Duct Leakage Test in South Brunswick, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently and meets local energy codes with professional duct leakage test in South Brunswick, NJ. Our certified technicians test and measure ductwork air leaks, helping homeowners and builders improve overall comfort, reduce wasted energy, and comply with state mandates.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In South Brunswick, NJ

States and municipalities are using the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family construction and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family construction. The change will present notable implications for home builders and HVAC contractors active throughout the state. A Duct Leakage Test in addition to a Blower Door Test is now required for new construction and remodeled homes under the 2015 rules. Did you know that duct leakage is one of the top reasons for air loss in homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can spike your energy costs, wear down your HVAC system, and spread dust and insulation throughout various parts of your home. This makes duct leakage test essential for both new and older homes. Continue reading to understand why duct leakage test matters and how it can benefit you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To start conducting a duct leakage test in South Brunswick, NJ, the technician seals all supply and return registers other than the main return or the air handler. A duct blaster — a specially calibrated fan — is then connected to the opening. It depressurizes the duct system to expose areas where air is leaking.

The duct blaster uses its precision pressure sensor partner to measure airflow and uncover duct leaks without causing any home disruption. A duct leakage test — also called a duct blaster test — locates the points where duct air escapes, helping you implement the right sealing solution.

duct leakage test is simple, clean, and minimally invasive for residents. Most tests in South Brunswick, NJ take around 30 to 60 minutes, but the efficiency and comfort improvements can last for many years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is assessed using cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect small pressure differences, which indicate how much air is leaking through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect inefficiencies, assess needed upgrades, and ensure your home complies with local energy code requirements in South Brunswick, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re seeing higher energy bills, irregular heating or cooling, or frequent HVAC malfunctions, duct leakage may be at fault. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. Hot or cold outside air entering your system forces your HVAC system to work harder, driving up energy costs and reducing comfort.

Overworked equipment also produces more frequent issues that require costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps maintain the long-term health of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and reducing ongoing maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also create openings for dust, mold spores, moisture, and various contaminants to enter the duct system. This can intensify allergy symptoms, harm indoor air quality, and cause long-term structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires new homes to have fully sealed duct systems using modern, energy-efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what happens when air leaks are concealed deep in the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps target hard-to-reach openings deep within ducts. To carry out the procedure, technicians seal off all vents except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is linked to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and releases a delicate aerosol sealant that settles into small gaps and holes traditional techniques can’t access.

This method provides strong results for small and medium leaks. However, significant openings may still require mastic and tape by hand. Technicians complete before-and-after duct leakage tests to measure leakage reduction and ensure the aerosol sealing was effective.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical place where ducts leak air is at their joints. Ductwork is built from multiple metal sections pressed tightly with fittings and metal bands, yet these joints are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system transitions between warm and cool air throughout the year, the ducts expand and contract. Over time, this movement results in loose joints that create gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test necessary for new and older homes in South Brunswick, NJ.

Many energy auditors investigate duct leakage by running their hands over the ducts and using a small tool to determine the width of joint gaps. If your duct system has not been properly sealed with mastic and approved tape, it’s very likely that leakage exists.

What Is an Acceptable Amount of Duct Leakage per Energy Code?

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must come in under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is removed. For new construction, the duct leakage test must be passed prior to the home being approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in South Brunswick, NJ does not pass a duct leakage test, you are likely paying more than necessary for heating and cooling — and placing long-term strain on your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is essential not only for code compliance but also for protecting your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

Your technician will also share expert recommendations for fixing leakage problems, helping you achieve a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in South Brunswick, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly covers South Brunswick, NJ and all nearby towns. We specialize in revealing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door and duct leakage test. Whether your project is new or existing, we’re here to assist.
If you’d like to schedule a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.

The Duct Leakage Test Steps Explained

A duct leakage test begins with all ducts and registers being sealed using duct mask tape on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we install the duct tester on the unit or on a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. At that point, the nanometer allows us to get an accurate duct leakage measurement.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in South Brunswick, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system achieves strong efficiency, full compliance, and dependable operation with precise duct leakage test in South Brunswick, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner increasing comfort or a contractor completing a necessary inspection, our certified team offers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and deliver practical on-site guidance to help you pass your test, decrease energy waste, and preserve your HVAC system’s long-term condition.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

Serving homeowners, builders, and contractors across South Brunswick, NJ with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.