Duct Testing & Air Sealing Services in Green Lane, PA

We begin by walking your home and examining accessible ductwork—in the attic, basement, crawlspace, or mechanical closet. We look for obvious signs of leaks: separated joints, unsealed connections, visible gaps, missing insulation, or ductwork damage. We also assess whether ducts are properly sized and routed. This initial walkthrough gives us a preliminary estimate of leakage severity and helps us plan the testing approach.

• Visual walkthrough of all accessible ductwork, including plenum connections and branch lines
• Identification of obvious leaks, damage, disconnections, crushed sections, or deteriorated ductwork
• Assessment of duct insulation condition, coverage gaps, and age/degradation
• Evaluation of system layout, routing through unconditioned spaces, and potential pressure-balancing issues
• Photo documentation of concerning findings for your records and to reference during sealing work
• Discussion of findings and overview of the full testing process

Using a duct blower or static pressure gauge, we pressurize your ductwork system and measure the actual air leakage rate (in CFM—cubic feet per minute at 25 pascals). This tells us the total amount of air escaping, where leaks are concentrated, and how much sealing will improve efficiency. We compare results against ASHRAE 152 and state energy code standards to quantify your system’s performance and benchmark it against typical homes.

• Setup of duct-blower testing equipment in furnace return-air plenum
• Sealing of furnace bypass leaks and conditioning of the space to stable temperature
• Pressurization of the ductwork system to 25 pascals (industry standard test pressure)
• Precise measurement of air leakage rate in CFM and rough localization of leak zones
• Comparison of results against ASHRAE 152 standards and local energy code baselines
• Written test report with baseline CFM, percentage of total airflow lost, and leakage severity classification
• Explanation of what the numbers mean and how they affect your utility bills and comfort

Once we know your total leakage, we use a smoke pencil (incense stick method), infrared thermal imaging, or pressure-mapping techniques to pinpoint individual leaks. We mark accessible leaks for sealing and note inaccessible leaks (in walls, buried in insulation) that we can address indirectly through connection sealing and plenum work. This step is critical: you can’t fix a leak you can’t find, and we won’t miss them.

• Smoke-pencil or thermal imaging to identify individual leak locations with precision
• Marking of all found leaks with paint pen or tape for repair prioritization
• Assessment of whether leaks are easily accessible, difficult, or embedded in walls/insulation
• Determination of leak type (separated joints, holes, cracks, damper frame gaps, boot disconnects)
• Discussion of sealing strategy based on leak distribution and accessibility
• Photo or video documentation of major leak locations for your records and installer reference

Using EPA-approved mastic sealant and foil tape (not duct tape—that degrades in 5–10 years), we seal every connection we can access: plenum-to-trunk connections, trunk-to-branch junctions, register boots, damper frames, and isolated holes. We also seal cracks and separated joints. Our goal is to eliminate all accessible leaks and reduce your baseline leakage by 50–75% or more.

• Application of professional-grade mastic sealant to every accessible connection (hand-applied or with mesh reinforcement)
• Use of UL-listed foil tape for seams and reinforcement where mastic alone won’t hold
• Sealing of all penetrations (where ducts pass through walls/floors), small holes, cracks, and separated joints
• Repair or replacement of severely damaged or disconnected ductwork sections
• Special attention to plenum connections, return-air boot sealing, and supply-line trunk junctions (highest-leak areas)
• Verification of sealed connections with visual inspection and re-testing of select areas before insulation work begins

Exposed ductwork in unconditioned spaces (attic, crawlspace, basement) loses significant energy—often 15–25% of conditioned air just to temperature transfer. We add or replace insulation on all accessible ducts, typically R-6 to R-8, to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Insulation also prevents condensation formation in humid climates and protects against thermal short-cycling.

• Removal and safe disposal of degraded, wet, or inadequate existing insulation
• Installation of new fiberglass, foam board, or spray-foam insulation (R-6 minimum; R-8 in attics preferred)
• Proper wrapping and sealing of insulation to prevent air bypass and settling
• Special attention to vulnerable areas: attics (extreme temperature swings), cold crawlspaces, and ducts running over exterior walls
• Verification that insulation does not restrict airflow or compress around bends (which degrades thermal value)
• Documentation of insulation coverage and R-value applied for your records

After all sealing and insulation work is complete, we re-test the ductwork to confirm leakage reduction. We’ll document the improvement in CFM and explain the expected energy savings and improved system performance. We’ll also commission the system to ensure everything operates smoothly and safely.

• Post-seal duct-leakage test using identical methodology and equipment as the baseline test
• Detailed comparison of before-and-after leakage rates (baseline CFM vs. final CFM, and percentage reduction)
• Verification of proper airflow distribution across all supply and return branches
• Functional test of furnace/air handler operation, thermostat response, and system pressurization
• Calculation of expected energy savings based on leakage reduction and local utility rates
• Written summary report showing baseline CFM, final CFM, percentage improvement, estimated annual savings, and compliance status
• Walk-through explanation of what we’ve sealed, what you should avoid disturbing, and signs to watch for future leaks