Duct Leakage Test in Burlington city, NJ

Improve HVAC performance and ensure energy code compliance with dependable duct leakage test in Burlington city, NJ. Our certified technicians locate and assess air leaks in ductwork to help homeowners and builders improve comfort, reduce energy consumption, and comply with state regulations.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Burlington city, NJ

Across different states and municipalities, the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code regulates single-family structures, and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code is used for multi-family structures. The change will create several important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors operating within the state. A Duct Leakage Test alongside a Blower Door Test must now be completed in newly constructed or remodeled homes to meet the 2015 regulatory standards. 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 your energy bills, strain your HVAC system, and spread insulation and dust throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test highly important for homes of any age. Read on to learn why duct leakage test matters and the benefits you can gain.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin performing a duct leakage test in Burlington city, NJ, your technician closes off all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler system. 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 operates alongside a precision pressure sensor to track airflow and identify duct leaks without disrupting your home. A duct leakage test — sometimes referred to as a duct blaster test — uncovers air leaks in your ductwork so you can determine the ideal sealing approach.

duct leakage test is efficient, clean, and performed without bothering residents. Most tests in Burlington city, NJ require only 30 to 60 minutes, yet the upgrades can improve your home’s comfort and efficiency well into the future.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of the home’s conditioned area. Your technician uses a nanometer to capture subtle pressure changes, allowing accurate measurement of duct air leakage. Understanding this number allows you to identify concerns, evaluate upgrade opportunities, and determine whether your home fulfills local energy code requirements in Burlington city, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If elevated utility bills, shifting temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues occur in your home, duct leakage may be the factor behind them. According to ENERGY STAR, homes with leaky ducts routinely lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air. If hot or cold air from outdoors enters your system, your HVAC works harder than necessary, causing energy costs to rise and comfort to fall.

Overworked equipment also creates more wear, leading to breakdowns and costly fixes. Proper duct sealing helps preserve the long-term efficiency of your HVAC system, boosting its lifespan and cutting down on regular maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also pull dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and various contaminants into the duct system. This can worsen allergy reactions, negatively affect indoor air quality, and contribute to costly hidden structural damage over the years.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires that all new homes feature fully sealed duct systems utilizing updated, energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To perform the technique, all vents are sealed except a single access opening. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is hooked into the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and sends out a fine aerosol mist that seals tiny openings traditional sealing cannot reach.

This method provides strong results for small and medium leaks. However, significant openings may still require mastic and tape by hand. Technicians run a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to quantify the reduction in leakage and verify the success of the process.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common location for air leakage in ducts is the joints. Ductwork includes several metal sections pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but those connections are almost never airtight.

As your HVAC system shifts between hot and cold cycles all year long, the ductwork expands and contracts. Over time, this movement leads the joints to loosen, resulting in gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test important for new and older homes in Burlington city, NJ.

Many energy auditors investigate duct leakage by running their hands over the ducts and using a small tool to determine the width of joint gaps. If your duct system lacks sealing with mastic and approved tape, there is a strong chance that leakage is present.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system is required to measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it isn’t installed. For new construction, obtaining an occupancy certificate requires passing a duct leakage test first.

If your home in Burlington city, NJ doesn’t receive a passing duct leakage result, you are likely overpaying for heating and cooling — and putting significant long-term strain on your HVAC setup. 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 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 Burlington city, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly covers Burlington city, NJ and all nearby towns. We specialize in measuring duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using advanced blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building new or improving old, 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 covering all ducts and registers with duct mask tape on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we link the duct tester to the unit or to one 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 Burlington city, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system reaches optimal efficiency, satisfies code standards, and performs smoothly with expert duct leakage test in Burlington city, 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 deliver on-site help to ensure you pass your test, lower energy waste, and maintain your HVAC system’s long-term reliability.

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