Duct Detailing in the Northwest

More than 120 newly trained HVAC contractors are fanning out across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, testing and sealing residential duct systems. Thanks to their efforts, as of last February, 1,700 residential duct systems were losing on average 50% less hot air than before they were sealed. Each site-built house saves an average of 1,600 kWh per year in heating energy.

These contractors received their duct-testing and duct-sealing training through the Performance Tested Comfort Systems (PTCS) program, which was kicked off in 1997 by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a nonprofit consortium of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups, and industry representatives committed to bringing affordable, energy-efficient services to the marketplace. The PTCS program requires duct leakage testing before and after sealing to verify that the leakage rates have been reduced by at least 50% in existing housing or that all systems meet maximum leakage requirements.

The PTCS program has now taken on a life of its own. PTCS, a new independent non-profit organization created to administer the program, is working with 22 Northwest utilities to maintain the training and certification momentum. PTCS arranges for the trainings, conducts quality assurance checks in the field, and certifies the contractors after they complete both in-field and written tests. In addition, PTCS makes marketing/training binders available to utilities and interested contractors to help them explain and sell the health, comfort, and energy benefits of well-sealed ducts.

PTCS hopes to see diagnostics become a regular part of any HVAC service call, according to Tom Hewes, energy analyst with the Oregon Office of Energy and regional project manager of PTCS. The organization's goal is to have well-sealed ducts in 2,000 homes by the end of the year, and twice that number by 2001. Interested contractors or utilities can contact Tom Hewes at (503)373-7875.

--Mary James

Mary James is the editor/publisher of Home Energy.

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