Duct Leakage Test In Passaic County, NJ
It’s important for New Jersey contractors to understand where the requirements for a duct leakage test come from. The source is based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) which mandates duct leakage testing primarily to enhance energy efficiency in buildings. The IECC is a non-profit that establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for new construction. According to the code R403.3.5 duct pressure must be tested during the “rough construction” stage and the “post construction” stage.
Amid the construction there are numerous opportunities for the duct work to get punctured that can negatively impact the HVAC’s performance. It’s all too common that a worker can accidentally misalign a vent or even puncture a duct amidst the construction chaos. The IECC requirement of checking duct pressure both before and after construction is accepted by most local municipalities including Passaic County, New Jersey.
Why Would Air Leak After New Construction?
Let’s assume that you have hired the best workers for residential or commercial construction. During the duct and vent installation joints can loosen or not be sealed properly. Air will escape the duct work at any given moment and the only way to ensure that it’s not doing so is by conducting a duct leakage test. Contractors should inspect the duct work and establish that joints line up and mastic sealant is applied for optimal airtightness. Sometimes the sealing will be done with good old fashion duct tape. The problem is not the method of sealing, it’s the quality of tape being used.
Lower quality duct tape will eventually erode and can be easily removed like picking up a toothpick. High quality aluminum foil tape will bond to the duct connectors for a flawless seal to prevent unwanted duct leakage.
What External Factor Could Result In Poor Air Flow?
Even in new construction there is the potential for unwanted elements to get into the ductwork. Keep in mind there have been months and sometime years of construction work that has produced loads of saw dust and debris. Those unwanted elements can end up inside the duct work leading to a blockage. Once these external items end up inside the ducts it will negatively impact the air flow leading to a poor performance on a duct leakage test. With each obstruction there is a buildup of air pressure not allowing the HVAC system to disperse the air properly throughout the living space.
Since the duct leakage test measures both pressure and air flow, higher pressure may mean there is a blockage inside the duct while poor air flow may be the result of a leaky duct. Passing a duct leakage test in Passaic County, NJ will depend on the type of construction; so verify local building codes for requirements. Each municipality may have their own recommendation for what is expected for duct leakage test results..
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