Blower Door Test in Bridgeville, DE

Evaluate your home’s air leakage and achieve energy compliance with precise blower door test in Bridgeville, 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 checks the number of air changes per hour in your home, ensuring old air is replaced with new, clean air for a healthier environment. 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. Excessive air changes can also lead to drafts and discomfort caused by air leaks, along with moisture, condensation, and mold problems inside the home. A blower door test in Bridgeville, DE helps uncover these issues early, enabling homeowners and builders to detect air leaks, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable, long-lasting home.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

While performing blower door test in Bridgeville, DE, technicians make sure exterior doors and windows are shut tight and interior doors are open for uniform pressure. 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 expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. A nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. 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?

Residential buildings in Bridgeville, DE must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. An efficient home in most regions will achieve 3 air changes per hour or less during a blower door test. Passing this requirement during a blower door test in Bridgeville, DE keeps your home efficient and aligned with local building code standards.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

In DE, both state and local jurisdictions follow the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), requiring blower door test for new and remodeled homes. Our professionals frequently support home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Bridgeville, DE to comply with energy codes and finalize projects. A duct leakage test can be required when ducts or HVAC components are installed outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Bridgeville, DE, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. Typically completed within a few hours, a blower door test provides a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy efficiency, and overall home performance in DE’ varied climate.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and carefully tape all seams to prevent air leakage.
  • Place insulation with the accurate R-value and check for proper installation and full coverage in 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.
  • Seal all openings between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
  • Our professionals at Local Energy Audits use caulk, spray foam, and thermal imaging to detect and seal leaks on-site for better efficiency./li>
  • In more than 90% of cases, we secure a passing score within two hours and deliver the paperwork needed to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Bridgeville, DE

As part of preparing for blower door test in Bridgeville, DE, we power down the HVAC system along with kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. A brief walkthrough follows, during which we verify all exterior windows and doors — even those leading to unconditioned spaces — are closed tight to preserve the thermal envelope. With the home sealed, we select a main exterior door, install the blower door setup, and use the fan to depressurize to 50 Pascals, enabling accurate airflow measurement. When depressurization is complete, outside air flows in swiftly, allowing easy detection of leakage spots. By employing a thermal imager, we detect heat loss by identifying temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces leading to unconditioned zones. We’re equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, so we can partner with homeowners or contractors to repair visible air leakage problems right on-site. Once air leaks are sealed, we quickly retest to determine if the desired blower door score has been achieved, ensuring your home meets Bridgeville, DE efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Bridgeville, DE

For contractors coordinating blower door test in Bridgeville, DE, most well-insulated properties can quickly take care of small issues during the testing process. Using readily available materials like chalk and spray foam, our team can seal small leaks and gaps on-site in minutes. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide complete documentation to finalize the building permit without delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Bridgeville, DE

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Bridgeville, DE performed by our qualified and experienced experts. Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading comfort or a contractor closing permits, we carry out each test with accuracy and in full compliance with energy regulations.