Duct Leakage Test in Norwood, NJ

Guarantee your HVAC system runs efficiently and adheres to local requirements with quality duct leakage test in Norwood, NJ. Our certified technicians detect and measure air leakage in ductwork, supporting homeowners and builders in improving comfort, minimizing wasted energy, and meeting state requirements.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Norwood, 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 bring notable implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working throughout the state. A Duct Leakage Test paired with a Blower Door Test is now expected for newly constructed and remodeled homes in accordance with the 2015 code requirements. Did you know that ducts are frequently the biggest contributors to home air loss in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can elevate your energy bills, make your HVAC system work harder, and distribute insulation fibers and dust through your home. This makes duct leakage test important for all types of homes, whether new or old. Continue reading to learn why duct leakage test is essential and how you can benefit.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin a duct leakage test in Norwood, NJ, your technician will seal off all supply and return registers except for the main return or the air handler. A specially calibrated fan called a duct blaster is then connected to the opening. This fan depressurizes the duct system, making it easier to pinpoint exactly where air is leaking.

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 — also known as a duct blaster test — pinpoints where air is escaping from your ducts, helping you choose the best sealing methods.

duct leakage test is straightforward, clean, and designed to be non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Norwood, 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 specified in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for each 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect minimal pressure variations, revealing the amount of air leakage occurring in the duct system. Understanding this number allows you to pinpoint problem areas, assess needed improvements, and confirm whether your home satisfies local energy code requirements in Norwood, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If high utility expenses, irregular temperatures, or repeated HVAC troubles sound familiar, duct leakage might be the root cause. According to ENERGY STAR, the average home loses 20% to 30% of conditioned air through 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 heightens the chance of system failures and expensive repairs. Proper duct sealing helps safeguard the long-term reliability of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and reducing how often maintenance is needed.

Duct leaks can also bring dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other impurities into the duct system. This can aggravate allergies, lower indoor air quality, and eventually lead to costly structural damage hidden behind walls or ceilings.

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 if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To apply this method, every vent is sealed aside from one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the ducts. It pressurizes the ducts and injects fine aerosol particles that seal tiny gaps and holes that typical sealing techniques miss.

This method is extremely effective for sealing small to medium leaks. However, big gaps may still need manual sealing using 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 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 moves through annual heating and cooling cycles, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement makes the joints loosen, forming gaps and leaks — meaning a duct leakage test is advised for both new and older homes in Norwood, NJ.

Many energy auditors test for duct leakage by feeling along the ducts and using a small tool to gauge how wide the gaps are at the 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 needs to register under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler attached, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without it attached. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be passed before any home is eligible to receive an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Norwood, NJ doesn’t pass a duct leakage test, chances are you’re paying more for heating and cooling — and adding long-term stress to your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is necessary not only for meeting code standards but also for ensuring strong energy efficiency and indoor comfort.

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 Norwood, NJ

Local Energy Audits is proud to work with customers in Norwood, NJ and all nearby areas. We specialize in measuring duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using advanced blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building new or improving old, 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 ensuring all ducts and registers are sealed with duct mask tape on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we connect the duct tester to either the main HVAC unit or its primary return.

The ducts are then taken down to 25 Pascals. With the ducts depressurized, the nanometer is used to determine the leakage level.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Norwood, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system stays efficient, compliant, and operating at peak performance with expert duct leakage test in Norwood, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for improved comfort or a contractor preparing for a final inspection, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and deliver on-site guidance to help you pass your test, limit energy waste, and preserve your HVAC system’s long-term health.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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