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Duct leakage airflow in existing ductwork can reach values of over 20% of the design air handling unit (AHU) airflow, undermining efficiency and effectiveness of HVAC systems. We have measured, in an existing building where ductwork was installed 20 years before, with no special care on duct leakage and tight building construction schedules, operational duct leakage rates between 10% and 40% of the AHUs airflows.
In an average office building, annual fan energy consumption is of the same magnitude of annual chiller energy consumption, minimising leakage has a significant impact on building energy consumption.
Duct leakage testing gives knowledge of the magnitude of duct leakage airflow and, consequently, increasing awareness of the problem, will support the shift to installations with tighter ductwork.