Duct Leakage Test in New Milford, NJ

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To conduct a proper duct leakage test in New Milford, NJ, your technician first seals all supply and return registers except the main return or air handler. 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 works together with a precision pressure sensor to measure airflow and pinpoint leaks in the ductwork without disturbing your home. A duct leakage test — sometimes identified as a duct blaster test — shows where your ducts lose air, helping you plan the right sealing approach.

duct leakage test is prompt, clean, and does not interrupt residents’ activities. Most tests in New Milford, NJ are wrapped up in 30 to 60 minutes, with improvements that continue to boost comfort and efficiency for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is tracked in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned living area. Your technician uses a nanometer to pick up minor pressure shifts that indicate the level of air leakage within the ducts. Understanding this number helps you uncover weak points, analyze opportunities for upgrades, and check whether your home follows local energy code requirements in New Milford, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If your utility bills keep climbing, temperatures vary from room to room, or your HVAC needs constant fixing, duct leakage may be the cause. According to ENERGY STAR, leaking ducts cause the average home to lose 20%–30% of conditioned air. Outside hot or cold air leaking into your system puts extra strain on your HVAC unit, raising energy bills and decreasing comfort.

Overworked equipment also results in more frequent breakdowns and expensive repair bills. 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, moisture, and additional contaminants into the duct system. This can irritate allergies, harm the air quality inside, and cause expensive hidden structural damage as time goes on.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC instructs that new homes incorporate fully sealed duct systems using high-efficiency materials, including mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what happens when leaks are hidden deep inside walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) makes it possible to seal leaks found deep within the ductwork. 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 distributes an ultra-fine aerosol sealant to fill small gaps and holes that manual sealing methods can’t access.

This method seals small to medium leaks effectively. However, large gaps may still call for manual sealing using 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 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 adjusts temperatures throughout the year, the ducts go through expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement shifts and loosens the joints, resulting in gaps and leaks — which is why all homes in New Milford, NJ, new or older, benefit from duct leakage test.

Many energy auditors inspect duct leakage by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to determine how wide the gaps are between joints. If your duct system hasn’t been sealed with mastic and approved tape, there is a strong likelihood that leakage is happening.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system must measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler in place, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is not installed. For new construction, the home must pass a duct leakage test before qualifying for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in New Milford, NJ cannot pass a duct leakage test, you are likely wasting money on heating and cooling — and causing long-term wear on your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is fundamental not only for code adherence but for boosting your home’s long-term efficiency and comfort.

Your technician will also recommend effective ways to fix leakage issues so you can earn a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in New Milford, NJ

Local Energy Audits is proud to serve families and builders across New Milford, NJ and the surrounding local areas. 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.