Duct Leakage Test in Butler, NJ

Confirm your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local inspection standards with professional duct leakage test in Butler, NJ. Our certified technicians find and measure ductwork air leaks, allowing homeowners and builders to improve indoor comfort, reduce energy waste, and satisfy state standards.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Butler, NJ

Various states and municipalities have adopted the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family houses, along with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family units. The change will bring forward important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working in the state. A Duct Leakage Test plus the required Blower Door Test are now necessary for newly built or remodeled homes in line with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ductwork often causes some of the highest levels of air leakage in homes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can raise your energy bills, strain your HVAC system, and spread insulation and dust throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test vital for homes both old and newly built. Keep reading to find out why duct leakage test matters and what benefits it provides.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate a duct leakage test in Butler, NJ, your technician seals all supply and return registers, leaving only the main return or air handler open. A calibrated duct blaster is then secured to the opening. Its function is to depressurize the duct system, creating conditions that highlight any escaping air.

The duct blaster pairs with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow and identify leak locations in the ducts without disrupting your home. A duct leakage test — sometimes identified as a duct blaster test — shows where your ducts lose air, helping you plan the right sealing approach.

duct leakage test is quick, clean, and non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Butler, NJ take between 30 and 60 minutes, and the improvements they deliver can elevate comfort and efficiency for years ahead.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is rated in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the home’s conditioned zone. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect pressure variations, helping quantify the amount of duct leakage. Understanding this number enables you to recognize problem areas, consider efficiency improvements, and verify that your home meets local energy code requirements in Butler, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re encountering increased energy bills, temperature inconsistencies, or constant HVAC repairs, duct leakage could be the source. According to ENERGY STAR, the average home loses 20% to 30% of conditioned air through 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 enhance the long-term resilience of your HVAC system, lengthening its lifespan and cutting overall maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also let dust, mold spores, moisture, and other pollutants enter the duct system. This can make allergies more severe, reduce the quality of indoor air, and produce costly structural harm behind walls or ceilings as time progresses.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC ensures that new homes are built with duct systems sealed entirely using efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what happens when leaks are trapped deep inside wall or ceiling cavities?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) gives technicians a way to reach concealed duct leaks without opening walls or ceilings. To set up this method, all vents are sealed off except for a single access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is fitted to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and sprays a fine mist of sealant that fills tiny leaks and holes beyond the reach of conventional sealing.

This method is effective for addressing small to medium leaks. However, larger holes still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians conduct duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to see how much the leakage dropped and ensure the treatment worked properly.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most usual area for air leakage in ducts is at the joints. Ductwork includes various metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are hardly ever airtight.

As your HVAC system delivers heat and cooling across different seasons, the ducts constantly expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes joints to lose their seal, creating gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test valuable for any home in Butler, 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 is missing mastic and approved tape sealing, there’s a significant chance that air leakage is happening.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must read under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, builders must ensure the home passes a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate is granted.

If your home in Butler, NJ doesn’t receive a passing duct leakage result, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and putting significant long-term strain on your HVAC setup. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is important not just for compliance, but for safeguarding your home’s comfort and long-term energy efficiency.

Your technician will also provide expert recommendations on how to address leakage issues so you can achieve a passing score, lower your utility bills, and improve your home’s overall performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly serves customers throughout Butler, NJ and surrounding areas. We specialize in assessing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether it’s a new build or a current home, we’re here to support 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 with sealing each duct and register 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 a level of 25 Pascals. Once depressurized, the nanometer provides an accurate duct leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Butler, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system stays efficient, compliant, and operating at peak performance with expert duct leakage test in Butler, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on comfort or a contractor closing out an inspection, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and offer expert on-site guidance to help you pass your test, improve energy efficiency, and protect the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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