Duct Leakage Test in Margate City, NJ

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To commence a duct leakage test in Margate City, NJ, your technician will seal every supply and return register except the primary return or air handler. 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 uses a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leaks throughout the ductwork without interrupting your home environment. A duct leakage test — often referred to as a duct blaster test — identifies air loss in your ducts, allowing you to find the most effective ways to seal them.

duct leakage test is quick, neat, and intentionally non-intrusive for anyone living in the home. Most tests in Margate City, NJ take 30 to 60 minutes to complete, and the benefits to comfort and efficiency can endure 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 measure tiny pressure changes, revealing how much air is escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect issues, explore potential fixes, and determine if your home aligns with local energy code requirements in Margate City, 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, homes across the country lose 20% to 30% of their conditioned air through duct leakage. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also puts extra stress on the system, resulting in breakdowns and increased repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps support your HVAC system’s long-term operation, increasing its lifespan and lowering frequent maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also draw in dust, mold spores, unwanted moisture, and other harmful contaminants. This can trigger more severe allergies, diminish indoor air quality, and create expensive structural problems behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC mandates that new homes include fully sealed duct systems built with energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and proper insulation. But what about leaks that occur deep behind walls or ceilings out of sight?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) can access interior duct leaks that are difficult to reach manually. 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 handles small to medium leaks very effectively. However, large openings may still require traditional mastic and tape sealing. 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 likely place for ducts to leak air is through their joints. Ductwork involves multiple metal pieces pressed together with secure fittings and metal bands, yet these connections are rarely perfectly airtight.

As your HVAC system warms and cools over the seasons, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement makes joints shift and loosen, forming gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is advised for homes old and new in Margate City, NJ.

Many energy auditors look for duct leakage by running their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to measure the width of gaps at the joints. If your duct system is unsealed with mastic and approved tape, air leakage is almost certainly occurring.

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, the home must pass a duct leakage test before qualifying for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Margate City, 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 important not only for the inspector, but also for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Your technician will also share expert solutions for tackling leakage problems so you can pass the test, cut down utility expenses, and improve overall comfort and efficiency.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Margate City, NJ

Local Energy Audits is proud to serve families and builders across Margate City, NJ and the surrounding local areas. 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 book a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.