Duct Leakage Testing

Cutaway house showing ductwork, blue arrows indicating air leaks, and a duct blaster fan testing the HVAC system.

A duct leakage test evaluates the integrity of a building’s heating and cooling ductwork by measuring the amount of air lost through leaks in the system. During the test, a calibrated fan is connected to the ductwork to pressurize the duct system, allowing the total leakage to be measured. Excessive duct leakage can reduce the amount of conditioned air delivered to living spaces, waste energy, and make it more difficult to maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Testing provides measurable results that help assess duct system performance and identify potential areas for improvement.

What is a Duct Leakage Test?

Large flexible silver ventilation duct running from a fan on a hardwood floor to a ceiling opening with a red canvas frame blower door setup in the background.
Portable ventilation fan with flexible duct connected to a wall vent, electronic controller, and striped cup indoors