Duct Leakage Test in Brooklawn borough, NJ

Ensure long-term HVAC performance and code compliance with expert duct leakage test in Brooklawn borough, 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 Brooklawn borough, NJ

States and municipalities have standardized around the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family builds and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family builds. The change will result in several substantial implications for home builders and HVAC contractors engaged in work across 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 ducts often contribute significantly to air leakage problems in homes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can drive up energy bills, put extra stress on your HVAC system, and circulate dust and insulation throughout your living space. 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 kick off a duct leakage test in Brooklawn borough, NJ, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. A duct blaster, designed as a calibrated testing fan, is then attached to the duct system. Its purpose is to depressurize the ducts and uncover leak points.

The duct blaster works in sync with a precision pressure sensor to assess airflow and find duct leaks without disturbing your living space. 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 prompt, clean, and does not interrupt residents’ activities. Most tests in Brooklawn borough, 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 specified in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for each 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to detect pressure variations, helping quantify the amount of duct leakage. Understanding this number helps you pinpoint leakage points, think through potential improvements, and verify your home’s adherence to local energy code requirements in Brooklawn borough, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your utility bills keep climbing, temperatures vary from room to room, or your HVAC needs constant fixing, duct leakage may be the cause. According to ENERGY STAR, duct leakage causes homeowners to lose 20%–30% of their conditioned air on average. Outside hot or cold air leaking into your system puts extra strain on your HVAC unit, raising energy bills and decreasing 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 heighten allergy issues, compromise indoor air quality, and slowly cause expensive structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires all newly constructed homes to have fully sealed ductwork with modern, energy-saving materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what happens when air leaks are concealed deep in the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) provides a way to seal concealed openings inside the duct system. To apply this method, every vent is sealed aside from one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the ducts. It pressurizes the ducts and applies a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny openings where standard sealing cannot reach.

This method works very well for small to medium leaks. However, larger openings may still need to be sealed manually with mastic and tape. Technicians use a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to evaluate how much leakage has been lowered and verify the results.

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 delivers heat and cooling across different seasons, the ducts constantly expand and contract. 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 Brooklawn borough, 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 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 needs to register under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler attached, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without it attached. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be successfully passed before the home can obtain an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Brooklawn borough, NJ does not meet duct leakage standards, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and adding unnecessary strain to your HVAC equipment. 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 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 Brooklawn borough, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly provides service to homeowners and builders throughout Brooklawn borough, NJ and the surrounding region. 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 ensuring all ducts and registers are sealed with duct mask tape on both the supply and return sides.

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

The ducts are then depressurized to exactly 25 Pascals. Once this is achieved, the nanometer is used to read the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Brooklawn borough, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system maintains strong efficiency, meets code requirements, and performs reliably with trusted duct leakage test in Brooklawn borough, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner enhancing indoor comfort or a contractor finishing a final inspection, our certified team offers 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 Brooklawn borough, NJ with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.