Duct Leakage Test in Fort Lee, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently and meets local energy codes with professional duct leakage test in Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, NJ

States and municipalities now follow the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family residences, as well as the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family structures. The change will set in motion important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors who operate in 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 are one of the primary sources of air leakage in homes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can lead to rising energy bills, added strain on your HVAC system, and unwanted insulation and dust spreading through your home. This makes duct leakage test indispensable no matter the age of your home. Continue reading to understand why duct leakage test is important and the benefits it provides.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin performing a duct leakage test in Fort Lee, NJ, your technician closes off all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler system. A duct blaster — a precision-calibrated fan — is then fitted to the duct opening. By depressurizing the system, it makes all air leaks much easier to detect.

The duct blaster teams up with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow accurately and locate duct leaks without affecting your home. A duct leakage test — frequently called a duct blaster test — reveals air escape points in your ducts, guiding you toward the best sealing options.

duct leakage test is swift, clean, and carried out with no disturbance to residents. Most tests in Fort Lee, NJ are completed in just 30 to 60 minutes, while the benefits to comfort and efficiency can last long-term.

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 monitor tiny pressure fluctuations that indicate how much air is leaking through the ducts. Understanding this number allows you to pinpoint problem areas, assess needed improvements, and confirm whether your home satisfies local energy code requirements in Fort Lee, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you notice high energy costs, hot and cold spots, or ongoing HVAC repairs, duct leakage might be the underlying problem. According to ENERGY STAR, most households lose 20% to 30% of their heated or cooled air because of duct leaks. When outdoor temperatures enter your system, the HVAC must work harder to compensate, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced comfort.

Overworked equipment also leads to recurring breakdowns and higher repair expenses. Proper duct sealing helps enhance the long-term resilience of your HVAC system, lengthening its lifespan and cutting overall maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also introduce dust, mold spores, excess humidity, and other contaminants into the duct system. This can worsen allergy conditions, affect indoor air quality, and result in costly damage forming behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC specifies that newly constructed homes must use fully sealed duct systems with modern, 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) makes it possible to seal leaks found deep within the ductwork. To perform this method, all vents are sealed off except for one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and emits a fine aerosolized sealant designed to fill small leaks unreachable with standard sealing.

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 run leakage tests both before and after aerosol sealing to gauge how much air loss decreased and confirm proper results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common spot where air escapes in duct systems is the joints. Ductwork features several metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, though these areas are seldom airtight.

As your HVAC system warms and cools over the seasons, the ductwork expands and then 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 Fort Lee, 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 is unsealed with mastic and approved tape, air leakage is almost certainly occurring.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system should come out under 4 CFM per 100 square feet in tests with the air handler, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler. For new construction, builders must ensure the home passes a duct leakage test before an occupancy certificate is granted.

If your home in Fort Lee, 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 important not just for compliance, but for safeguarding your home’s comfort and long-term energy efficiency.

Your technician will also provide expert strategies to address leakage concerns, helping you achieve a passing score, bring down utility bills, and boost home efficiency.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Fort Lee, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly works with clients throughout Fort Lee, NJ and nearby locations. 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 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 with duct mask tape being placed on all ducts and registers on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we mount the duct tester onto the unit or onto a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to a Pascal of 25. With the ducts depressurized we can use the nanometer to get a reading of the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Fort Lee, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently, stays compliant, and performs at peak levels with certified duct leakage test in Fort Lee, 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 provide on-site assistance to help you pass your test, cut down on energy waste, and extend the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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