Blower Door Test in Elkins Park, PA

Test your home’s air barriers and meet energy regulations through dependable blower door test in Elkins Park, PA. Our qualified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting air leaks, optimizing comfort, and maintaining compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is performed to identify the rate of air changes per hour, confirming your home receives a healthy exchange of fresh air. When air changes occur too frequently, the heating or cooling system must work harder to stabilize temperatures, increasing energy use and lowering efficiency. Too many air changes can create drafts and discomfort due to leaks and may also lead to condensation, moisture buildup, and mold growth indoors. A blower door test in Elkins Park, PA locates leaks and inefficiencies quickly, allowing homeowners to enhance energy performance and create a cozier living space.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When conducting blower door test in Elkins Park, PA, technicians close all exterior doors and windows and keep interior doors open for consistent air movement. A single central exterior door is designated, where the blower door’s aluminum frame and fabric panel are set up. A calibrated fan is installed onto the frame, creating a pressure difference of 50 Pascals, comparable to a continuous 20 mph wind blowing on the home.

When air is drawn out by the fan, outdoor air seeps in through unsealed joints and hidden cracks. A precise tool called a nanometer is used to compare the pressure generated by the fan with that inside the home. The gathered results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH) to determine how well-sealed and efficient the home is in the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Houses in Elkins Park, PA are required to meet the standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted version. Generally, a blower door test result of 3 air changes per hour or less is considered acceptable, ensuring proper energy performance. Meeting this requirement during your blower door test in Elkins Park, PA helps reduce energy costs while keeping your home compliant with local building codes.

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 often work with home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Elkins Park, PA to meet local energy codes and obtain permit approval. 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.

There are many benefits of blower door test in Elkins Park, PA for homeowners. When the fan lowers indoor pressure, leaks become visible, allowing for easy identification of inefficiencies and energy-saving opportunities. A blower door test takes only a short time to complete but can have a lasting effect on your home’s comfort and energy efficiency through PA’ hot and cool seasons.

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.
Apply insulation of the correct R-value and make sure it fits snugly in all areas 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.
Properly seal all connections between conditioned and unconditioned zones, including basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
Local Energy Audits provides on-site leak detection and sealing using advanced thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam./li>
Over 90% of our projects pass within two hours, with all required paperwork issued immediately to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Elkins Park, PA

To prepare a home for blower door test in Elkins Park, PA, we shut off the HVAC system and disable all exhaust fans. Next, we conduct a quick walkthrough of the home, confirming that all exterior doors and windows are securely closed — including those to unfinished basements, garages, or any area outside the thermal envelope. Once everything is sealed, we choose a centrally located exterior door and set up the blower door frame and fan. The fan then depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, allowing us to measure airflow and leakage precisely. After the pressure drops, outdoor air enters through gaps more noticeably, making leaks easier to identify. A thermal imager helps us visualize temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces that separate conditioned and unconditioned spaces. With chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials on hand, we partner with homeowners and contractors to repair visible air leakage issues on the spot. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Elkins Park, PA energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Elkins Park, PA

For contractors conducting blower door test in Elkins Park, PA, well-insulated homes generally require only minimal on-site corrections during the test. 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.

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Schedule Your blower door test in Elkins Park, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Elkins Park, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on efficiency or a contractor working to close a permit, we ensure each test is conducted with precision and meets all energy code standards.

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