Conserving Energy To Save Money

Posted on: 6 December 2019

Leaky ducts are a problem since they allow heated and cooled air to leak out before it reaches the registers. One way to find out if your ducts are leaking is to have a duct leakage test done. This test can also tell you how bad the problem is so you can tell if the leaks are causing you to waste money on your power bills. Learn about having this test done here.

The Tests Check For Two Types Of Leaks

Leaks in ducts in an unconditioned space such as an attic or crawlspace are more serious than leaks in a conditioned part of your house. When a duct in an attic leaks, hot or chilled air is leaked into the attic space where it is wasted, since it won't help control the climate in your home. This type of leak drives up your power bill because it can make your HVAC run longer even though you're still uncomfortable in your home.

The other type of leak happens in a conditioned space, and it doesn't waste as much energy because the leaking air helps condition the rooms. However, since the distribution of the air is not optimal, you may find it harder to stay comfortable in certain rooms of your home. The duct leak detection company can run tests to check for both of these leaks.

The Tests Are Based On Pressure And Airflow

A duct leakage test involves sealing all the registers in your home and the openings around the ducts in the HVAC equipment. This creates a nearly airtight seal if the ducts don't have any leaks. Then, a fan is placed in the system to depressurize it. The pressure and airflow are measured with electronic equipment and compared against normal readings. The second part of the test involves the door of your home. A fan is placed in the doorway and the space around it is sealed so that the air is pulled out of your house through the fan. Meters measure the pressure readings, and calculations are done to determine how much air is leaking from the ducts to unconditioned spaces in your home. If a large leak is found, the tests might be repeated to help narrow down the location of the leak.

The Results Let You Know Repairs Are Needed

If no signs of damage are obvious, then a good place to start with repairs is at the joints in the ducts. Applying mastic over these areas helps seal them better than using duct tape alone on metal ducts or zip ties on coil ducts. Your contractor might use a device that emits a vapor that looks like smoke. By watching for vapor movement along the ducts, the contractor can pinpoint areas that need to be sealed.

For more information about duct leakage tests, contact a company like All About Energy.