Duct Leakage Test in Plumsted township, NJ

Make sure your HVAC system performs at its best and satisfies local energy standards with certified duct leakage test in Plumsted township, NJ. Our certified technicians evaluate and measure air leaks in duct systems, helping homeowners and builders enhance comfort, decrease energy loss, and comply with state rules.

Why Duct Leakage Test is Important In Plumsted township, NJ

Across the country, states and municipalities enforce the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code for single-family buildings and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for multi-family buildings. The change will introduce meaningful implications for home builders and HVAC contractors active in 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 one of the primary sources of air leakage in homes throughout 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 critical for both modern and older homes. Continue reading to explore why duct leakage test is important and how you benefit from it.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To start the duct testing process in Plumsted township, NJ, the technician seals all supply and return registers except for the main return or the air handler. A duct blaster, designed as a calibrated testing fan, is then attached to the duct system. Its purpose is to depressurize the ducts and uncover leak points.

The duct blaster joins forces with a precision pressure sensor to monitor airflow and pinpoint leak points in the ducts without disturbing 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 rapid, clean, and performed without inconvenience to residents. Most tests in Plumsted township, 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 measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to measure tiny pressure changes, revealing how much air is escaping through the ducts. Understanding this number helps you identify problem areas, evaluate potential improvements, and determine whether your home meets local energy code requirements in Plumsted township, 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, typical duct systems lose 20% to 30% of conditioned air through leaks. When hot or cold outside air enters your system, your HVAC has to work harder, increasing energy costs and lowering overall comfort.

Overworked equipment also causes additional breakdowns and increases repair costs. 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 let dust, mold spores, moisture, and other pollutants enter 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 newly built homes to install fully sealed duct systems using advanced materials like mastic, foil tape, and quality insulation. But what if some leaks are hidden within the depths of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps seal hard-to-find openings within the duct system. To apply this method, every vent is sealed aside from one access point. The HVAC system is isolated, and a machine is connected to the ducts. It pressurizes the ducts and emits a fine aerosol sealant that fills tiny gaps and holes that standard 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 run a duct leakage test before and after aerosol sealing to quantify the reduction in leakage and verify the success of the process.

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 compromises the joints, forming gaps and leaks — which is exactly why duct leakage test is encouraged for new and older homes in Plumsted township, NJ.

Many energy auditors identify duct leakage by moving their hands along the ducts and using a small tool to check the width of joint openings. If your duct system is missing mastic and approved tape sealing, there’s a significant chance that air leakage is happening.

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, an occupancy certificate cannot be issued unless the home passes a duct leakage test.

If your home in Plumsted township, NJ fails its duct leakage test, you are likely facing inflated heating and cooling costs — along with increased strain on your HVAC system. Meeting the 3–4 CFM requirement is important not only for the inspector, but also for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Your technician will also share expert recommendations for fixing leakage problems, helping you achieve a passing score, save on utilities, and improve home performance.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Plumsted township, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly supports customers throughout Plumsted township, NJ and the areas nearby. We specialize in evaluating duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether you’re developing a new home or enhancing an older 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 with duct mask tape being placed on all ducts and registers on both the supply and return sides.

After the registers are sealed, we fasten the duct tester to the unit or to 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 Plumsted township, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system achieves strong efficiency, full compliance, and dependable operation with precise duct leakage test in Plumsted township, NJ. Whether you’re a homeowner optimizing comfort or a contractor completing mandatory inspections, 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 Plumsted township, NJ with dependable and energy-efficient testing solutions.