TESTING PROCEDURE

TESTING PROCEDURE What should you expect when a contractor performs a duct test at your home or business? The test should take about an hour from initial setup to completion. You may be present while the test is being conducted, although the heating and air conditioning system must be shut off during testing. A properly conducted test will not damage your heating or air conditioning system or your building. The contractor will have to attach the duct tester to the blower compartment of the air handler or the main return grill using masking tape. Next the supply registers and any remaining return grills must be taped closed. After the duct system is temporarily sealed, the duct tester fan will be turned on to pressurize the duct system to a predetermined level (usually 25 Pascals, which is 0.1 inches of water column), and the contractor will adjust the gauges until the pressure level is stabilized. The contractor then records the fan pressure and converts this to a fan flow in cubic feet per minute. The results will show how leaky your duct system is and help you and your contractor decide whether sealing or repair work is necessary