The Delta Q method of testing the air leakage of ducts

Conference · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:840863

Walker, I S ^[1]; Dickerhoff, D J; Sherman, M H

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1. LBNL Library

The DeltaQ test has been developed in order to provide better estimates of forced air system air leakage for use in energy efficiency calculations and for compliance testing of duct systems. The DeltaQ test combines a model of the house and duct system with the results of house pressurization tests with the air handler on and off to determine the duct leakage air flows to outside conditioned space at operating conditions. The key advantage of the DeltaQ test over other methods is that it determines the air leakage flows directly, rather than requiring interpretation of indirect measurements. The results from over 200 field and laboratory tests are presented. The laboratory tests have shown that the DeltaQ repeatability uncertainties are typically 1% or less of system fan flow and that the accuracy of the test is between 1.3% and 2.5% of fan flow (or 13 cfm to 25 cfm (6 to 12 l/s) for this system).

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of the Building Technology Program, State and Community Programs, Office of Building Research and Standards; California Institute for Energy Efficiency under Contract S9902A (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 840863
• Report Number(s): LBNL--49749
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ACCURACY
AIR FLOW
BLOWERS
COMPLIANCE
DUCTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
PRESSURIZATION
TESTING