Duct Leakage Test in Oaklyn, NJ

Protect system efficiency and meet local building codes by choosing certified duct leakage test in Oaklyn, NJ. Our certified technicians locate and quantify air leaks in duct systems so homeowners and builders can enhance comfort, lower energy loss, and comply with state regulations.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Oaklyn, NJ

Various states and municipalities have adopted the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family houses, along with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family units. The change will produce important implications for home builders and HVAC contractors functioning within the state. A Duct Leakage Test and a required Blower Door Test are now part of the compliance process for new construction and remodeled homes under the 2015 regulations. Did you know that duct leakage is one of the top reasons for air loss in homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can result in higher utility costs, extra load on your HVAC system, and dust and insulation traveling throughout your home. This makes duct leakage test essential for both new and older homes. Continue reading to understand why duct leakage test matters and how it can benefit you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To begin the process of a duct leakage test in Oaklyn, NJ, your technician seals off all supply and return registers apart from the main return or air handler. A specially calibrated fan called a duct blaster is then connected to the opening. This fan depressurizes the duct system, making it easier to pinpoint exactly where air is leaking.

The duct blaster operates alongside a precision pressure sensor to track airflow and identify duct leaks without disrupting your home. A duct leakage test — often known as a duct blaster test — exposes duct air loss, allowing you to apply the most effective sealing techniques.

duct leakage test is quick, neat, and intentionally non-intrusive for anyone living in the home. Most tests in Oaklyn, NJ finish in 30 to 60 minutes, and the upgrades continue benefiting your home’s comfort and efficiency long after.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is defined in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space within the structure. Your technician uses a nanometer to evaluate small pressure shifts that signal air escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you detect inefficiencies, assess needed upgrades, and ensure your home complies with local energy code requirements in Oaklyn, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If you’re facing higher energy bills, uneven heating or cooling, or recurring HVAC repairs, duct leakage could be to blame. According to ENERGY STAR, a large portion of homes lose between 20% and 30% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. If hot or cold air from outdoors enters your system, your HVAC works harder than necessary, causing energy costs to rise and comfort to fall.

Overworked equipment also makes breakdowns more common and repairs more expensive. Proper duct sealing helps support the long-term durability of your HVAC system, lengthening its lifespan and minimizing ongoing maintenance demands.

Duct leaks can also bring dust, mold spores, excess moisture, and other impurities into the duct system. This can heighten allergy issues, compromise indoor air quality, and slowly cause expensive structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC calls for new homes to include duct systems that are completely sealed using efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what should you do when leaks are located deep within your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) enables effective sealing of leaks hidden inside ducts. To initiate this method, technicians seal every vent except one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the ductwork. It pressurizes the ducts and sends out a fine aerosol mist that seals tiny openings traditional sealing cannot reach.

This method is highly effective for small to medium leaks. However, large openings may still require manual sealing with mastic and tape. Technicians complete a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to track leakage reduction and confirm the treatment’s success.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most typical location for air to escape from ducts is at the joints. Duct systems are built from multiple metal pieces pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these joints are seldom completely airtight.

As your HVAC system operates in both heating and cooling modes year-round, the ducts continuously expand and contract. Over time, this movement causes the joints to loosen, creating gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is recommended for both new and older homes in Oaklyn, NJ.

Many energy auditors look for leaks by feeling the ducts and using a small tool to evaluate how wide the gaps at the joints are. 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 must show under 4 CFM per 100 square feet if the air handler is installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet if it is not. For new construction, a duct leakage test must be successfully passed before the home can obtain an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Oaklyn, NJ doesn’t achieve a passing duct leakage score, you’re likely overspending on heating and cooling — and putting extended strain on your HVAC unit. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is essential not only for following building code, but for keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient.

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 Oaklyn, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Oaklyn, NJ and neighboring 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.

The Duct Leakage Test Steps Explained

A duct leakage test begins with sealing each duct and register using duct mask tape on 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 until they reach 25 Pascals. With them depressurized, the nanometer measures the amount of leakage.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Oaklyn, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system remains efficient, code-compliant, and functioning optimally with skilled duct leakage test in Oaklyn, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming for better comfort or a contractor completing final approval, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

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

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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