During a duct test the entire dust system is sealed and a tool called a Duct Blaster is used to determine the amount of leakage your system has. This unit is basically a fan that creates a mild pressure in the ductwork. Then a calibrated tool called a manometer is used to measure the amount of air that escapes. Your energy auditor may also opt to use theatrical smoke, which aids in locating specific leaks that need to be sealed. This test is used to identify more than just needless losses of energy. It is also used to identify indoor air quality issues.

There are two sides to your heating and cooling duct work: supply and return. Supply side leaks cause costly conditioned air to be dumped into the attic, crawlspace or even the garage instead of into the building. Since your heating and cooling equipment must run longer to reach your desired temperature, the result is wasted energy and higher utility costs.

Return side leaks pull outside air into your heating and cooling system, which is usually the opposite of what you want. These leaks also reduce the efficiency of your system which wastes energy. Leaks in the return side ductwork can draw stale air, dust, mold, insulation, dirt and other contaminants into your conditioned space. Moreover, return side leaks can create a negative pressure in your building which leads to back drafting (otherwise known as spillage) of combustion appliances. Spillage is a known cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and a big reason for the all of the CO detectors on the market.

We have found that locating and repairing duct leakage is generally a very cost effective energy saving improvement. In many cases, it can solve comfort issues within particular rooms which are either too hot or too cold. It also addresses a litany of indoor air quality concerns.