Duct Leakage Test in Englewood, NJ

Guarantee your HVAC system runs efficiently and adheres to local requirements with quality duct leakage test in Englewood, NJ. Our certified technicians pinpoint and measure ductwork air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost comfort, cut energy waste, and meet state compliance standards.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Englewood, NJ

States and municipalities commonly implement the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family dwellings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family residences. The change will lead to several key implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working across 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 ducts are a leading factor in home air leakage 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 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 conduct a proper duct leakage test in Englewood, NJ, your technician first seals all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler. A duct blaster, which is a specially calibrated fan, is then installed at the opening. The fan depressurizes the ducts, helping identify all points where air may be escaping.

The duct blaster pairs with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow and identify leak locations in the ducts without disrupting your home. A duct leakage test — often referred to as a duct blaster test — identifies air loss in your ducts, allowing you to find the most effective ways to seal them.

duct leakage test is easy, clean, and unobtrusive for residents in the home. Most tests in Englewood, NJ are completed in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting enhancements can support your home’s comfort and efficiency long-term.

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 monitor tiny pressure fluctuations that indicate how much air is leaking through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect inefficiencies, assess needed upgrades, and ensure your home complies with local energy code requirements in Englewood, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your home suffers from costly utility bills, uneven comfort levels, or persistent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be contributing. According to ENERGY STAR, duct leakage causes homeowners to lose 20%–30% of their conditioned air on average. Outside air that’s too hot or too cold entering your system strains your HVAC, resulting in higher energy consumption and less comfort.

Overworked equipment also creates more wear, leading to breakdowns and costly fixes. Proper duct sealing helps strengthen the long-term function of your HVAC system, improving its lifespan and reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

Duct leaks can also let in dust, mold spores, added moisture, and other harmful contaminants. This can amplify allergy problems, impact air quality indoors, and slowly create costly structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC ensures that new homes are built with duct systems sealed entirely using efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what if leaks are concealed deep inside the structure of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To conduct this method, all vents are blocked except for one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and releases a fine sealant mist that finds and fills small holes that traditional sealing methods cannot access.

This method is ideal for small to medium leaks. However, any large openings will still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians carry out a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to assess how much leakage has improved and ensure the treatment was effective.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most usual area for air leakage in ducts is at the joints. Ductwork includes various metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are hardly ever airtight.

As your HVAC system provides heating and cooling year-round, the ducts repeatedly expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes the joints to loosen, opening gaps and leaks — making a duct leakage test beneficial for both new and older homes in Englewood, NJ.

Many energy auditors verify duct leakage by feeling around the ducts and using a small tool to assess the opening size at the joints. 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 has to measure below 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, homes are required to pass a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate can be issued.

If your home in Englewood, NJ is unable to pass a duct leakage test, you are probably spending too much on heating and cooling — while your HVAC equipment endures long-term stress. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is important not just for compliance, but for safeguarding your home’s comfort and long-term energy efficiency.

Your technician will also offer professional recommendations to tackle leakage issues so you can secure a passing score, reduce utility costs, and strengthen home performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly serves homeowners, contractors, and builders throughout Englewood, NJ and nearby regions. We specialize in revealing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door and duct leakage test. Whether your project is new or existing, we’re here to assist.
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 taping off all ducts and registers with duct mask tape on the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we install the duct tester on the unit or on a main return.

The ducts are then set to a depressurized pressure of 25 Pascals. Once there, we use the nanometer to capture the leakage reading.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Englewood, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system remains efficient, code-compliant, and functioning optimally with skilled duct leakage test in Englewood, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for improved comfort or a contractor preparing for a final 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, improve energy efficiency, and safeguard your HVAC system’s long-term health.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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