Duct Leakage Test in Ventnor city, NJ

How a Duct Leakage Test Is Conducted

To kick off a duct leakage test in Ventnor city, NJ, your technician will block all supply and return registers while keeping the main return or air handler accessible. A specially calibrated fan known as a duct blaster is then put in place at the opening. It depressurizes the ductwork so escaping air can be accurately identified.

The duct blaster operates alongside a precision pressure sensor to track airflow and identify duct leaks without disrupting 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 fast, debris-free, and completely resident-friendly. Most tests in Ventnor city, NJ are completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and the improvements can benefit your home’s comfort and efficiency for years.

How to Measure Duct Leakage

Duct leakage is specified in cubic feet per minute (CFM) for each 100 square feet of conditioned space. Your technician uses a nanometer to register small pressure differences, which help calculate how much air is leaking from 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 Ventnor city, 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 duct system loses between 20% and 30% of its conditioned air due to leaks. Hot or cold outside air creeping into your system forces the HVAC to work inefficiently, increasing energy spending and reducing comfort.

Overworked equipment also causes components to fail more often, leading to costly repairs. 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 make allergies worse, impact indoor air quality, and result in costly structural damage behind walls or ceilings as time passes.

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 if leaks are concealed deep inside the structure of your walls or ceilings?

Aerosol sealing technology (AeroSeal) helps seal hard-to-find openings within 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 releases a fine sealant mist that finds and fills small holes that traditional sealing methods cannot access.

This method works best for small to medium leaks. However, large openings usually require traditional manual sealing using 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 point where ducts leak air is along the joints. Ductwork is made from multiple metal pieces pressed together with tight fittings and metal bands, but these connections are rarely completely airtight.

As your HVAC system operates in varying temperatures across the year, the ducts undergo expansion and contraction. Over time, this movement gradually loosens the joints, creating leaks and gaps — highlighting the importance of duct leakage test in both new and older homes in Ventnor city, NJ.

Many energy auditors locate duct leakage by touching the ductwork and using a small tool to measure the width of separation between joints. 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 is required to measure under 4 CFM per 100 square feet with the air handler installed, or 3 CFM per 100 square feet when it isn’t installed. For new construction, you must pass a duct leakage test before the home can be approved for an occupancy certificate.

If your home in Ventnor city, NJ is unable to pass a duct leakage test, you are probably spending too much on heating and cooling — while your HVAC equipment endures long-term stress. 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 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 Ventnor city, NJ

Local Energy Audits proudly offers services throughout Ventnor city, NJ and neighboring areas. We specialize in locating duct leakage and energy inefficiencies with our blower door and duct leakage tests. Whether it’s a new build or an existing home, 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.