Manitoba · Energy · checked September 28, 2026

Duct leakage testing in Winnipeg

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

66%

Electric baseboards

12%

Houses built before 1991

77%

How Winnipeg is built

Winnipeg's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Winnipeg's 202,915 houses. Before 1961: 37%, 1961–1990: 40%, 1991–2000: 6%, 2001 or later: 17%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 37%
  • 1961–1990 40%
  • 1991–2000 6%
  • 2001 or later 17%
Each house stands for one in ten of Winnipeg's 202,915 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 Winnipeg

In the Winnipeg area, 66% of households heat mainly with a forced-air furnace, 12% with electric baseboards and about 7% with a boiler and radiators; natural gas is the main heating energy for 56% of households and electricity for 27% (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Of Winnipeg's 202,915 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 37% were built before 1961 and 77% 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 Winnipeg

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 Winnipeg

Duct leakage testing in Winnipeg: common questions

How much does duct leakage testing cost in Winnipeg?

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 Winnipeg

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