Geothermal Alliance of Illinois

1. Geothermal Alliance of Illinois 2012 IECC “Duct Pressure Testing”

2. Thermal Imaging Services of Central Illinois, Inc. “Improving Home Performance” Brian Kumer Thermal Imaging Services, Inc. Peoria, IL 309-547-5000 office 309-251-1719 cell brian_kumer@yahoo.com www.improvinghomeperformance.com or www.briankumer.com

3. Building Science Hot Line Illinois Home Performance Building Science HOT LINE 866-395-1032 ext. 3 Free to homeowners, renters, contractors, anyone looking for unbiased advice on specific home performance issues and improvements! To learn more go to: www.illinoishomeperformance.org/hotline

4. Equipment Loan Program

5. Balanced Duct System - No Leaks Unconditioned Crawlspace

6. Supply Leaks in Unconditioned Space Unconditioned Crawlspace

7. Return Leaks in Unconditioned Space Unconditioned Crawlspace

8. Cold Bedrooms

9. Tray Ceiling is a Huge Return Duct

10. Duct Leakage to Outside Second Floor Living Space Porch Attic Negative Pressure Front Porch To Furnace

11. Two Important Tips… • Air seal your ducts yourself. DO NOT rely on the foam insulator to air seal your ducts with their spray foam • Try to pressure test your ducts in the rough-in stage of construction

12. Duct Blaster™ - Energy Conservatory

13. Flow Rings Like the Blower Door

14. In-Field Calibration The flow should be between 103 cfm to 109 cfm with the calibration plate installed @ 25.0 Pascals

15. NEW

16. Ring 4 - 2.4 cfm to 25.0 cfm

17. Duct Blaster™ - Energy Conservatory

18. “Total” Duct Leakage Test Ducts pressurized to +25 Pascals Source: The Energy Conservatory Duct Blaster Operators Manual - page 18

19. 2012 IECC “Total” Duct Leakage Total duct leakage is based on 3 cfm / 100 sq’ of conditioned space with no air handler, or 4 cfm / 100 sq’ with air handler installed. • Rough-in no air handler …………………….… 3 cfm • Rough-in with air handler …………………… 4 cfm • Post construction with air handler ………. 4 cfm Example: (2,400 sq’ ÷ 100) x 3 cfm = 72 cfm of total duct leakage (2,400 sq’ ÷ 100) x 4 cfm = 96 cfm of total duct leakage

20. 4 cfm / 100 sq’ of living space System 2 Second Floor System 1 Main Floor & Basement

21. Source of Duct Leakage Living Space Supply Duct Basement / Floor Cavity

22. Source of Duct Leakage Attic Space Supply Duct Living Space

23. Duct Pressure Testing

24. House Set-up… • Open a window to prevent pressurizing the home during the test • Turn off air handler(s) • Cover all supply & return registers with tape or mask. Seal between the floor or wall and the register • Remove air filter • DO NOT tape air filter slot (it’s part of the system)

25. Connect to the Duct System Connected to return grille Connected to blower compartment

26. Direct Mount to Blower Compartment Connected to blower compartment Need to add clearance for blower

27. Air Filter Slot Cover Leakage

28. Pressure Drop Across the Coil Return Ducts Negative Pressure Supply Ducts Positive Pressure (fan) A-coil .2 iwc Return Ducts .1 iwc Air Filter .1 iwc Supply Ducts .1 iwc

29. Pressure Drop Across the Coil 55.0 Pascal's 25.0 Pascal’s (fan) Return Ducts Supply Ducts Duct Blaster

30. Duct Testing Adaptors

31. Duct Testing Adaptors Seal much better and are much faster!

32. Portable Power for Testing

33. Pressure Pan

34. Using a Theatrical Fogger With Fan

35. TrueFlow Air Handler Flow Meter

36. Thermal Imaging Services of Central Illinois, Inc. “Improving Home Performance” Brian Kumer Thermal Imaging Services, Inc. Peoria, IL 309-547-5000 office 309-251-1719 cell brian_kumer@yahoo.com www.improvinghomeperformance.com or www.briankumer.com