Measuring Duct Leakage with a DuctBlaster
A duct blaster combines a small fan and a pressure gauge to pressurize a house’s duct system and accurately measure air leakage of the ductwork. This test is similiar to a pressure test of a plumbing system. Duct leakage can increase heating and cooling costs over 30% and contribute to comfort, health and safety problems. Having an energy efficient home means controlling all the air flow within the home envelope.
Duct Blaster Test Results:
Ductwork and Mechanical
Ductwork for mechanical systems should besealed tightly with mastic and at least pass a level of duct tightness of 5-7% of the floor area; e.g., a 1,000 square foot house could have up to 50-70 cfm of leakage in the ductwork. These levels are easily achievable with a moderate sealing effort. A good rule of thumb is to have all joints and seams in ductwork sealed with mastic and to be insulated to R-5 or better when located in unconditioned spaces, such as attics or crawlspaces.
Please review the following informational videos to learn more about the Duct Blaster process:
