Duct Leakage Test in Pequannock, NJ

Enhance your HVAC system’s efficiency and satisfy energy regulations through precise duct leakage test in Pequannock, NJ. Our certified technicians measure and identify ductwork air leaks, assisting homeowners and builders in boosting comfort, limiting energy waste, and maintaining state compliance.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Pequannock, NJ

In most states and municipalities, the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code is required for single-family homes, while the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code is required for multi-family homes. The change will result in several substantial implications for home builders and HVAC contractors engaged in work across the state. A Duct Leakage Test as well as a Blower Door Test in newly constructed or remodeled homes is now required in accordance with the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are frequently the biggest contributors to home air loss 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 beneficial for all homes, new or old. Keep reading to find out why duct leakage test is essential and how it can improve your home.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To initiate a duct leakage test in Pequannock, NJ, your technician seals all supply and return registers, leaving only the main return or air handler open. A specially calibrated fan, known as a duct blaster, is then attached to the opening. The purpose of this fan is to depressurize the duct system, creating the ideal conditions to identify where air is escaping.

The duct blaster and its precision pressure sensor work together to measure airflow and detect duct leaks without causing any disruption in your home. A duct leakage test — also known as a duct blaster test — pinpoints where air is escaping from your ducts, helping you choose the best sealing methods.

duct leakage test is efficient, clean, and performed without bothering residents. Most tests in Pequannock, 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 assessed using cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to sense slight pressure changes, showing precisely how much air is escaping through the ductwork. Understanding this number helps you reveal problem areas, consider enhancement strategies, and validate that your home meets local energy code requirements in Pequannock, NJ.

Cost of Excessive Duct Leakage

If elevated utility bills, shifting temperatures, or repeated HVAC issues occur in your home, duct leakage may be the factor behind them. According to ENERGY STAR, the average home loses 20% to 30% of conditioned air through leaky ducts. Hot or cold air entering from outside increases the workload on your HVAC system, leading to higher energy bills and a drop in comfort.

Overworked equipment also creates more wear, leading to breakdowns and costly fixes. Proper duct sealing helps protect the long-term performance of your HVAC system, increasing its lifespan and lowering future maintenance requirements.

Duct leaks can also enable dust, mold spores, elevated moisture, and unwanted contaminants to infiltrate the duct system. This can trigger more severe allergies, diminish indoor air quality, and create expensive structural problems behind walls or ceilings over time.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC requires new homes to use fully sealed duct systems crafted from up-to-date, efficient materials such as mastic, foil tape, and insulation. But what about leaks located deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is one way to reach hidden openings inside 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 delicate aerosol sealant that settles into small gaps and holes traditional techniques 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 use a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to evaluate how much leakage has been lowered and verify the results.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common place for ducts to leak air is through the joints. Ductwork is made of multiple metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are rarely airtight.

As your HVAC system provides heating and cooling year-round, the ducts repeatedly expand and contract. Over time, this movement makes the joints loosen, forming gaps and leaks — meaning a duct leakage test is advised for both new and older homes in Pequannock, NJ.

Many energy auditors look for duct leakage by running their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to measure the width of gaps at the joints. If your duct system has not received sealing with mastic and approved tape, leakage is very probable.

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

To achieve a passing duct leakage result, your system needs to register under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler attached, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet without it attached. For new construction, the duct leakage test must be passed prior to the home being approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Pequannock, 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 necessary not only for meeting code standards but also for ensuring strong energy efficiency and indoor comfort.

Your technician will also give informed guidance on addressing leakage problems, enabling you to pass the test, reduce energy bills, and enhance your home’s performance.

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

Local Energy Audits proudly delivers services across Pequannock, NJ and the surrounding neighborhoods. We specialize in identifying and addressing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies using blower door tests and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re constructing a new home or optimizing an existing one, we’re here to help.
If you’d like to book 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 blocking all ducts and registers with duct mask tape across both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we attach the duct tester to either the unit itself or a main return.

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. At that point, the nanometer allows us to get an accurate duct leakage measurement.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Pequannock, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system delivers maximum efficiency, full compliance, and top performance through professional duct leakage test in Pequannock, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner addressing comfort issues or a contractor completing the last inspection step, our certified team ensures fast, accurate, and affordable testing.

We use industry-standard duct blaster equipment and deliver on-site guidance to help you pass your test, limit energy waste, and preserve your HVAC system’s long-term health.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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