Blower Door Test in Barto, PA

Achieve peak energy efficiency and verify airtight construction with professional blower door test in Barto, PA. Our certified specialists support homeowners, builders, and contractors by locating hidden air leaks, improving efficiency, and achieving PA energy code compliance.

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. Having too many air changes can waste energy because each new cycle demands the air be reheated or recooled, cutting overall efficiency. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in Barto, PA 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?

For accurate blower door test in Barto, PA, technicians close all exterior openings and keep interior doors open to balance airflow throughout the house. A central door to the outside is selected, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric cover is installed there. 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.

When air is drawn out by the fan, outdoor air seeps in through unsealed joints and hidden cracks. Using a sensitive instrument known as a nanometer, we measure the fan’s pressure against the home’s internal 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 Barto, PA are expected to comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer local versions in effect. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. Achieving this goal during your blower door test in Barto, PA promotes energy savings and demonstrates adherence to local building rules.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA and several of its municipalities comply with the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), mandating blower door test for new or updated homes. Our team regularly helps home builders, contractors, and homeowners seeking blower door test in Barto, PA to satisfy energy code standards and close final inspections. You may be required to perform a duct leakage test if HVAC components are situated outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Performing blower door test in Barto, PA allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. A blower door test usually takes just a few hours but delivers a long-lasting impact on your home’s comfort, performance, and efficiency—particularly during PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

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.
  • Use insulation with the right R-value and confirm it is properly installed 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.
  • Seal cracks and openings between conditioned interiors and unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
  • Local construction departments often include compliance guides — you can download the Philadelphia checklist 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>
  • Over 90% of cases result in a passing score within two hours, along with complete permit documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Barto, PA

To prepare a home for blower door test in Barto, PA, we shut off the HVAC system and disable all exhaust fans. 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, the blower door fan is installed in a central exterior doorway and used to lower pressure to 50 Pascals to measure airflow and leakage effectively. After the home is depressurized, outdoor air pushes in more strongly, allowing leaks to become more noticeable. Using a thermal imager, we detect problem areas by observing temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that connect to unconditioned spaces. Carrying chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, we work directly with homeowners or contractors to resolve visible air leakage issues during the visit. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Barto, PA efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Barto, PA

Contractors planning blower door test in Barto, PA can expect most professionally insulated homes to address small issues easily during the testing phase. 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 Barto, PA

Get trusted, professional, and certified blower door test in Barto, PA from our experienced technicians. Whether you’re optimizing home comfort or finalizing construction approval, every test we perform adheres to energy code requirements with precision.