Blower Door Test in Lionville, PA

Maintain compliance with energy codes and reduce energy loss using expert blower door test in Lionville, PA. Our professional technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors identify air leaks, improve home comfort, and satisfy PA energy code regulations.

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 changes, however, can be detrimental because every time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, leading to higher energy use and lower efficiency. When air changes occur too often, they can result in drafts, air leakage discomfort, and moisture-related problems such as condensation and mold. A blower door test in Lionville, PA helps discover hidden leaks early so homeowners can save energy, enhance comfort, and improve home resilience.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To conduct blower door test in Lionville, PA, exterior doors and windows are closed properly, while interior doors remain open to help maintain even air movement. Technicians select one central exterior door and install an adjustable aluminum frame along with a fabric panel for testing. Technicians mount a calibrated fan onto the frame to achieve 50 Pascals of depressurization — similar to a constant 20 mph wind acting on the home.

When indoor air is extracted, outdoor air pushes in through every leak and small gap in the building. By employing a nanometer, we measure the variance between the fan’s pressure and the internal home pressure. These values are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), a key measure of the home’s airtightness and its energy performance under PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Lionville, PA, homes are designed to meet or exceed the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted standards. 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 benchmark in your blower door test in Lionville, PA reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA, together with many cities and counties, enforces the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which calls for blower door test on new or renovated residential properties. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Lionville, PA to verify compliance and secure permit approval. 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.

By performing blower door test in Lionville, PA, homeowners can identify where conditioned air escapes. Depressurization makes leaks visible, uncovering ways to enhance comfort and efficiency. A blower door test requires minimal time but makes a long-lasting impact on home comfort and energy performance during PA’ extreme temperatures.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Install an effective air barrier, for example Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and make certain all seams are sealed with durable tape.
  • Apply the correct R-value insulation and verify that it’s properly fitted to seal the whole building envelope.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Seal cracks and openings between conditioned interiors and unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
  • Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
  • Local Energy Audits uses professional-grade thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and close leaks during the visit./li>
  • More than 90% of the time, our team delivers a passing score in less than two hours and completes the necessary permit paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Lionville, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Lionville, PA begins with switching off the HVAC system, as well as any bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. 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. Once all openings are sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door. The fan then lowers the pressure to 50 Pascals for precise leakage measurement. Once the home is under depressurization, exterior air infiltrates faster through cracks, helping pinpoint leaks. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. Using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we assist homeowners and contractors in addressing visible air leakage areas on-site. Once sealing is finished, we conduct an instant retest to ensure the desired blower door score is reached, confirming compliance with Lionville, PA building codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Lionville, PA

For contractors arranging blower door test in Lionville, PA, most homes with professional insulation can handle small air leakage issues during the test itself. Using materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps can typically be sealed right away during the test. In over 90% of cases, we successfully achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and promptly deliver all required documentation to close out the building permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Lionville, PA

Get fast, reliable, and certified blower door test in Lionville, PA from our experienced and trusted team. Whether you’re a homeowner improving comfort or a contractor completing inspection requirements, our tests meet energy codes with careful attention to detail.