurate duct leakage measurement.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Tylersport, PA

Ensure your HVAC system maintains strong efficiency, meets code requirements, and performs reliably with trusted duct leakage test in Tylersport, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner improving comfort or a contractor completing a final inspection, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and deliver practical on-site guidance to help you pass your test, decrease energy waste, and preserve your HVAC system’s long-term condition.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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