Duct Leakage Test in Woodbury, NJ

Keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency and in full compliance with local codes through expert duct leakage test in Woodbury, NJ. Our certified technicians assess and measure air leaks in ducts to help homeowners and builders increase comfort, reduce energy inefficiencies, and ensure state compliance.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Woodbury, NJ

States and municipalities have put in place the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family projects and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family projects. The change will create several important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating within the state. A Duct Leakage Test and the mandated Blower Door Test apply to all new or renovated homes under the 2015 regulations. Did you know that leaking ducts are a widespread cause of air loss in homes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can increase monthly energy costs, stress your HVAC system, and scatter dust and insulation across your living areas. This makes duct leakage test necessary for homeowners with either older or newly built homes. Read ahead to see why duct leakage test is important and what you gain from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To conduct a proper duct leakage test in Woodbury, NJ, your technician first seals all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler. A specially calibrated duct blaster fan is then secured to the opening. Its job is to depressurize the duct system, allowing air leaks to reveal themselves clearly.

The duct blaster functions with a precision pressure sensor to analyze airflow and spot leaks in the duct system without affecting your home’s comfort. A duct leakage test — commonly called a duct blaster test — detects areas where your ducts lose air, helping you select the most efficient sealing solutions.

duct leakage test is easy, clean, and unobtrusive for residents in the home. Most tests in Woodbury, NJ finish within 30 to 60 minutes, and the benefits to your home’s comfort and efficiency can last for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is tracked in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned living area. Your technician uses a nanometer to read small pressure variations, helping determine the volume of air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you spot leakage issues, evaluate corrective measures, and determine if your home is meeting local energy code requirements in Woodbury, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you are experiencing high utility bills, uneven temperatures, or frequent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be the cause. According to ENERGY STAR, the majority of homes lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also makes breakdowns more common and repairs more expensive. Proper duct sealing helps enhance the long-term resilience of your HVAC system, lengthening its lifespan and cutting overall maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also pull in dust, mold spores, moisture, and numerous contaminants into the duct system. This can make allergies worse, impact indoor air quality, and result in costly structural damage behind walls or ceilings as time passes.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC enforces that new homes incorporate fully sealed ducts made with modern, energy-efficient materials including 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 implement this method, every vent is covered except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and applies a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny openings where standard sealing cannot reach.

This method works efficiently for small to medium leaks. However, larger gaps usually require manual sealing using mastic and tape. Technicians run leakage tests both before and after aerosol sealing to gauge how much air loss decreased and confirm proper results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical place for ducts to lose air is at the joints. Ductwork consists of different metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, yet these joints are not usually airtight.

As your HVAC system changes between heating and cooling during the year, the ducts naturally expand and shrink. Over time, this movement gradually loosens the joints, creating leaks and gaps — highlighting the importance of duct leakage test in both new and older homes in Woodbury, NJ.

Many energy auditors detect leaks by checking the duct surfaces by hand and using a small tool to measure joint gap width. If your duct system wasn’t sealed using mastic and approved tape, there is a strong chance that air leaks are occurring.

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, passing the duct leakage test is a necessary step before securing an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Woodbury, NJ doesn’t pass its duct leakage evaluation, you’re likely paying more for temperature control — and contributing to long-term HVAC strain. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is significant not only for meeting local code but also for maintaining optimal comfort and efficiency in your home.

Your technician will also share expert solutions for tackling leakage problems so you can pass the test, cut down utility expenses, and improve overall comfort and efficiency.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Woodbury, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly provides solutions to customers throughout Woodbury, NJ and surrounding regions. We specialize in pinpointing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new house or upgrading your current one, we’re here for you.
If you’d like to book 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 by closing off every duct and register with duct mask tape across both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we secure the duct tester to the HVAC unit or to a main return.

The ducts are then pulled down to 25 Pascals of depressurization. With the ducts in this state, we take a leakage reading using the nanometer.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Woodbury, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently, stays compliant, and performs at peak levels with certified duct leakage test in Woodbury, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner enhancing indoor comfort or a contractor finishing a final inspection, our certified team offers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and supply on-site guidance to help you pass your test, reduce energy loss, and maintain the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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