Blower Door Test in Gwynedd, PA

Confirm your home’s energy performance and identify leaks through accurate blower door test in Gwynedd, PA. Our certified experts assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in improving comfort, sealing leaks, and meeting PA energy code requirements.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is performed to record air changes per hour in buildings, confirming that fresh air regularly replaces stale indoor air. Too many air exchanges make heating and cooling systems work harder, increasing energy consumption and lowering efficiency. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in Gwynedd, PA helps pinpoint problem areas early, improving insulation performance, comfort, and home lifespan.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When blower door test in Gwynedd, PA is conducted, every exterior door and window is closed, and interior doors are left open to achieve uniform air movement inside. A central exterior door is used as the setup point, where an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are positioned. Once the frame is in place, a calibrated fan is used to bring the home’s pressure down to 50 Pascals — about the same as a 20 mph wind on the structure.

As air is drawn out by the fan, it causes outdoor air to infiltrate through existing leaks and gaps in the structure. Using a sensitive instrument known as a nanometer, we measure the fan’s pressure against the home’s internal pressure. The pressure data is turned into air changes per hour (ACH), a measure of how efficiently and tightly the home is sealed in PA.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Gwynedd, PA, homes generally must comply with the requirements of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer editions enforced by local authorities. In most jurisdictions, 3 air changes per hour or less is the benchmark for acceptable blower door test results and energy efficiency. Satisfying this requirement in your blower door test in Gwynedd, PA helps optimize energy use and ensures you meet local building standards.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA and several of its municipalities comply with the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), mandating blower door test for new or updated homes. We specialize in helping home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Gwynedd, PA to achieve energy code compliance and finalize inspections. A duct leakage test is often required whenever ducts or HVAC units are found outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in Gwynedd, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. A blower door test is quick to perform but offers a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy savings, and home efficiency across all PAclimates.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Employ an appropriate air barrier system such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and verify that each seam has been correctly taped.
  • Use properly rated insulation with the right R-value and ensure consistent coverage throughout 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.
  • Close any gaps connecting conditioned and unconditioned spaces, such as those leading to basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
  • Local code offices often issue compliance checklists — access the Philadelphia example here for reference.
  • Local Energy Audits is equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam to find and seal air leaks immediately on-site./li>
  • Over 90% of projects pass within two hours, and we immediately provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Gwynedd, PA

Before conducting blower door test in Gwynedd, PA, we make sure all heating, cooling, and ventilation fans are switched off. We continue with a walkthrough inspection to confirm every exterior door and window is firmly closed — especially those to unconditioned spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once preparation is complete, the blower door fan and frame are installed in a centrally located exterior door. The fan then reduces pressure to 50 Pascals, allowing accurate leakage assessment. After the pressure drops, outdoor air enters through gaps more noticeably, making leaks easier to identify. By employing a thermal imager, we detect heat loss by identifying temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces leading to unconditioned zones. Carrying chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, we work directly with homeowners or contractors to resolve visible air leakage issues during the visit. After sealing the leaks, we can immediately run another test to verify that the desired blower door score meets the local efficiency standards for homes in Gwynedd, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Gwynedd, PA

When contractors schedule blower door test in Gwynedd, PA, professionally insulated homes often only need minor adjustments that can be handled during the test. With tools such as chalk and spray foam, we can address small leaks or gaps without delay. In more than 90% of cases, we deliver a passing blower door test score within two hours and finalize all permit documentation immediately afterward.

Schedule Your blower door test in Gwynedd, PA

Rely on our expert team for accurate, efficient, and certified blower door test in Gwynedd, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading comfort or a contractor closing permits, we carry out each test with accuracy and in full compliance with energy regulations.