How Laval is built
- Before 1961 17%
- 1961–1990 50%
- 1991–2000 13%
- 2001 or later 20%
Who needs it in Laval
In the Montréal area, 54% of households heat mainly with electric baseboards, 15% with a heat pump, 10% with a forced-air furnace and 6% with a boiler and radiators; electricity is the main heating energy for 71% of households, natural gas for 5% and oil for about 2% (Statistics Canada, 2023).
Electric baseboards outnumber furnaces here, and a baseboard-heated house has no ducts to test. The test matters if you have forced air, or before you add a ducted heat pump to existing ductwork.
Of Laval's 101,460 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 17% were built before 1961 and 67% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. Ducts in older houses often run through unheated spaces with taped or unsealed joints, and supply runs to the far rooms are the first to suffer.
What the test shows
- Total duct leakage, as a share of the system's airflow, measured by pressure-testing the ductwork with a calibrated duct-pressurization fan.
- Airflow at each register, which explains why one bedroom is always cold.
- Whether sealing and balancing will fix comfort problems before you buy bigger equipment.
What it costs
About $200–$450 (a September 2026 planning range; quotes vary). It isn't part of a standard EnerGuide evaluation, so ask for it when you book if comfort is your main complaint.
NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Laval
In Quebec, EnerGuide evaluations for existing homes run through the provincial Rénoclimat program; the organizations below are the ones NRCan lists for Laval postal codes.
Duct leakage testing isn't part of a standard EnerGuide evaluation. Some of these organizations offer it, as do HVAC contractors with duct-testing equipment, so ask when you call.
- Expertbâtiment Services-Conseils
- Expertise en batiment Champagne
- ENERGIE3R
Programs in Laval
Duct leakage testing in Laval: common questions
How much does duct leakage testing cost in Laval?
Plan on about $200–$450. It is usually a separate service from an EnerGuide evaluation.
Is duct cleaning the same thing?
No. Cleaning removes dust; it doesn't find or seal leaks. A leakage test measures where air is lost.
What is ductwork pressure testing?
The same thing as a duct leakage test: registers are sealed, a calibrated fan pressurizes the ducts, and the airflow needed to hold the test pressure shows how leaky they are.
Should I close vents in unused rooms?
Usually not. Closing registers raises duct pressure and can increase leakage elsewhere in the system.