Duct Leakage Testing
Duct leakage testing pressurizes the duct system and calculates how much air escapes it, as a percentage against the allowance your permit was issued under.
Leaky ducts waste the capacity you paid for. Air that escapes into an attic never reaches a room, so the equipment runs longer, the far bedrooms stay uncomfortable, and in a vented attic the system can pull dusty air back in through the return side. It is one of the most common reasons a newly installed system underperforms.
The test itself is straightforward. We seal the registers and grilles, connect a calibrated fan to the duct system, bring it to test pressure, and measure the airflow required to hold that pressure. That number converts to a leakage percentage, which either meets the allowance for your scope of work or does not. The result is a number, not an opinion, which is exactly what the building department wants in the file.
What the Testing Involves
- Calibrated duct pressurization test at the required test pressure
- Full-system air loss calculated, across boots, registers, and grilles
- Leakage percentage compared against permitted code allowances
- Retest after sealing work when the first result falls short
What You Receive
- A documented leakage percentage for the permit file
- Registered CF-2R and CF-3R documentation
- Pass or fail stated plainly, with the measured numbers behind it
Common Questions
What if the ducts fail the test?
The contractor seals the system and we retest. Older duct systems being reused often fail the first time, which is worth knowing before the inspector is standing in the driveway.
Do you test existing ducts or only new ones?
Both. What matters is what the permit covers. Replacing equipment on an existing duct system frequently triggers a leakage test on those existing ducts.
How long does the test take?
Usually under an hour for a single system, once access to the registers and the air handler is clear.
Need Duct Leakage Testing This Week?
Call with the address and the scope, or send it through the form. We will tell you exactly which tests the permit triggers.