Duct Leakage Test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ

Confirm your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local inspection standards with professional duct leakage test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ. Our certified technicians measure and identify ductwork air leaks, assisting homeowners and builders in boosting comfort, limiting energy waste, and maintaining state compliance.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ

Across many states and municipalities, the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code applies to single-family homes, while the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code governs multi-family buildings. The change will set in motion important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors who operate in the state. A Duct Leakage Test as well as a Blower Door Test in newly constructed or remodeled homes is now required in accordance with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that duct leakage is one of the most common issues affecting homes 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 valuable for new and existing homes alike. Read on to learn why duct leakage test is important and how it can help you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To set up a duct leakage test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ, the technician begins by sealing all supply and return registers, leaving only the air handler or main return open. A duct blaster — a precision-calibrated fan — is then fitted to the duct opening. By depressurizing the system, it makes all air leaks much easier to detect.

The duct blaster joins forces with a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leak points in the ducts without disturbing your home. 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 quick, neat, and intentionally non-intrusive for anyone living in the home. Most tests in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ are completed in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting enhancements can support your home’s comfort and efficiency long-term.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is reported in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned home area. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect small pressure differences, which indicate how much air is leaking through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you identify problem areas, evaluate potential improvements, and determine whether your home meets local energy code requirements in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re facing higher energy bills, uneven heating or cooling, or recurring HVAC repairs, duct leakage could be to blame. According to ENERGY STAR, the average household loses 20%–30% of conditioned air because of leaking ducts. Air entering from outside—whether warm or cold—makes your HVAC operate harder, causing energy costs to climb and comfort to decrease.

Overworked equipment also produces more frequent issues that require costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps uphold the long-term performance of your HVAC system, stretching its lifespan and decreasing routine maintenance demands.

Duct leaks can also pull dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and various contaminants into the duct system. This can negatively influence allergies, weaken indoor air quality, and lead to expensive long-term damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires newly built homes to install fully sealed duct systems using advanced materials like mastic, foil tape, and quality insulation. But what if the leaks you’re dealing with are deep inside 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 distributes a fine aerosolized sealant that seals small openings traditional methods cannot reach.

This method is very effective for minor to moderate leaks. However, substantial openings may still need traditional 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 frequent area where ducts lose air is at the joints. Ductwork consists of several metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, yet these connections are almost never fully airtight.

As your HVAC system runs through seasonal heating and cooling, the ducts experience ongoing expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement allows the joints to loosen, producing gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is suggested for homes of all ages in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ.

Many energy auditors identify duct leakage by moving their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to check the width of joint openings. 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 come in under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is removed. For new construction, an occupancy certificate cannot be issued unless the home passes a duct leakage test.

If your home in Franklin township (Gloucester), 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 required not only for code approval but for keeping your home efficient and comfortable.

Your technician will also recommend effective ways to fix leakage issues so you can earn a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly supports customers throughout Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ and the areas nearby. We specialize in locating and diagnosing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether your home is newly built or older, we’re here to help.
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 set to a depressurized pressure of 25 Pascals. Once there, we use the nanometer to capture the leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ

Ensure your HVAC system remains energy-efficient, code-approved, and performing at its highest capacity with professional duct leakage test in Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner increasing comfort or a contractor completing a necessary inspection, our certified team offers fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and provide hands-on guidance to help you pass your test, reduce wasted energy, and ensure the long-term health of your HVAC system.

Serving homeowners, builders, and contractors across Franklin township (Gloucester), NJ with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.