Duct Leakage Test in Bernardsville, NJ

Make sure your HVAC system performs at its best and satisfies local energy standards with certified duct leakage test in Bernardsville, NJ. Our certified technicians identify and quantify air leaks in duct systems so homeowners and builders can optimize comfort, reduce energy waste, and meet state-level requirements.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Bernardsville, NJ

States and municipalities commonly implement the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family dwellings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family residences. The change will introduce meaningful implications for home builders and HVAC contractors active in the state. A Duct Leakage Test together with a Blower Door Test must now be performed in all newly built or remodeled homes to comply with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are frequently the biggest contributors to home air loss in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can raise utility expenses, overburden your HVAC system, and push insulation material and dust through every area of your home. This makes duct leakage test a key step for new and older homes alike. Read ahead to see why duct leakage test is needed and what advantages it offers.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To set up a duct leakage test in Bernardsville, NJ, the technician begins by sealing all supply and return registers, leaving only the air handler or main return open. A specially calibrated device known as a duct blaster is then attached to the duct opening. Its purpose is to depressurize the system so that escaping air can be detected.

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 — widely known as a duct blaster test — pinpoints air leakage in your ducts so you can choose the best sealing methods.

duct leakage test is rapid, clean, and performed without inconvenience to residents. Most tests in Bernardsville, NJ are wrapped up in 30 to 60 minutes, with improvements that continue to boost comfort and efficiency for 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 pressure variations, helping quantify the amount of duct leakage. Understanding this number helps you detect issues, explore potential fixes, and determine if your home aligns with local energy code requirements in Bernardsville, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If elevated utility bills, shifting temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues occur in your home, duct leakage may be the factor behind them. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also causes additional breakdowns and increases 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 pull in dust, mold spores, moisture, and numerous contaminants into 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 specifies that newly constructed homes must use fully sealed duct systems with modern, efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what should you do when leaks are located deep within your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) makes it possible to seal leaks found deep within the ductwork. To execute this method, all vents are sealed shut except a single access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is attached to the duct network. It pressurizes the ducts and applies a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny openings where standard sealing cannot reach.

This method excels at sealing small to medium leaks. However, bigger holes often must be sealed manually with mastic and tape. Technicians do a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to calculate how much leakage has been reduced and validate the results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common place for ducts to leak air is through the joints. Ductwork is made of multiple metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system warms and cools over the seasons, the ductwork expands and then contracts. 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 Bernardsville, NJ.

Many energy auditors detect duct leakage by physically checking the ducts and using a small tool to assess 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 needs to be under 4 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it isn’t. For new construction, obtaining an occupancy certificate requires passing a duct leakage test first.

If your home in Bernardsville, NJ does not meet duct leakage standards, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and adding unnecessary strain to your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is critical not just for code compliance, but also for defending your home’s comfort and energy performance.

Your technician will also provide skilled recommendations to resolve leakage problems so you can reach a passing score, decrease energy costs, and improve home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly serves homeowners, contractors, and builders throughout Bernardsville, NJ and nearby regions. We specialize in uncovering duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using both blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re starting a new build or improving a current home, 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 duct mask tape being placed on all ducts and registers on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we set up the duct tester by attaching it to the unit or 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 Bernardsville, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system stays efficient, compliant, and operating at peak performance with expert duct leakage test in Bernardsville, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner addressing comfort issues or a contractor completing the last inspection step, our certified team ensures 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 Bernardsville, NJ with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.