Duct Leakage
Air escaping from ductwork joints, connections, and holes before reaching conditioned rooms. The average U.S. duct system leaks 20-30% of airflow.
Why It Matters
Leaky ducts waste conditioned air into attics, crawlspaces, and walls — costing 20-30% of your HVAC energy. Sealing ducts with mastic (not duct tape) is a high-ROI improvement.
Related Terms
Blower Door Test
A diagnostic test that uses a calibrated fan mounted in an exterior doorway to depressurize the house and measure the total air leakage rate, expressed in CFM50 or ACH50.
Energy Audit
A professional assessment of a home's energy performance, including blower door testing, thermal imaging, duct leakage testing, insulation evaluation, and appliance efficiency review.
Manual J Load Calculation
The industry-standard method (ACCA Manual J) for calculating a home's heating and cooling loads based on climate, insulation, windows, orientation, occupancy, and other factors.