How can you identify leaks in your ductwork?

Identifying leaks in ductwork can effectively begin with observing uneven heating or cooling throughout a space. When ductwork has leaks, the conditioned air may escape before reaching its intended destination, leading to some rooms being warmer or cooler than others. This discrepancy is a clear indicator that the duct system may not be functioning optimally, often pointing to potential leaks that disrupt airflow. As air escapes through leaks, the efficiency of the HVAC system decreases, resulting in increased energy costs and inconsistent climate control within the building.

While checking for dust accumulation, inspecting external portions of ducts, and measuring duct size can provide useful maintenance insights, they do not directly indicate leaks with the same reliability as observing temperature imbalances throughout the property. Dust accumulation may occur for various reasons unrelated to airflow, external inspection may miss internal damages, and duct size comparison focuses more on installation accuracy rather than current functional integrity.