Are Leaking Ducts Increasing Your Energy Bills? How to Tell 

You probably don’t think about your HVAC air ducts too often, but they could be adding hundreds of dollars a year to your energy bills. 

In the average house, 20-30% of all air that moves through the ducts is lost to leaks. That means you’re paying for heat and AC that never even reaches your living spaces. 

Signs Your Ducts Are Leaking Energy 

It’s hard to tell if your air ducts are leaking energy since they’re usually hidden away in the attic or behind walls. But there are signs you can look out for, including: 

• High Energy Bills – If your energy bills are climbing and you can’t figure out why, it could be your ducts. 
• Heat/AC Doesn’t Reach Every Room – This is a clear sign that heat/air conditioning is leaking out of the ducts before it reaches every room. 
• Excessive Dust – Leaky ducts suck in dust and allergens from your attic and crawlspace, which ends up in your breathing air. 
• Visible Gaps – If you can see gaps and holes in your ductwork, you know it’s leaking. 
• Weak Airflow – The air coming out of your vents should feel strong and consistent. If it’s weak, your ducts may be leaking air. 

How to Detect Leaks in Ductwork 

If you think your ducts are leaking, the next step is to confirm your suspicions. There are a few ways to detect leaks in your ducts, including:

Duct Blaster Test 

A duct blaster test is the best way to find out if your air ducts are leaking. To run the test, we use a specialized fan and a pressure gauge to measure the amount of air leaking from your ducts. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Setup – We start by sealing all vents to prepare for the test. 
2. Fan Installation – We connect a fan (aka a “duct blaster”) to your duct system. 
3. Pressurization – The fan changes the pressure inside your air ducts, forcing air out through leaks and gaps. 
4. Measurement – We use a gauge to measure the amount of air leaking out to determine whether it’s an acceptable or problematic amount. 

At e3 Power, we offer independent duct leakage testing. We don’t offer duct sealing services ourselves (which is how you fix leaky ducts), so you know you’re getting accurate results for your test, not just an opportunity to upsell you on a more expensive service. 

DIY Duct Leakage Testing 

There are DIY duct leakage tests you can try if you want to get a baseline before scheduling a professional duct leakage test with e2 Power. These tests won’t tell you how much air is leaking, but they can help you determine whether there’s cause for concern. 

The best DIY duct leakage tests include: 

• Feeling for Air – The simplest method is to simply run your hand along your ductwork slowly and feel for air. If you can feel it blowing on you where it shouldn’t be, there’s a leak. 

• Smoke Test – Light an incense stick and hold it near your ductwork, carefully moving along it. If the smoke wavers, air is leaking out of the ducts. 

Is a Professional Duct Blast Test Worth It? 

Professional duct leakage testing is absolutely worth it. If you’re building a new house or doing significant renovations, it’s likely required by code, especially if you live in Denver. 

Even if you’re just making improvements to an existing home, however, duct leakage testing has many benefits. It will help you determine whether duct sealing is worth the investment, which can lead to benefits like: 

• Lower Energy Bills – Finding and sealing duct leaks can reduce your energy usage by as much as 30%, saving you money on your heating and cooling bills. 

• Improved Comfort – A properly sealed duct system is better at moving heated and cooled air throughout your home, eliminating temperature inconsistencies and hot/cold spots. 

• Healthier Air Quality – Sealed ducts don’t pull in dust and allergens, so your indoor air stays cleaner and healthier. 

Call 303-292-1233 to schedule a duct leakage test in Denver, CO!