How Do You Check for Duct Leaks?

A Technician Repairs an Air Duct Leak.

Checking for Air Duct Leaks

A home with central heating and air conditioning has an air duct network that guides the treated air throughout the house through air vents in each room.  These ducts are made of aluminum and galvanized steel traditionally. The ducts are mounted usually in the attic on a stationary surface to keep them from vibrating. However, they can come loose or can begin to wear thin as they age. The best way to determine if the air ducts are working properly is with air duct leak testing. 

Are there other types of materials used for air ducts? 

When you have an HVAC system installed, the professional contractor will discuss other choices in air duct material and recommend the best type for your home. The other choices in air duct material include: 

  • Fiberboard Air Ducts

Made with fiberglass and resin then an insulation of foil is added. The downside to this type of air duct material is the rough interior made by the fiberglass strands catches debris and dust blowing through the ducts. This will eventually lower the efficiency level of the air ducts. This material is also susceptible to mildew and mold forming. The positives to this type of air duct it is less expensive and more flexible to fit around tight areas in the attic. 

  • Fiberglass Air Ducts

Constructed much like the galvanized metal air duct but has a fiberglass lining added to minimize heat loss. Because of the interior lining, when there is possible air duct leak testing and cleaning needed, it needs to be done by a professional contractor. This type of air duct system is popular in commercial structures and office buildings. 

  • Flexible Air Ducts

These air ducts are not rigid like the other air duct types we’ve mentioned. They are constructed with a steel spring coil and then covered in thick plastic. These are popular in structures with tight spaces. are easy to install, and another benefit, they are less expensive. They can be punctured easily though, and during the installation process, they can become kinked or start to sag, resulting in an air duct leak. Testing and repairing those leaks is important in order to get the most from these air ducts. 

What is air duct leak testing and how is air duct leak testing conducted? 

Air duct leak testing is done by professionals that use calibrated mechanical equipment and measure the airflow that isn’t coming out of the air vents when the HVAC system is blowing. Air duct leak testing helps them determine if there are disconnected, leaking, or sagging air ducts. They will either make repairs or replace any damaged or disconnected ducts. 

Why is air duct leak testing important?

The HVAC system in your home is designed to maintain the temperature indoors, keeping your home comfortable, with cooling or heating, based on the thermostat setting.  An HVAC system also filters the indoor air of your home. It keeps pollutants minimized that can contaminate your home’s air. 

However, if the HVAC system isn’t working correctly, i.e., air duct leaks, it can’t keep your home at a consistently comfortable temperature or keep the pollutants minimized. Additionally, if there are any air duct leaks, you’re wasting money on cooling and heating the attic instead of the living space of your home. 

This is why air duct leak testing is so important! If you’re going to spend money on cooling and heating, you want to keep your home comfortable, and you want it to keep the air as clean and healthy as possible. 

What are the benefits of air duct leak testing? 

The benefit of air duct leak testing is that it finds where your air ducts aren’t doing the job they are designed to do.  The benefit comes from the repairs and replacements that are done once the duct leak testing has identified problem areas. 

What are the signs of a leaky air duct?

As the air ducts in the attic or walls age, or they come loose from the stable surfaced they were installed on, or you may have critters in the attic that have chewed, clawed, or torn the air ducts. A duct leak testing can find these problem areas, but you can tell you need a duct leak test performed if you’ve noticed any of the following: 

  • Increased Utility Bills.
  • Cold Spots on the Walls.
  • Humming Sounds.
  • Warm Air from the Vents.
  • Decreased Air Flow.

How often should air duct leak testing be done? 

Experts recommend a routine of having air duct leak testing every other year unless you’re noticing problems like the ones we listed above. If you do notice these things, getting duct leak testing could find the problem, and repairing it will fix it. If not, then you’ll need to move on to having your HVAC system inspected. 

A Damaged Air Duct

Keeping It Chilled, Or Heated

With duct leak testing in Fort Worth, TX, you’ll find out quickly if the cooled or heated air you’re paying for is going where it is needed: in the living space of your home. Will the duct leak testing process cost? Yes, nothing is free these days, but you need to look at it as an investment, not an expense! Find out how we can help with duct leaks by calling 817-781-8781.