Blower Door Test in Bear, DE

Maintain compliance with energy codes and reduce energy loss using expert blower door test in Bear, DE. Our skilled technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors find air leaks, increase comfort, and comply with DE energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is performed to identify the rate of air changes per hour, confirming your home receives a healthy exchange of fresh air. When the air changes too often, energy efficiency drops since the system must continuously reheat or recool the air inside. Too much ventilation can create drafts, discomfort, and unwanted effects like condensation, moisture accumulation, and mold inside your home. A blower door test in Bear, DE helps spot air leaks before they worsen, improving efficiency, comfort, and long-term structural quality.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When blower door test in Bear, DE is conducted, every exterior door and window is closed, and interior doors are left open to achieve uniform air movement inside. A single main exterior door is fitted with an adjustable aluminum frame and attached fabric panel to begin the setup. A calibrated fan is installed onto the frame, creating a pressure difference of 50 Pascals, comparable to a continuous 20 mph wind blowing on the home.

When the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. A sensitive device called a nanometer measures how the fan’s pressure relates to the home’s internal air pressure. From these readings, the number of air changes per hour (ACH) is determined, revealing the home’s airtightness and performance efficiency in DE.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Residential buildings in Bear, DE must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Bear, DE lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

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. We provide support to home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Bear, DE for meeting energy efficiency standards and finalizing permits. You may also need a duct leakage test if your ductwork or HVAC equipment lies outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Performing blower door test in Bear, DE allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. A blower door test may take just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact can greatly improve your home’s comfort and energy use across DE’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use materials like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and ensure every seam is well taped for best results.
  • Use properly rated insulation with the right R-value and ensure consistent coverage 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.
  • Most building departments provide detailed compliance resources — view the Philadelphia checklist example here.
  • Local Energy Audits provides on-site leak detection and sealing using advanced thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam./li>
  • In over 90% of tests, we obtain a passing score within two hours and issue all paperwork required for permit closure.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Bear, DE

To ensure accuracy during blower door test in Bear, DE, we begin by switching off the HVAC system and all exhaust fans in the home. We follow with a quick walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are fully closed — including those that connect to garages, basements, or any part outside the thermal envelope. After all openings are closed, we choose a central exterior door, install the blower door frame and fan, and depressurize the house to 50 Pascals to gauge airflow. Once the structure is depressurized, outside air penetrates more actively, exposing any leaks and weak points. With the help of a thermal imager, we can uncover leaks and weak spots by spotting temperature differences across walls, ceilings, and surfaces near unconditioned spaces. Our team brings chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping supplies to every job, enabling us to collaborate with homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage areas immediately. Once air leaks are sealed, we quickly retest to determine if the desired blower door score has been achieved, ensuring your home meets Bear, DE efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Bear, DE

For contractors scheduling blower door test in Bear, DE, most professionally insulated homes can quickly fix minor issues on-site during the testing process. Using professional-grade materials like chalk and spray foam, we seal small leaks or gaps as soon as they’re detected. In over 90% of cases, our technicians achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and supply all necessary documentation to finalize the building permit efficiently.

Schedule Your blower door test in Bear, DE

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