Understanding Its Importance for New and Existing Homes
Duct leakage testing, commonly referred to as “duct blasting,” is important for both new construction and existing homes. Our Tampa Bay team provides duct leakage testing to document duct tightness, help you pass Florida energy inspections on the first attempt, and reduce callbacks.
In several Florida counties, it is a mandatory requirement for new construction projects. Results are recorded on the duct leakage form included with your R405 and R402 energy calculations when required, and the test is often paired with blower door testing of the building envelope.
Homeowners of existing houses can also benefit, as it offers a quick and cost-effective way to identify and address issues that can lead to substantial financial losses.
Calc Wizards is led by owner Mike Smith, a state certified contractor with more than 25 years of HVAC experience.
Air leaks in ductwork waste the conditioned air you’ve paid to heat or cool your living space. A significant 20–30% of this air can escape before it reaches its intended destination, leaking into unconditioned areas like the attic, crawl space, or garage.
As a result, energy bills rise and the overall comfort of your home suffers. In Florida’s humid climate, pressurizing these unconditioned spaces can also create conditions for mold growth, adding to the problem.
A leaky duct system also puts extra strain on your air handler and condensing unit. They run longer trying to maintain the desired temperature, which shortens their lifespan.
Duct leakage testing involves subjecting the ductwork to either negative or positive pressure of 25 pascals. By creating this controlled pressure difference, energy auditors can accurately measure the amount of air leakage in the system, reported in CFM25.
The process begins by installing a calibrated fan at the main return and sealing off all supply registers and return grilles. Once the target pressure is reached, the auditor measures the airflow to assess how tight the ductwork is.
Duct leakage testing plays a significant role in the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems. By identifying and addressing air leaks in ductwork, it makes sure heated or cooled air reaches its intended destinations without unnecessary losses.
