Quick answer: Volpe Service Company offers a free NCI-grade performance audit on residential HVAC systems in Northern New Jersey. We measure static pressure, airflow, refrigerant chemistry, and combustion (where applicable) using calibrated instruments and leave you a written System Operation Report. No obligation, no pressure, no upsell. The data is yours.
What you get
A free 60–90 minute on-site visit from an NCI-certified technician with:
- Static pressure measurement at the supply and return plenum
- Airflow (CFM) measurement at registers and returns
- Temperature split across the indoor coil or heat exchanger
- Refrigerant subcooling and superheat (cooling mode)
- Combustion analysis — CO, O₂, stack temperature, efficiency (gas equipment)
- Indoor humidity and temperature baseline
- Written System Operation Report comparing measured values to manufacturer specifications
The report is yours to keep. You can take it to another contractor for an independent review. You can use it to qualify for utility rebates that require measured performance. You can use it to refuse to pay for work that didn’t actually restore measured efficiency.
Why we offer it free
Volpe Service Company is built on long-term customer relationships, not one-shot service calls. We’ve been doing this in Northern New Jersey since 1963 — when our grandfather started the company. The free NCI audit is the entry point to a relationship: we’d rather give you the data and let you decide what to do next than try to upsell you on the first call.
Most of our long-tenured customers started with a single service visit or a free audit. They came back because we measured, we documented, and we recommended only what was justified by the measurements.
What happens during the audit
- Scheduling. A 60–90 minute slot, typically within a week of your call. Plan customers and existing customers get priority.
- Walkthrough. The technician identifies your equipment (make, model, serial), notes the visible installation conditions, and explains what’s about to happen.
- Setup. Calibrated instruments are deployed at the equipment.
- Measurement. Static pressure first (because it tells us most about whether the duct system is the issue), then airflow, then refrigerant chemistry, then combustion. Each measurement is recorded with the instrument’s calibration date.
- Report generation. Findings are documented while still on-site. You review the report with the technician.
- Conversation. What the readings mean for your equipment, your comfort, your energy cost. Recommendations ranked by impact and ranked by what’s safe to leave alone.
Total visit time: 60–90 minutes for a typical residential system. Larger or zoned systems run longer.
What to expect — and one honest caveat. Static pressure and airflow are tested and reviewed on every audit; they are the core of the protocol. Depending on the size and accessibility of your equipment, we may be limited in how much testing we can perform — tight attic air handlers, sealed rooftop access, or oversized commercial equipment can restrict which readings are practical. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you up front and document what we could measure.
What the report typically uncovers
Across thousands of Northern NJ residential audits, the findings cluster:
| Common finding | Typical fix | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| High static pressure (0.85+ in. w.c.) | Filter upgrade, return upsizing, duct rework | 15–35% capacity recovery |
| Low airflow at registers | Static pressure resolution, register adjustment, duct sealing | Comfort + efficiency |
| Refrigerant charge off | Add or recover refrigerant to spec | 8–20% efficiency recovery |
| Combustion drift (gas equipment) | Burner cleaning, gas pressure adjustment | Safety + 3–8% efficiency |
| Coil fouling | Professional coil cleaning | 10–20% efficiency recovery |
| Indoor coil ice-up risk | Charge correction, airflow correction | Prevents major failure |
Roughly two-thirds of audits surface findings that affect comfort, efficiency, or equipment longevity. Roughly one-third confirm the equipment is operating to spec and no intervention is needed — also valuable information.
What’s in the report (the deliverable)
A complete Volpe NCI System Operation Report includes:
- Equipment identification (make, model, serial, rated capacity)
- Each measured value with the instrument and date
- Manufacturer’s specification for each measured value
- Pass/fail flag per measurement (within spec, outside spec, critical)
- Photos of instrument readings (for documentation)
- Diagnosis and prioritized recommendation
- Estimated impact of each recommended fix
Printed copy left with you; digital copy emailed within 24 hours.
Why customers say it changes the conversation
Steven S.: “Mike was thorough, walked us through what every reading meant, and didn’t try to upsell. We knew exactly what we were paying for.”
William Z.: “I’d been told by two other companies I needed a new system. Volpe measured the static pressure, showed me on the meter what the readings meant, and told me my returns were the problem. They added a return drop and the original system has worked perfectly for three years.”
Jonathan T.: “The level of professionalism and attention to detail was unmatched. Rick personally followed up after the install.”
The pattern repeats: customers who had been told they needed expensive replacement work get measured data showing the actual problem (often less expensive). The trust that builds from honest measurement is what makes us a long-term-relationship business rather than a one-call business.
Eligibility
Free NCI Performance Audit is offered on:
- Residential HVAC systems in Northern NJ (Morris and Essex County corridor — see our service area list)
- Existing equipment of any age and any brand
- Single-family homes (multi-zone, ductless, and commercial systems may have separate pricing — call to confirm)
One free audit per residential address. No purchase required. No follow-up sales call unless you ask for one.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really no cost?
Yes. There’s no audit fee, no service-call fee, no diagnostic fee. The visit is genuinely free.
What if you find expensive problems?
We document them, rank them by impact, and quote remediation if you ask. We don’t pressure-sell during or after the audit. You decide what to do, on your timeline, with us or with another contractor.
Can I take the report to another contractor?
Yes — that’s part of the point. The report is portable measured evidence. A reputable second-opinion contractor will look at the readings and either confirm or challenge the diagnosis. That’s how the market is supposed to work.
Do you offer the audit on commercial properties?
Commercial properties are typically quoted on a per-system basis. Multi-unit property managers should ask about the Commercial Property Manager Priority Partner Program which often includes performance auditing as part of the relationship.
How fast can you get to my house?
Typical scheduling: 3–7 days from initial call. Faster during shoulder seasons (spring, fall) when demand is lower. Plan customers and existing customers get priority.
Ready to know what your HVAC actually does?
Call or request online. We’ll book the audit, bring the instruments, leave the report. You decide what comes next.
Call (973) 386-1606 or request your free NCI Performance Audit.
Last updated: 2026-06-22
Author: Rick Fenn · Owner, Volpe Service Company
Published: · Last updated: