Blower Door Test in Berwyn, PA

Make sure your home meets airtightness and efficiency goals with certified blower door test in Berwyn, PA. Our certified professionals work with homeowners, builders, and contractors to uncover hidden air leaks and guarantee compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test determines the air changes per hour of a house or building, ensuring proper ventilation as old air cycles out and fresh air flows in. Too many air changes can negatively impact efficiency, as every replacement of indoor air demands additional heating or cooling energy. When too much air is exchanged, it can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and create conditions for moisture buildup and mold. A blower door test in Berwyn, PA allows early detection of air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost efficiency and maintain a comfortable, durable living environment.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When performing blower door test in Berwyn, PA, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. A central exterior door is used as the setup point, where an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are positioned. The mounted calibrated fan depressurizes the building to 50 Pascals, a condition similar to the effect of a 20 mph wind.

As the fan removes air, outside air naturally flows inside through leaks, joints, and other gaps. A nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. The collected data converts to air changes per hour (ACH), demonstrating how tightly sealed and efficient the home remains in PA climates.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Berwyn, PA, homes are designed to meet or exceed the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted standards. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. Achieving compliance in your blower door test in Berwyn, PA helps improve energy efficiency and meet all local code mandates.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA, along with its municipalities, observes the IECC requirements, mandating blower door test for newly constructed or updated homes. We routinely help home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Berwyn, PA for energy code compliance and permit closure. A duct leakage test requirement applies if ducts or HVAC units are positioned outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Berwyn, PA can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. A blower door test, typically lasting only a few hours, offers a long-lasting impact on your home’s performance, efficiency, and comfort across PA’ seasons.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use an air barrier system such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and verify that each seam is properly sealed with tape.
  • Use insulation that has the designated R-value and confirm it’s properly applied throughout the building envelope for maximum efficiency.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Seal all openings between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Many building departments provide step-by-step compliance guides — you can find the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits uses thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam to detect and seal leaks directly 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 Berwyn, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Berwyn, PA includes turning off the air conditioning, heating, and all exhaust fans to ensure accurate results. After that, we check the entire home to confirm all exterior doors and windows are tightly secured — even those leading to garages, unfinished basements, or other spaces outside the thermal envelope. After sealing the home, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior doorway. The fan depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals to provide accurate airflow and leakage readings. Once the structure is depressurized, outside air penetrates more actively, exposing any leaks and weak points. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. We carry all necessary materials, including chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, to collaborate with homeowners or contractors on visible air leakage repairs during testing. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Berwyn, PA efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Berwyn, PA

Professionally insulated homes tested by contractors during blower door test in Berwyn, PA can often address minor issues right on the spot. By applying materials such as chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps are often sealed on the spot. In over 90% of cases, we manage to secure a passing blower door test score within just two hours and immediately provide all necessary paperwork to close out the permit process.

Schedule Your blower door test in Berwyn, PA

Get professional-grade, efficient, and certified blower door test in Berwyn, PA handled by our experienced staff. Whether you’re improving a home’s efficiency or ensuring code compliance for a project, we perform every test with professionalism and attention to detail.