Duct Leakage Test in Laurel Springs borough, NJ

Ensure long-term HVAC performance and code compliance with expert duct leakage test in Laurel Springs borough, 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 Laurel Springs borough, 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 bring notable implications for home builders and HVAC contractors working throughout the state. A Duct Leakage Test together with a Blower Door Test must now be performed in all newly built or remodeled homes to comply with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that duct leakage is one of the most common issues affecting homes in 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 necessary for homeowners with either older or newly built homes. Read ahead to see why duct leakage test is important and what you gain from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate a duct leakage test in Laurel Springs borough, NJ, your technician seals all supply and return registers, leaving only the main return or air handler open. A calibrated duct blaster fan is then mounted to the opening. This fan creates negative pressure inside the ducts, making air leakage locations easier to find.

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 — also referred to as a duct blaster test — highlights where air is leaking from your ducts to help you choose the proper sealing method.

duct leakage test is straightforward, clean, and designed to be non-intrusive for residents. Most tests in Laurel Springs borough, NJ take between 30 and 60 minutes, and the improvements they deliver can elevate comfort and efficiency for years ahead.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is measured using cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area. Your technician uses a nanometer to measure tiny pressure changes, revealing how much air is escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you pinpoint leakage points, think through potential improvements, and verify your home’s adherence to local energy code requirements in Laurel Springs borough, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you are experiencing high utility bills, uneven temperatures, or frequent HVAC repairs, duct leakage may be the cause. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. Air from outside—whether hot or cold—entering your system forces your HVAC to work harder, increasing utility bills and reducing indoor comfort.

Overworked equipment also leads to recurring breakdowns and higher repair expenses. Proper duct sealing helps keep your HVAC system healthy over the long run, prolonging its lifespan and lowering continued maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also let dust, mold spores, moisture, and other pollutants enter the duct system. This can worsen allergies, reduce indoor air quality, and even cause expensive structural damage behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC outlines that new homes must be built with fully sealed duct systems, utilizing materials like mastic, foil tape, and insulation to enhance energy efficiency. But what about leaks that are hidden far behind walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) offers a method to access hidden leaks deep within ductwork. To carry out the procedure, technicians seal off all vents except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is linked to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and distributes an ultra-fine aerosol sealant to fill small gaps and holes that manual sealing methods can’t access.

This method is ideal for small to medium leaks. However, any large openings will still need manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians test the ducts for leakage before and after aerosol sealing to determine the reduction level and verify success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common area where ducts leak air is around the joints. Ductwork uses several metal parts pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, though these points are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system delivers heat and cooling across different seasons, the ducts constantly expand and contract. Over time, this movement weakens the joints, creating gaps and leaks — a key reason duct leakage test is recommended for new and older homes in Laurel Springs borough, NJ.

Many energy auditors evaluate duct leakage by feeling around the duct system and using a small tool to check the size 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 should measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without the air handler installed. For new construction, the home must pass a duct leakage test before qualifying for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Laurel Springs borough, 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 specialized recommendations to repair leakage issues so you can meet passing requirements, reduce utility bills, and improve your home’s performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Laurel Springs borough, NJ

Local Energy Audits is proud to assist customers across Laurel Springs borough, NJ and its surrounding communities. We specialize in identifying duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re building a new home or improving an existing 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 sealing all the ducts and registers with duct mask tape on both the supply and return side.

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

The ducts are then lowered to a depressurized level of 25 Pascals. With the system at that pressure, the nanometer is used to read the duct leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Laurel Springs borough, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system achieves strong efficiency, full compliance, and dependable operation with precise duct leakage test in Laurel Springs borough, 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 hands-on guidance to help you pass your test, reduce wasted energy, and ensure the long-term health of your HVAC system.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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