Duct & Blower Door Testing

• Total Duct Leakage testing - measure to total leakage of the system for overall efficiency of the HVAC duct system.
• Duct Leakage testing to the outdoors – measure duct leakage in un-conditioned areas to the outdoor environment utilizing duct blaster and blower door system. Used only in HERS ratings.
• Duct Leakage Tracing – system testing to find leaks in the duct system to help meet code requirements.

Duct Air Leakage Testing is also required in towns that have not adopted the Stretch Energy Code and are following 2015 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) requirements. Current Stretch Code towns are required to meet the 2015 IECC code requirements as well.

2015 IECC code requirements are one of the following 2 Duct Testing options:

Leakage to the Outside is no longer an option in 2015 IECC

Option 1 - At any point, air handler and ducts installed – Total Duct Leakage – Max leakage 4 cfm per 100 sq ft.
Option 2 – At rough-in, air handler not installed – Duct Blast Test Ducts Only – Max leakage 3 cfm per 100 sq ft.

2015 IECC code requirements for Blower Door Testing:

All penetrations to the outside must be competed.

Maximum Air Changes per Hour (ACH) is 3. The test must be competed 5 times and the results are averaged together per IECC 2015.