Prince Edward Island · Energy · checked September 28, 2026

Duct leakage testing in Charlottetown

If some rooms never get warm, the problem is often the ductwork, not the furnace. In Prince Edward Island, only 14% of households heat with a forced-air furnace, so the test matters mainly for homes with ducts or those adding a ducted heat pump.

A duct-testing fan on a basement floor connected by flexible duct to a furnace, a pressure gauge hanging from a joist

Typical cost

$200–$450

Forced-air furnaces

14%

Electric baseboards

10%

Houses built before 1991

66%

How Charlottetown is built

Charlottetown's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Charlottetown's 10,405 houses. Before 1961: 20%, 1961–1990: 46%, 1991–2000: 12%, 2001 or later: 22%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 20%
  • 1961–1990 46%
  • 1991–2000 12%
  • 2001 or later 22%
Each house stands for one in ten of Charlottetown's 10,405 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row and duplex), drawn by when it was built. The glow shows the usual pattern: older houses tend to be leakier and less insulated. Snowfall scales with heating degree-days. Sources: Statistics Canada 2021 Census (table 98-10-0233-01), NRCan HOT2000 climate data.

Who needs it in Charlottetown

In Prince Edward Island, 36% of households heat mainly with a heat pump, 16% with a boiler and radiators, 14% with a forced-air furnace and 10% with electric baseboards; oil is the main heating energy for 28% of households, electricity for 18% and wood for 8% (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Of Charlottetown's 10,405 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 20% were built before 1961 and 66% 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 with a 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.

Duct leakage testing in detail.

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 Charlottetown

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.

Source: NRCan list of licensed service organizations, checked September 28, 2026. Call to confirm your street is covered and ask about wait times.

Programs in Charlottetown

Duct leakage testing in Charlottetown: common questions

How much does duct leakage testing cost in Charlottetown?

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.

Should I close vents in unused rooms?

Usually not. Closing registers raises duct pressure and can increase leakage elsewhere in the system.

Duct leakage testing near Charlottetown

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