Duct Leakage Test in Egg Harbor, NJ

Ensure long-term HVAC performance and code compliance with expert duct leakage test in Egg Harbor, NJ. Our certified technicians inspect and measure air leakage in ductwork, enabling homeowners and builders to boost comfort, prevent energy waste, and adhere to state guidelines.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Egg Harbor, 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 carry significant implications for home builders and HVAC contractors serving communities in the state. A Duct Leakage Test along with a Blower Door Test is now required for any newly constructed or remodeled home as outlined in the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are responsible for a large share of air leakage issues in homes in 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 vital for homes both old and newly built. Keep reading to find out why duct leakage test matters and what benefits it provides.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To start a duct leakage test in Egg Harbor, NJ, the technician will close and seal every supply and return register except the main return or air handler. A specially calibrated fan, known as a duct blaster, is then attached to the opening. The purpose of this fan is to depressurize the duct system, creating the ideal conditions to identify where air is escaping.

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 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 fast, clean, and comfortable for residents throughout the process. Most tests in Egg Harbor, NJ are completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and the improvements can benefit your home’s comfort and efficiency for years.

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 evaluate small pressure shifts that signal air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number allows you to identify concerns, evaluate upgrade opportunities, and determine whether your home fulfills local energy code requirements in Egg Harbor, 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, the majority of homes lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. Hot or cold air entering from outside increases the workload on your HVAC system, leading to higher energy bills and a drop in comfort.

Overworked equipment also produces more frequent issues that require costly repairs. 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 trigger more severe allergies, diminish indoor air quality, and create expensive structural problems behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires newly built homes to install fully sealed duct systems using advanced materials like mastic, foil tape, and quality insulation. But what happens when air leaks are concealed deep in the walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps seal hard-to-find openings within the duct system. To implement this method, every vent is covered except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to 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 seals small to medium leaks effectively. However, large gaps may still call for 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 frequent point of air leakage in ductwork is the joints. Multiple metal parts are pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, although these junctions are seldom airtight.

As your HVAC system moves through annual heating and cooling cycles, the ductwork expands and then contracts. Over time, this movement leads to joint loosening, generating gaps and leaks — a clear reason duct leakage test is recommended for new and older homes in Egg Harbor, NJ.

Many energy auditors check for leaks by feeling along the ductwork and using a small tool to gauge the size of gaps between joints. If your duct system has not received sealing with mastic and approved tape, leakage is very probable.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system needs to measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet when the air handler is included, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it is not. For new construction, homes are required to pass a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate can be issued.

If your home in Egg Harbor, NJ cannot achieve a passing duct leakage score, you are likely wasting money on heating and cooling — and increasing wear on your HVAC system over time. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is needed not only for passing inspections, but also for improving home comfort and energy efficiency.

Your technician will also provide expert recommendations on how to address leakage issues so you can achieve a passing score, lower your utility bills, and improve your home’s overall performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Egg Harbor, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Egg Harbor, NJ and nearby locations. We specialize in evaluating duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re developing a new home or enhancing an older one, we’re here to help.
If you’d like to schedule 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 depressurized to 25 Pascals. With this pressure applied, we use the nanometer to measure how much leakage is present.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Egg Harbor, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system is operating efficiently, compliant with code, and performing optimally with high-quality duct leakage test in Egg Harbor, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on comfort or a contractor closing out an inspection, our certified team provides fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and offer on-site guidance to help you pass your test, reduce energy waste, and protect the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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