Blower Door Test in Avondale, PA

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert blower door test in Avondale, 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 designed to measure air changes per hour inside homes, promoting a balance between airtightness and necessary ventilation. Too frequent air exchanges lead to energy waste, as every replacement requires reheating or recooling, decreasing your system’s efficiency. Excessive ventilation can lead to unwanted drafts, air leakage discomfort, and potential mold, condensation, or moisture problems indoors. A blower door test in Avondale, PA helps homeowners and builders find and fix leaks promptly, boosting energy efficiency and indoor comfort for years to come.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Avondale, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. Technicians select one central exterior door and install an adjustable aluminum frame along with a fabric panel for testing. Next, a calibrated fan is mounted on the frame to reduce indoor pressure to 50 Pascals — similar to the force of a 20 mph wind on the building.

When the fan pulls indoor air outward, fresh air from outside rushes in through leaks and weak spots. A sensitive nanometer helps us measure and compare the pressure created by the fan with the interior air pressure. The test results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH), which determines the airtightness and performance level of the home in PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes built in Avondale, PA are expected to comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer local versions in effect. An efficient home in most regions will achieve 3 air changes per hour or less during a blower door test. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Avondale, PA lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA and local municipalities have implemented the IECC code, which mandates blower door test on new and remodeled residential homes. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Avondale, PA to ensure compliance and successful project completion. A duct leakage test may also be necessary if any ducts or HVAC systems are positioned outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Avondale, PA can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. 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.
  • Use Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and carefully tape all seams to prevent air leakage.
  • Fit insulation with the correct R-value and make sure it’s installed without voids across 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.
  • Seal gaps and openings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • Many local municipalities issue code compliance checklists — the Philadelphia example is available here.
  • Equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits can find and fix leaks directly at your property./li>
  • In most situations—over 90% of the time—we get a passing score within two hours and finalize all required paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Avondale, PA

To prepare for blower door test in Avondale, PA, we start by turning off the heating and cooling system, along with all bathroom fans and kitchen 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. After sealing everything, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door and use it to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals for accurate airflow data. Once pressure is lowered, outdoor air moves in with greater force, highlighting problem areas and leaks. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and unconditioned areas. We carry all necessary materials, including chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, to collaborate with homeowners or contractors on visible air leakage repairs during testing. Once sealing is complete, we perform an immediate retest to verify that the desired blower door score is achieved and that your home meets all energy efficiency requirements in Avondale, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Avondale, PA

For contractors coordinating blower door test in Avondale, PA, most well-insulated properties can quickly take care of small issues during the testing process. With chalk and spray foam on hand, our crew can seal small leaks or gaps almost instantly. In over 90% of cases, we reach a passing blower door test score in two hours and issue the required documentation for quick permit closure.

Schedule Your blower door test in Avondale, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Avondale, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking greater comfort or a contractor finalizing a permit, we ensure every test meets energy code requirements with precision and professionalism.