Duct Leakage Test in Washington Crossing, PA

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To start the duct testing process in Washington Crossing, PA, the technician seals all supply and return registers except for the main return or the air handler. A duct blaster — a precision-calibrated fan — is then fitted to the duct opening. By depressurizing the system, it makes all air leaks much easier to detect.

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 — also called a duct blaster test — locates the points where duct air escapes, helping you implement the right sealing solution.

duct leakage test is simple, clean, and minimally invasive for residents. Most tests in Washington Crossing, PA finish in 30 to 60 minutes, and the upgrades continue benefiting your home’s comfort and efficiency long after.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is reported in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned home area. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect minimal pressure variations, revealing the amount of air leakage occurring in the duct system. Understanding this number helps you reveal problem areas, consider enhancement strategies, and validate that your home meets local energy code requirements in Washington Crossing, PA.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you observe rising utility costs, temperature swings in different rooms, or regular HVAC breakdowns, duct leakage may be involved. According to ENERGY STAR, most homes lose 20% to 30% of their conditioned air through leaking ductwork. When outside hot or cold air seeps into your system, your HVAC must compensate, leading to higher energy costs and diminished comfort.

Overworked equipment also increases the likelihood of breakdowns and drives up repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps support your HVAC system’s long-term operation, increasing its lifespan and lowering frequent maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also allow the entry of dust, mold spores, moisture, and a range of contaminants into the duct system. This can trigger more severe allergies, diminish indoor air quality, and create expensive structural problems behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC specifies that newly constructed homes must use fully sealed duct systems with modern, efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps seal hard-to-find openings within the duct system. 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 emits a fine aerosolized sealant designed to fill small leaks unreachable with standard sealing.

This method excels at sealing small to medium leaks. However, bigger holes often must be sealed manually with mastic and tape. Technicians perform a duct leakage test both before and after aerosol sealing to determine how much leakage has decreased and confirm the treatment worked.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical location for air to escape from ducts is at the joints. Duct systems are built from multiple metal pieces pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these joints are seldom completely airtight.

As your HVAC system provides heating and cooling year-round, the ducts repeatedly expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes joints to lose their seal, creating gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test valuable for any home in Washington Crossing, PA, whether new or old.

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 properly sealed using mastic and approved tape, air leakage is very likely occurring.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler in place, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is not installed. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be successfully passed before the home can obtain an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Washington Crossing, PA doesn’t pass a duct leakage test, chances are you’re paying more for heating and cooling — and adding long-term stress to your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is needed not only for passing inspections, but also for improving home comfort and energy efficiency.

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 Washington Crossing, PA

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Washington Crossing, PA and nearby locations. We specialize in assessing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether it’s a new build or a current home, we’re here to support you.
If you’d like to schedule a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.