Duct Blaster Total Leakage Test

The total duct leakage test measures how much air leakage there is for all of the ductwork connected to the hvac system including ducts located both outdoors and indoors.

Duct blaster total leakage test.

Duct air leakage test not required where ducts and air handlers are entirely within the building thermal envelope. Total leakage measured with a pressure differential of 0 1 inch w g. Duct blaster a duct blaster is used to directly pressure test the duct system for air leaks much the same way a plumber pressure tests water pipes for leaks. To find the total duct leakage that s basically all you do.

The diagram above taken from the energy conservatory s duct blaster manual shows the setup for the total leakage test. Duct leakage measurements are used to diagnose and demonstrate leakage problems estimate efficiency losses from duct leakage and certify the quality of duct system installation. The duct blaster fan is first connected to the duct system at the air handler cabinet or a return grille. Two different types of performance testing systems are used to measure duct leakage.

25 pa across the entire system including manufacturer s air handler enclosure all registers taped or otherwise sealed exception. According to energy star certified homes version 3 rev 08 for ducts in unconditioned spaces such as unconditioned vented attics or crawlspaces both tests should be conducted. The only other thing you need to make sure you do is keep the spaces where the ducts are at the same pressure as the outdoors as much as you can anyway. After temporarily sealing all remaining.