Duct Leakage Test in Upper Darby, PA

Make sure your HVAC system is performing efficiently and meeting local standards with thorough duct leakage test in Upper Darby, PA. 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 Upper Darby, 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 generate several impactful implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating statewide. A Duct Leakage Test plus the required Blower Door Test are now necessary for newly built or remodeled homes in line with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are a significant source of air leakage in residential properties across 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 highly important for homes of any age. Read on to learn why duct leakage test matters and the benefits you can gain.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To get started with a duct leakage test in Upper Darby, PA, the technician will block every supply and return register except the main return or air handler. A calibrated duct blaster fan is then mounted to the opening. This fan creates negative pressure inside the ducts, making air leakage locations easier to find.

The duct blaster joins forces with a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leak points in the ducts without disturbing 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 efficient, clean, and performed without bothering residents. Most tests in Upper Darby, 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 tracked in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned living area. Your technician uses a nanometer to read small pressure variations, helping determine the volume of air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect inefficiencies, assess needed upgrades, and ensure your home complies with local energy code requirements in Upper Darby, PA.

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, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. 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 sustain your HVAC system’s long-term condition, increasing its operational lifespan and decreasing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also allow the entry of dust, mold spores, moisture, and a range of contaminants into the duct system. This can worsen allergy flare-ups, reduce indoor air quality, and cause long-term structural deterioration behind walls or ceilings.

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 about leaks located deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. 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 pushes a fine aerosol sealant through them, sealing small holes that ordinary sealing methods can’t reach.

This method provides strong results for small and medium leaks. However, significant openings may still require mastic and tape by hand. Technicians conduct duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to see how much the leakage dropped and ensure the treatment worked properly.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common spot where air escapes in duct systems is the joints. Ductwork features several metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, though these areas are seldom airtight.

As your HVAC system warms and cools over the seasons, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement makes joints shift and loosen, forming gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is advised for homes old and new in Upper Darby, PA.

Many energy auditors locate duct leakage by touching the ductwork and using a small tool to measure the width of separation between joints. If your duct system wasn’t sealed using mastic and approved tape, there is a strong chance that air leaks are occurring.

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 Upper Darby, PA does not meet duct leakage standards, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and adding unnecessary strain to your HVAC equipment. 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 Upper Darby, PA

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Upper Darby, PA and nearby locations. We specialize in finding duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new home or upgrading an older one, we’re ready to assist.
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 all ducts and registers being sealed using duct mask tape on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we connect the duct tester to either the main HVAC unit or its primary 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 Upper Darby, PA

Ensure your HVAC system remains energy-efficient, code-approved, and performing at its highest capacity with professional duct leakage test in Upper Darby, 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, reduce energy waste, and protect the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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