Blower Door Test in Oaks, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in Oaks, PA. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with PA building energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is conducted to assess air changes per hour inside a home or structure, ensuring the right balance between air leakage and fresh airflow. Frequent air replacement can harm energy performance, as each exchange requires reheating or recooling the air. Excessive air leakage can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and contribute to issues like condensation, moisture, and mold inside the home. A blower door test in Oaks, PA finds air leakage problems early, allowing better energy efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort for homeowners.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

During blower door test in Oaks, PA, exterior openings are closed securely, and interior doors are left open to maintain even air circulation across the house. One main exterior door is identified, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric panel is securely attached. Technicians use a calibrated fan mounted on the frame to bring the home’s interior to 50 Pascals, approximating a 20 mph wind on the walls.

As the fan extracts air, exterior air begins entering the house through any unsealed spaces or cracks. Using an advanced nanometer, we evaluate the pressure difference between the fan system and the home’s interior environment. These figures are calculated into air changes per hour (ACH), reflecting how well the home prevents air loss and maintains efficiency in PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Oaks, PA, residential buildings must meet the benchmarks set by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer codes adopted locally. For most regions, achieving 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test ensures that the home is properly energy efficient. Meeting this requirement during your blower door test in Oaks, PA helps reduce energy costs while keeping your home compliant with local building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Across PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is adopted by the state and local jurisdictions, requiring blower door test on residential constructions and renovations. Our certified technicians assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Oaks, PA to meet energy requirements and wrap up permit approvals. You might also need a duct leakage test if HVAC systems or ducts are positioned outside the property’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Oaks, PA can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. A short blower door test can result in a long-lasting impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and year-round performance in PA.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Select a proper air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and ensure every seam is thoroughly taped for airtight sealing.
  • Use insulation of the correct R-value and confirm that it’s tightly installed throughout every section of the building envelope.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Ensure complete sealing of all openings between conditioned rooms and unconditioned areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits identifies and repairs leaks on-site using thermal imaging tools, caulk, and high-quality spray foam./li>
  • Over 90% of cases result in a passing score within two hours, along with complete permit documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Oaks, PA

Getting ready for blower door test in Oaks, PA involves turning off all heating, cooling, and exhaust ventilation systems. Next, we do a complete walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are sealed — including those opening to garages, unfinished basements, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. When the home reaches negative pressure, outside air infiltrates through openings, making leaks visible. With a thermal imager, we identify cold or warm spots in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that reveal air leakage into unconditioned spaces. Equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we can directly assist homeowners or contractors in resolving visible air leakage problems on-site. Once leaks are addressed, we perform another test to confirm the desired blower door score and verify compliance with local efficiency regulations in Oaks, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Oaks, PA

For contractors arranging blower door test in Oaks, PA, most homes with professional insulation can handle small air leakage issues during the test itself. With efficient sealing products such as chalk and spray foam, minor air leaks can often be fixed immediately. In over 90% of cases, our team achieves a passing blower door test score within just two hours and provides the documentation required to close the permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Oaks, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Oaks, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking better efficiency or a contractor finalizing a build, we ensure every test aligns perfectly with energy code standards.