Blower Door Test in Bernardsville, NJ

Protect your energy investment and verify airtightness with advanced blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with NJ building energy standards.

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. Having too many air changes can waste energy because each new cycle demands the air be reheated or recooled, cutting overall efficiency. Frequent air changes can cause drafts and discomfort from leaks, increasing the risk of indoor mold and condensation. A blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ identifies potential air leakage problems early so homeowners and builders can improve comfort, energy performance, and home durability.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When conducting blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ, technicians close all exterior doors and windows and keep interior doors open for consistent air movement. One central exterior entry is selected, and an aluminum frame with a flexible fabric panel is installed securely. A calibrated fan is fitted into the frame and depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, mimicking the pressure caused by a 20 mph wind.

As the fan operates, it forces outside air to penetrate the home through gaps, leaks, and openings. Using an advanced nanometer, we evaluate the pressure difference between the fan system and the home’s interior environment. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in NJ conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Houses in Bernardsville, NJ are required to meet the standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted version. Generally, a blower door test result of 3 air changes per hour or less is considered acceptable, ensuring proper energy performance. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of NJ and numerous local municipalities adhere to the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which mandates blower door test for all newly built or renovated residential homes. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ to ensure compliance and successful project completion. 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.

With blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ, homeowners can pinpoint hidden air leaks. The depressurization process makes them obvious, enabling better sealing and lower energy costs. 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 NJ’ 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.
  • 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 every transition point between conditioned and unconditioned environments, including attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
  • Local code departments usually provide a checklist to assist with compliance — see the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./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 Bernardsville, NJ

When preparing for blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ, we first switch off the home’s heating, cooling, and exhaust systems. We perform a quick check throughout the property, making sure all exterior windows and doors — including those to unfinished or non-conditioned areas — are sealed, maintaining the thermal envelope. With all openings sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a main exterior door and use it to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals for precise testing results. After the pressure drops, outdoor air enters through gaps more noticeably, making leaks easier to identify. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. Our team provides on-site repair using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, working with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage problems. After completing sealing improvements, we retest immediately to ensure the desired blower door score is met and the home complies with efficiency standards in Bernardsville, NJ.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Bernardsville, NJ

Contractors scheduling blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ often see that homes with proper insulation can correct minor air leaks while testing is underway. Using materials like chalk and spray foam during the inspection, small leaks or gaps can be sealed right away. In over 90% of cases, we complete a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Bernardsville, NJ performed by our qualified and experienced experts. Whether you’re improving your home’s comfort or closing a building permit, our tests are performed with care and meet all energy efficiency codes.