Duct Leakage Test in Bridgewater, NJ

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To kick off a duct leakage test in Bridgewater, NJ, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. 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, aided by a precision pressure sensor, accurately measures airflow and reveals duct leaks without interrupting activities in your home. A duct leakage test — sometimes labeled as a duct blaster test — finds where your ducts are leaking air so you can decide on the best sealing strategy.

duct leakage test is simple, clean, and minimally invasive for residents. Most tests in Bridgewater, 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 recorded in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the conditioned portion of the home. Your technician uses a nanometer to capture subtle pressure changes, allowing accurate measurement of duct air leakage. Understanding this number gives you insight into problem areas, helps you plan improvements, and ensures your home meets local energy code requirements in Bridgewater, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re struggling with expensive utility bills, inconsistent indoor temperatures, or continual HVAC problems, duct leakage might be the culprit. According to ENERGY STAR, an average home’s ductwork loses 20% to 30% of conditioned air through leaks. Hot or cold outside air leaking in makes your HVAC system work more than it should, driving up energy costs and diminishing comfort.

Overworked equipment also accelerates wear and tear, resulting in more breakdowns and costly repairs. Proper duct sealing helps support your HVAC system’s long-term operation, increasing its lifespan and lowering frequent maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also create openings for dust, mold spores, moisture, and various contaminants to enter the duct system. This can escalate allergies, lower the overall air quality indoors, and lead to costly damage behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires new homes to use fully sealed duct systems crafted from up-to-date, efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if the leaks you’re dealing with are deep inside the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) gives technicians a way to reach concealed duct leaks without opening walls or ceilings. To perform the process, technicians seal all vents but leave one access point open. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to 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 performs well for small and medium leaks. However, larger openings typically require manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians complete a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to track leakage reduction and confirm the treatment’s success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common leakage area in duct systems is the joints. Ductwork involves numerous metal parts pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are almost never fully airtight.

As your HVAC system adjusts temperatures throughout the year, the ducts go through expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement loosens the joints, causing gaps and leaks — which is why both new and older homes in Bridgewater, NJ should consider a duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors look for leaks by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to evaluate how wide the gaps at the joints are. If your duct system was never sealed using mastic and approved tape, there is a high probability that air leakage is present.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system should measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler installed. For new construction, an occupancy certificate cannot be issued unless the home passes a duct leakage test.

If your home in Bridgewater, 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 critical not just for code compliance, but also for defending your home’s comfort and energy performance.

Your technician will also share expert recommendations for fixing leakage problems, helping you achieve a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Bridgewater, NJ and neighboring areas. 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 book a test, call us during business hours or contact us online to request an appointment.