We’ve posted about the importance of duct sealing on this blog before. Ducts may not seem like they need a lot of professional attention, but they can develop some serious issues if left alone for long enough. One of those serious issues is duct leaks. Duct testing serves as a way to identify any leaks in your ducts, so that they can then be sealed. Let’s take a closer look at what duct testing entails, and why you should have it done at least once a year.
Why Duct Testing is Necessary
Without duct testing, you’re going to have a very hard time finding any leaks in your ductwork. While individual leaks may be small, they can add up to some pretty big problems. According to the US Department of Energy, the average forced air system loses as much as 30% of its output to duct leaks. That’s a huge chunk of your total heating and air conditioning budget that is going to waste.
What Happens During Duct Testing
First, the various duct vents are sealed off except for one. A blower door is attached to the remaining vent, and is used to pressurize the entire ductwork. The rate that the ducts return to normal pressure is then measured, in order to determine if any leaks exist in the network. Depending on the results of that test, the leaks are then identified and sealed. Duct testing is the single most accurate way to tell if there are any leaks in your ducts. While some may believe that after having their ducts sealed once, they don’t need to do it again, new leaks can and will form over time. That is why you need to have your ducts tested every year, to keep an eye out for new leaks.
If you haven’t had your ducts tested yet, call Saddleback Plumbing. We serve the entire Trabuco Canyon, CA area.