Duct Leakage Test in Lopatcong, NJ

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate testing, your technician will seal all supply and return registers except for the main return or air handler during a duct leakage test in Lopatcong, NJ. A specially calibrated duct blaster is then installed onto the opening. The fan lowers the pressure inside the ducts, helping reveal any leakage points.

The duct blaster joins forces with a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leak points in the ducts without disturbing your home. A duct leakage test — often known as a duct blaster test — exposes duct air loss, allowing you to apply the most effective sealing techniques.

duct leakage test is fast, debris-free, and completely resident-friendly. Most tests in Lopatcong, NJ are completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and the improvements can benefit your home’s comfort and efficiency for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is measured using cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area. Your technician uses a nanometer to identify pressure differences, which provide a clear picture of how much air is leaking from the ductwork. Understanding this number lets you identify inefficiencies, weigh improvement options, and confirm your home’s compliance with local energy code requirements in Lopatcong, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re dealing with rising utility bills, inconsistent room temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues, duct leakage could be the reason. According to ENERGY STAR, the typical home loses between 20% and 30% of its conditioned air due to duct leaks. Hot or cold outside air leaking in makes your HVAC system work more than it should, driving up energy costs and diminishing comfort.

Overworked equipment also puts extra stress on the system, resulting in breakdowns and increased repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps sustain your HVAC system’s long-term condition, increasing its operational lifespan and decreasing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also bring dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other impurities into the duct system. This can worsen allergies, reduce indoor air quality, and even cause expensive structural damage behind walls or ceilings over time.

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 leaks are hidden deep inside walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is an effective solution for reaching hidden ductwork leaks. To begin this method, every vent is sealed except for one access opening. The HVAC unit is isolated, and a machine is installed onto the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and circulates a fine aerosolized sealant that locates and fills tiny leaks beyond the reach of typical sealing.

This method provides strong results for small and medium leaks. However, significant openings may still require mastic and tape by hand. Technicians test the ducts for leakage before and after aerosol sealing to determine the reduction level and verify success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common point where ducts leak air is along the joints. Ductwork is made from multiple metal pieces pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are rarely completely airtight.

As your HVAC system operates in varying temperatures across the year, the ducts undergo expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement causes joints to lose their seal, creating gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test valuable for any home in Lopatcong, NJ, whether new or old.

Many energy auditors inspect duct leakage by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to determine how wide the gaps are between joints. 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 is required to measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it isn’t installed. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be passed before any home is eligible to receive an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Lopatcong, NJ is unable to pass a duct leakage test, you are probably spending too much on heating and cooling — while your HVAC equipment endures long-term stress. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement matters not only for code compliance, but also for protecting your home’s comfort and reducing energy waste.

Your technician will also give professional advice on resolving leakage issues to help you achieve a passing score, cut down utility bills, and boost your home’s performance.

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

Local Energy Audits is proud to serve families and builders across Lopatcong, NJ and the surrounding local areas. We specialize in detecting duct leakage and reducing energy inefficiencies using blower door and duct leakage test. Whether you’re creating a new home or improving an existing one, we’re here to assist.
If you’d like to book a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.