Duct Leakage Test in Saddle Brook, NJ

Keep your HVAC system energy-efficient and up to code with accurate duct leakage test in Saddle Brook, 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 Saddle Brook, NJ

Across many states and municipalities, the 2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code applies to single-family homes, while the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code governs multi-family buildings. The change will create considerable implications for home builders and HVAC contractors carrying out projects in the state. A Duct Leakage Test and the mandated Blower Door Test apply to all new or renovated homes under the 2015 regulations. Did you know that ducts are among the biggest contributors to air leakage in homes all across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware? Leaked air can escalate your energy costs, force your HVAC system to work harder, and move insulation and dust throughout your house. This makes duct leakage test a crucial step for maintaining comfort in new and old homes alike. Continue reading to learn why duct leakage test is valuable and how it benefits you.

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How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To set up a duct leakage test in Saddle Brook, NJ, the technician begins by sealing all supply and return registers, leaving only the air handler or main return open. A duct blaster fan, carefully calibrated for accuracy, is then attached to the duct opening. It depressurizes the ductwork, allowing leaks to become more noticeable.

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 — often referred to as a duct blaster test — identifies air loss in your ducts, allowing you to find the most effective ways to seal them.

duct leakage test is fast, debris-free, and completely resident-friendly. Most tests in Saddle Brook, NJ are done in about 30 to 60 minutes, and the resulting enhancements can support your home’s comfort and efficiency for many years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is reported in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per 100 square feet of conditioned home area. Your technician uses a nanometer to identify subtle pressure differences, helping determine how much air is leaking from the ducts. Understanding this number allows you to highlight problem zones, explore improvement possibilities, and confirm compliance with local energy code requirements in Saddle Brook, 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. If outdoor hot or cold air infiltrates your system, your HVAC struggles to maintain temperatures, raising energy costs and lowering comfort.

Overworked equipment also creates more wear, leading to breakdowns and costly fixes. Proper duct sealing helps preserve the long-term efficiency of your HVAC system, boosting its lifespan and cutting down on regular maintenance needs.

Duct leaks can also permit dust, mold spores, extra moisture, and other airborne contaminants into the duct system. This can intensify allergy symptoms, harm indoor air quality, and cause long-term structural damage behind walls or ceilings.

How to Properly Seal Ductwork in an Old Home

The 2015 IRC/IECC mandates fully sealed duct systems in new homes, made from energy-efficient materials like mastic, foil tape, and proper insulation. But what do you do about leaks that sit deep within walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) is designed to reach and seal hidden gaps throughout the duct system. To carry out this method, every vent is sealed except a single access point. The HVAC system is separated, and a machine is attached to the duct system. It pressurizes the ducts and sends a fine aerosol sealant through the system, closing small gaps that normal sealing approaches can’t 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 before-and-after duct leakage tests to measure leakage reduction and ensure the aerosol sealing was effective.

Common Areas of Duct Leakage

The most common spot where air escapes in duct systems is the joints. Ductwork features several metal pieces pressed together using tight fittings and metal bands, though these areas are seldom airtight.

As your HVAC system adjusts temperatures throughout the year, the ducts go through expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement makes joints shift and loosen, forming gaps and leaks — which is why a duct leakage test is advised for homes old and new in Saddle Brook, 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 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 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, a passing duct leakage test is a required step before final occupancy certification can be awarded.

If your home in Saddle Brook, NJ does not pass its duct leakage inspection, you’re likely paying higher heating and cooling bills — and stressing your HVAC system over time. 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 advise you on the best ways to address leakage issues so you can pass the test, reduce utility bills, and enhance your home’s efficiency.

Local Energy Audits — affordable duct leakage test in Saddle Brook, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly provides solutions to customers throughout Saddle Brook, NJ and surrounding regions. We specialize in diagnosing duct leakage and energy inefficiencies through blower door and duct leakage test. Whether your home is new or existing, we’re ready 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 all ducts and registers being sealed using duct mask tape on the supply and return sides.

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

The ducts are then depressurized to 25 Pascals. With this pressure applied, we use the nanometer to measure how much leakage is present.

Schedule Your Duct Leakage Test in Saddle Brook, NJ

Ensure your HVAC system maintains strong efficiency, meets code requirements, and performs reliably with trusted duct leakage test in Saddle Brook, 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 practical on-site guidance to help you pass your test, decrease energy waste, and preserve your HVAC system’s long-term condition.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Request a Quote

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