Duct Leakage Test in Mantoloking borough, NJ

Make sure your HVAC system is performing efficiently and meeting local standards with thorough duct leakage test in Mantoloking borough, NJ. Our certified technicians trace and measure duct leaks, supporting homeowners and builders in enhancing comfort, lowering energy waste, and staying compliant with state codes.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Mantoloking borough, NJ

States and municipalities have adopted the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family buildings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family buildings. The change will create several important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating within the state. A Duct Leakage Test and a mandatory Blower Door Test are now required for all new construction or remodeled homes under the 2015 regulatory standards. 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 boost your energy bills, overload your HVAC system, and send dust and insulation particles throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test critical for both modern and older homes. Continue reading to explore why duct leakage test is important and how you benefit from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To set up a duct leakage test in Mantoloking borough, 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 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 — 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, neat, and intentionally non-intrusive for anyone living in the home. Most tests in Mantoloking borough, NJ finish in 30 to 60 minutes, and the upgrades continue benefiting your home’s comfort and efficiency long after.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to sense slight pressure changes, showing precisely how much air is escaping through the ductwork. Understanding this number helps you locate trouble spots, review possible upgrades, and see if your home complies with local energy code requirements in Mantoloking borough, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your home suffers from costly utility bills, uneven comfort levels, or persistent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be contributing. According to ENERGY STAR, homes across the country lose 20% to 30% of their conditioned air through duct leakage. Air from outside—whether hot or cold—entering your system forces your HVAC to work harder, increasing utility bills and reducing indoor comfort.

Overworked equipment also puts extra stress on the system, resulting in breakdowns and increased repair costs. Proper duct sealing helps promote the long-term integrity of your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and limiting continued maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also bring dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other impurities into the duct system. This can increase allergy discomfort, degrade indoor air quality, and eventually cause expensive structural issues 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 if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) can identify and seal leaks that lie deep inside ductwork. 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 sends a fine aerosol sealant through the system, closing small gaps that normal sealing approaches can’t reach.

This method is effective for addressing small to medium leaks. However, larger holes still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians run leakage tests both before and after aerosol sealing to gauge how much air loss decreased and confirm proper results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical place where ducts leak air is at their joints. Ductwork is built from multiple metal sections pressed tightly with fittings and metal bands, yet these joints are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system runs through seasonal heating and cooling, the ducts experience ongoing expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement causes joints to lose their seal, creating gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test valuable for any home in Mantoloking borough, NJ, whether new or old.

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 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 must show under 4 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if it is not. For new construction, the home must pass a duct leakage test before qualifying for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Mantoloking borough, 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 fundamental not only for code adherence but for boosting your home’s long-term efficiency and comfort.

Your technician will also offer expert guidance on fixing leakage problems so you can earn a passing score, reduce utility costs, and enhance your home’s overall performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Mantoloking borough, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly covers Mantoloking borough, NJ and all nearby towns. We specialize in identifying and addressing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new home or optimizing an existing one, 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 blocking all ducts and registers with duct mask tape across both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we connect the duct tester to the unit or to a main return.

The ducts are then placed under 25 Pascals of negative pressure. With the ducts depressurized, we obtain the leakage reading using the nanometer.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Mantoloking borough, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system stays energy-efficient, fully compliant, and operating at peak performance with accurate duct leakage test in Mantoloking borough, 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 provide on-site guidance to help you pass your test, cut energy waste, and safeguard the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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