Duct Leakage Test in Bayville, NJ

Verify your HVAC system’s efficiency and meet local requirements with reliable duct leakage test in Bayville, 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 Bayville, NJ

Many states and municipalities enforce the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family properties and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family developments. The change will generate several impactful implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating statewide. A Duct Leakage Test as well as the required Blower Door Test must now be performed on new or remodeled homes following the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are among the biggest contributors to air leakage in homes all across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can increase monthly energy costs, stress your HVAC system, and scatter dust and insulation across your living areas. 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.

What Our Clients Say

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To commence a duct leakage test in Bayville, NJ, your technician will seal every supply and return register except the primary return or air handler. A specially calibrated duct blaster is then installed onto the opening. The fan lowers the pressure inside the ducts, helping reveal any leakage points.

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 — frequently called a duct blaster test — reveals air escape points in your ducts, guiding you toward the best sealing options.

duct leakage test is quick, neat, and intentionally non-intrusive for anyone living in the home. Most tests in Bayville, NJ are done within 30 to 60 minutes, with improvements that strengthen comfort and efficiency for years to come.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is determined in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for every 100 square feet of conditioned interior space. Your technician uses a nanometer to register small pressure differences, which help calculate how much air is leaking from the ducts. Understanding this number helps you uncover weak points, analyze opportunities for upgrades, and check whether your home follows local energy code requirements in Bayville, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re experiencing spikes in utility bills, uncomfortable temperature variations, or ongoing HVAC repair needs, duct leakage may be to blame. According to ENERGY STAR, leaking ducts cause the average home to lose 20%–30% of conditioned air. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also results in more frequent breakdowns and expensive repair bills. Proper duct sealing helps protect and extend the long-term lifespan of your HVAC system, minimizing the need for repeated maintenance.

Duct leaks can also introduce dust, mold spores, moisture, and additional contaminants into the duct system. This can worsen allergy flare-ups, reduce indoor air quality, and cause long-term structural deterioration behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC states that new homes must have duct systems sealed completely with energy-efficient products such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what happens when leaks are hidden deep inside walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To start this method, all vents are blocked except for one access location. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is attached to the ducts. It pressurizes the ducts and releases a fine aerosolized sealant that fills small gaps and holes that traditional sealing methods cannot reach.

This method works best for small to medium leaks. However, large openings usually require traditional manual sealing using mastic and tape. Technicians administer a duct leakage test prior to and following aerosol sealing to measure leakage changes and ensure the method was successful.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common area where ducts leak air is around the joints. Ductwork uses several metal parts pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, though these points are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system warms and cools over the seasons, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement gradually loosens the joints, creating leaks and gaps — highlighting the importance of duct leakage test in both new and older homes in Bayville, 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 was not sealed with mastic and approved tape, there’s a high likelihood that air is leaking.

What Is an Acceptable Amount of Duct Leakage per Energy Code?

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must remain below 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is missing. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be successfully passed before the home can obtain an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Bayville, NJ fails duct leakage test, you are probably spending unnecessarily on heating and cooling — and placing ongoing stress on your HVAC equipment. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is essential not only for code compliance but also for protecting your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

Your technician will also give professional advice on resolving leakage issues to help you achieve a passing score, cut down utility bills, and boost your home’s performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly serves customers throughout Bayville, NJ and surrounding 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.

The Duct Leakage Test Steps Explained

A duct leakage test begins with the technician sealing all ducts and registers using duct mask tape across the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we mount the duct tester onto the unit or onto a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. With the ducts at this pressure, we can use the nanometer to measure the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Bayville, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system stays energy-efficient, fully compliant, and operating at peak performance with accurate duct leakage test in Bayville, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner optimizing comfort or a contractor completing mandatory inspections, 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.

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