A very common complaint about duct testing is that the covers get blown off the registers. Most code language leaves the choice of pressurizing or depressurizing up to the tester, but experience has shown that the positive pressure made sealing registers much more difficult, and could triple the time to perform a test.

Energy codes are emerging or being updated nationwide. As air leakage testing becomes a requirement, some testers wonder what value it adds over informed visual inspections. Here are five reasons why blower door and duct leakage testing actually saves auditors’ and homeowners’ time and money.