Ontario · Energy · checked September 28, 2026

Duct leakage testing in Chatham-Kent

If some rooms never get warm, the problem is often the ductwork, not the furnace. In Ontario, 66% of households heat with a forced-air furnace, so duct losses affect many Chatham-Kent homes.

Get matched in Chatham-Kent → Duct leakage and airflow testing
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

66%

Electric baseboards

7%

Houses built before 1991

82%

How Chatham-Kent is built

Chatham-Kent's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Chatham-Kent's 37,400 houses. Before 1961: 42%, 1961–1990: 39%, 1991–2000: 9%, 2001 or later: 10%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 42%
  • 1961–1990 39%
  • 1991–2000 9%
  • 2001 or later 10%
Each house stands for one in ten of Chatham-Kent's 37,400 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 Chatham-Kent

In Ontario, 66% of households heat mainly with a forced-air furnace, 7% with electric baseboards, 7% with a boiler and radiators and 4% with a heat pump; natural gas is the main heating energy for 58% of households, electricity for 18% and propane for 4% (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Of Chatham-Kent's 37,400 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 42% were built before 1961 and 82% 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 Chatham-Kent

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.

Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate and its assessment-path upgrade rebates; each listing below says whether it's one of them.

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 Chatham-Kent

Provincial · needs an evaluation Home Renovation Savings — Home Energy Assessment path Up to $10,000 per home for insulation, windows and air sealing, plus $600 back on your assessments — if the follow-up assessment is done by December 31, 2026 Open · deadline Provincial Home Renovation Savings — direct rebates (no assessment) Heat pumps up to $7,500 ($12,000 ground-source), solar with battery up to $10,000, plus attic, thermostat and appliance rebates — no assessment needed Open Federal CMHC Eco Improvement premium refund 25% back on your CMHC mortgage insurance premium after $20,000 of energy renovations Open

Duct leakage testing in Chatham-Kent: common questions

How much does duct leakage testing cost in Chatham-Kent?

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 Chatham-Kent

Duct leakage testing in Windsor66 kmDuct leakage testing in London98 kmDuct leakage testing in Waterloo176 kmDuct leakage testing in Brantford177 kmDuct leakage testing in Kitchener178 km All 70 cities →

Sources

Checked September 28, 2026. Census figures are for the municipality (Ontario); climate data is NRCan's HOT2000 station Erieau (38 km away).

Get matched with a registered advisor in Chatham-Kent

Tell us your postal code and what you’re planning. We’ll connect you with one licensed service organization serving your area. No spam, no shared lead lists.

Email us what you’re planning, your postal code and the type of building (a house, a duplex or triplex, or a larger multi-unit building) — we’ll reply with registered service organizations for your area and which rebates apply.

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