Blower Door Test in Harrington, DE

Maintain compliance with energy codes and reduce energy loss using expert blower door test in Harrington, DE. Our certified specialists support homeowners, builders, and contractors by locating hidden air leaks, improving efficiency, and achieving DE energy code compliance.

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. When air changes occur too frequently, the heating or cooling system must work harder to stabilize temperatures, increasing energy use and lowering efficiency. Excessive air changes often cause drafts, discomfort, and humidity-related issues such as condensation and mold growth inside the home. A blower door test in Harrington, DE 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?

Before blower door test in Harrington, DE, every exterior door and window is closed securely, while interior doors stay open to let air move evenly around the home. An adjustable aluminum frame and sturdy fabric panel are installed in one central exterior door to prepare for testing. A calibrated fan is placed within the frame and operated to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals — nearly the same as a 20 mph wind hitting the building.

As the fan removes air, outside air naturally flows inside through leaks, joints, and other gaps. With a nanometer, we record and compare the pressure produced by the fan to the pressure inside the house. These measurements are used to calculate air changes per hour (ACH), which reflects the home’s airtightness and performance under DE weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes built in Harrington, DE are expected to comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer local versions in effect. For most regions, achieving 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test ensures that the home is properly energy efficient. When your blower door test in Harrington, DE meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Following the IECC guidelines, DE and many local jurisdictions require blower door test on newly built or renovated residential dwellings. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Harrington, DE to ensure compliance and successful project completion. 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.

A blower door test in Harrington, DE helps homeowners discover inefficiencies. Depressurizing the home makes leaks more noticeable and highlights where energy can be conserved. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during DE’ hot and cold months.

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.
  • Ensure insulation with the specified R-value is properly installed and fitted throughout the entire 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.
  • Local code offices often issue compliance checklists — access the Philadelphia example here for reference.
  • With the help of thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits efficiently detects and seals leaks on-site./li>
  • Over 90% of the time, we achieve a passing score in under two hours and provide all required documentation to finalize the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Harrington, DE

Preparation for blower door test in Harrington, DE includes turning off the air conditioning, heating, and all exhaust fans to ensure accurate results. Next, our team walks through the home to verify that every exterior door and window is sealed shut — including access points to unfinished basements, garages, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. After depressurization, air infiltration from outdoors increases, allowing faster and more accurate leak detection. Using a thermal imager, we detect problem areas by observing temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that connect to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, allowing us to work directly with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage issues on-site. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Harrington, DE efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Harrington, DE

Contractors booking blower door test in Harrington, DE can rest assured that most homes with professional insulation can easily handle small fixes during testing. 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 Harrington, DE

Rely on our expert team for accurate, efficient, and certified blower door test in Harrington, DE. 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.