Blower Door Test in West Chester, PA

Make sure your home meets airtightness and efficiency goals with certified blower door test in West Chester, PA. Our certified team helps homeowners, builders, and contractors locate air leaks, enhance indoor comfort, and meet all PA energy efficiency requirements.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test evaluates air changes per hour, showing how often indoor air is replaced by fresh outdoor air — a process essential for healthy living spaces. When a home experiences excessive air changes, the HVAC system must reheat or recool more frequently, increasing energy use and reducing efficiency. Frequent air changes can cause drafts and discomfort from leaks, increasing the risk of indoor mold and condensation. A blower door test in West Chester, PA detects air leaks early on, helping builders and homeowners boost efficiency and strengthen overall home comfort.

888 213-3975

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When performing blower door test in West Chester, PA, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. 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 creates negative pressure, outside air infiltrates the home through gaps and small openings. 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?

Homes in West Chester, PA are typically required to follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most recent version adopted locally. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. Achieving compliance in your blower door test in West Chester, PA helps improve energy efficiency and meet all local code mandates.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Throughout PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is followed, making blower door test compulsory for new and renovated homes. We proudly serve home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in West Chester, PA to pass inspections and fulfill energy code obligations. A duct leakage test might be required when HVAC units or ductwork are installed beyond the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in West Chester, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. It only takes a few hours to perform a blower door test, but the long-lasting impact on comfort and efficiency is felt through PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
Apply an air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, making sure all connecting seams are properly taped and sealed.
Install insulation that meets the required R-value and check that it’s evenly and securely placed 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 authorities often publish checklists to confirm compliance — get the Philadelphia example here.
Our professionals at Local Energy Audits use caulk, spray foam, and thermal imaging to detect and seal leaks on-site for better efficiency./li>
Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in West Chester, PA

To properly prepare for blower door test in West Chester, PA, the HVAC system and all bathroom and kitchen fans are turned off. Next, we carefully walk through the property to make sure all exterior openings — including those to basements, garages, or areas outside the thermal envelope — are closed properly. 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. After the pressure drops, outdoor air enters through gaps more noticeably, making leaks easier to identify. A thermal imager allows us to pinpoint problem spots by highlighting temperature contrasts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces exposed to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping so our team can work alongside homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage spots right away. Once sealing work is done, we immediately retest to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved for compliance with local standards in West Chester, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in West Chester, PA

When contractors perform blower door test in West Chester, PA, minor issues in professionally insulated homes can usually be resolved during the inspection. Using quick-application materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or openings are sealed right during testing. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and deliver all documents needed to finalize the permit without any delay.

888 213-3975

Schedule Your blower door test in West Chester, PA

Count on our skilled technicians for fast, precise, and certified blower door test in West Chester, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Contact Us