Certified Smoke Testers
Duct Testing Comparisons
Smoke Testing Process
Advantages For Builders
Advantages for AC Contractors
FHBA Article on Smoke Testing
Smoke Testing FAQ's
Builders who Smoke Test
Why Duct Leakage is Important
Duct Leakage Science
Fees for Smoke Testing
Duct Leakage Technical Resources

Smoke Testing Ducts for Identification and Sealing of Observed Leaks - A Simple, Obvious & Cost Effective Measure

"You Can't Fix what you Can't See"

-Jon Klongerbo, Calcs-Plus

 

    Duct leakage into unconditioned spaces can cost you hundreds of dollars per year in cooling and heating costs.   Unfortunately, many of the State and National energy programs do not adequately address solving this problem, but only report leakage belatedly. We have developed a system whereas the duct system is tested and sealed prior to drywall and insulation installation.   Since duct leakage is invisible, we introduce theatrical fog in the ductwork at low pressure to visually identify duct leaks to be properly sealed by the AC technician with the appropriate materials.  

   Final duct testing of the house after drywall and insulation is too late to access the leakages once entombed above drywall and insulation, leaving the homeowner with 20 to 30+ years of high cost air conditioning and heating lost into the attic or garage.  A recent study by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) on 30 new construction houses revealed cooling losses of 10-20% in the ductwork alone. Extrapolating this into monthly costs based upon 10,15, and 20% yields immediate monthly savings:

                        Percentage of Leakage

Monthly Cooling/Heating Costs

10 %

15%

20%
$125 $12.50 $18.75 $25.00
$175 $17.50 $26.25 $35.00
$225 $22.50 $33.75 $45.00
$275 $27.50 $41.25 $55.00
$325 $32.50 $48.75 $65.00

      You expect the plumbing to be pressure checked prior to occupancy.  Doesn’t it make sense to have your duct systems smoke tested by a 3rd party before it becomes entombed?  The cost of the test is miniscule compared to other energy savings measures and is the cheapest one-time “insurance policy” that your system will operate leak-free for the lifetime of the ductwork. Call 321-231-0576 for more information.

Blower door and duct tester combination. Preferred method of measuring and quantifying duct leakage. Results used for reporting requirements, such as Energy Star Certification and other State and Federal programs, however remediation is still extremely limited.

 

Pressure Pan registers to detect Leakage using blower door. This is a poor ESTIMATE of only Localized Duct Leakage, with little chance of remediation

Visual inspection of ductwork for leakage. Leakage is invisible without smoke, so this is at best a shot in the dark that will only find major problems with the most horrendous of installations that conscientious ductwork installers would have found anyway.  Most leakage occurs in the most inaccessible locations that cannot be detected with the naked eye without smoke.