Alberta · Energy · checked September 28, 2026

Duct leakage testing in Edmonton

If some rooms never get warm, the problem is often the ductwork, not the furnace. In the Edmonton area, 79% of households heat with a forced-air furnace, so duct losses affect many Edmonton homes.

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

79%

Electric baseboards

Not published

Houses built before 1991

52%

How Edmonton is built

Edmonton's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Edmonton's 275,750 houses. Before 1961: 15%, 1961–1990: 37%, 1991–2000: 10%, 2001 or later: 39%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 15%
  • 1961–1990 37%
  • 1991–2000 10%
  • 2001 or later 39%
Each house stands for one in ten of Edmonton's 275,750 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 Edmonton

In the Edmonton area, 79% of households heat mainly with a forced-air furnace and 8% with a boiler and radiators; natural gas is the main heating energy for 74% of households and electricity for 15% (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Of Edmonton's 275,750 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 15% were built before 1961 and 52% 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 Edmonton

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 Edmonton

Duct leakage testing in Edmonton: common questions

How much does duct leakage testing cost in Edmonton?

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 Edmonton

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