Duct Leakage Test in Westampton, NJ

Keep your HVAC system energy-efficient and up to code with accurate duct leakage test in Westampton, 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 Westampton, NJ

States and municipalities now follow the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family residences, as well as the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family structures. The change will carry significant implications for home builders and HVAC contractors serving communities in the state. A Duct Leakage Test alongside a Blower Door Test must now be completed in newly constructed or remodeled homes to meet the 2015 regulatory standards. Did you know that ductwork is a major cause of air leakage in homes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can drive up energy bills, put extra stress on your HVAC system, and circulate dust and insulation throughout your living space. This makes duct leakage test critical for both modern and older homes. Continue reading to explore why duct leakage test is important and how you benefit from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To get started with a duct leakage test in Westampton, NJ, the technician will block every supply and return register 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 and its precision pressure sensor work together to measure airflow and detect duct leaks without causing any disruption in your home. A duct leakage test — frequently called a duct blaster test — reveals air escape points in your ducts, guiding you toward the best sealing options.

duct leakage test is quick, clean, and non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Westampton, NJ take only 30 to 60 minutes, yet the comfort and efficiency gains can last for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is quantified in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for each 100 square feet of conditioned living space. Your technician relies on a nanometer to read slight pressure variations that show the amount of air leaking through the duct system. Understanding this number helps you uncover weak points, analyze opportunities for upgrades, and check whether your home follows local energy code requirements in Westampton, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your energy bills are unusually high, your rooms feel unevenly heated or cooled, or your HVAC system needs frequent repairs, duct leakage could be the issue. According to ENERGY STAR, the majority of homes lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. When outdoor temperatures enter your system, the HVAC must work harder to compensate, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced comfort.

Overworked equipment also brings more system failures and higher repair expenses. Proper duct sealing helps sustain your HVAC system’s long-term condition, increasing its operational lifespan and decreasing maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also cause dust, mold spores, and excess moisture — along with other contaminants — to infiltrate the duct system. This can worsen allergy reactions, negatively affect indoor air quality, and contribute to costly hidden structural damage over the years.

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 if the problem areas are buried deep within the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) can access interior duct leaks that are difficult to reach manually. To carry out this method, every vent is sealed except a single access point. The HVAC system is separated, and a machine is attached 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 is great for handling small to medium leaks. However, larger holes often require manual sealing with mastic and tape. 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 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 operates in both heating and cooling modes year-round, the ducts continuously expand and contract. Over time, this movement leads to joint loosening, generating gaps and leaks — a clear reason duct leakage test is recommended for new and older homes in Westampton, NJ.

Many energy auditors locate duct leakage by touching the ductwork and using a small tool to measure the width of separation between joints. 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 should come out under 4 CFM per 100 square feet in tests with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, no home can receive an occupancy certificate without first passing a duct leakage test.

If your home in Westampton, NJ fails its duct leakage test, you are likely facing inflated heating and cooling costs — along with increased strain on your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is vital not only for satisfying code rules but also for preserving your home’s comfort and energy performance.

Your technician will also provide professional insights on resolving leakage issues so you can achieve a passing score, lower your utility costs, and optimize home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits is honored to serve customers in Westampton, NJ and all surrounding areas. We specialize in identifying duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building a new home or improving an existing one, we’re here to help.
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 securing duct mask tape over every duct and register on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we mount the duct tester onto the unit or onto a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to a Pascal of 25. With the ducts depressurized we can use the nanometer to get a reading of the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Westampton, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system maximizes efficiency, meets required standards, and performs consistently with thorough duct leakage test in Westampton, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting better comfort or a contractor reaching the final inspection stage, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and offer on-site expertise to help you pass your test, reduce unnecessary energy loss, and protect your HVAC system over the long term.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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