What is a common method of verifying duct leakage?

A common method of verifying duct leakage involves using a duct leakage tester or conducting a blower door test. This method is highly effective because it provides measurable data on the air leakage rate within the duct system.

During a duct leakage test, specific pressures are applied to the ductwork to evaluate how much air escapes from the system. This can be particularly important in ensuring that the HVAC system operates efficiently and that conditioned air is delivered to the intended spaces without excessive losses. Additionally, blower door tests can also assess the overall tightness of a building, contributing to a comprehensive analysis of energy performance.

In contrast, while inspecting duct seams manually may help identify visible issues, it does not quantify the leakage effectively. Sound testing is generally less reliable and does not provide an accurate measure of airflow loss. Measuring temperature changes in the duct system can indicate issues but does not directly quantify the leak rate or provide precise verification of leakage levels. Therefore, utilizing duct leakage testers or performing blower door tests remains the standard approach for accurately assessing duct leakage.