Blower Door Test in Blades, DE

Confirm your home’s energy performance and identify leaks through accurate blower door test in Blades, DE. Our certified team partners with homeowners, builders, and contractors to uncover air leaks, enhance comfort, and ensure DE energy code adherence.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test measures the air changes per hour within a home or building. Air exchange is a normal and healthy process that allows stale indoor air to be replaced with fresh air. 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 Blades, DE makes it easier to locate leaks and inefficiencies early, ensuring lasting comfort and reduced energy waste.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Blades, DE, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. A central exterior door is picked, where the technician fits an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel for airtight testing. A calibrated fan is then attached to the frame and used to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals, which is about the same as a steady 20 mph wind pushing against the structure.

As the fan expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. With the help of a nanometer, we determine the pressure difference between the fan’s airflow and the home’s internal conditions. The data collected is translated into air changes per hour (ACH), showing the home’s airtightness and overall energy efficiency in DE conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes throughout Blades, DE are required to satisfy the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most current version enforced by local regulators. For most regions, achieving 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test ensures that the home is properly energy efficient. Meeting this requirement during your blower door test in Blades, DE helps reduce energy costs while keeping your home compliant with local building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both DE and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Blades, DE to ensure compliance and successful project completion. You might also need a duct leakage test if HVAC systems or ducts are positioned outside the property’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Blades, DE. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. A short blower door test can result in a long-lasting impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and year-round performance in DE.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use high-quality air barrier materials like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and confirm all seams are perfectly taped.
  • Install correctly rated insulation with the proper R-value and confirm it’s well positioned in every part of 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 joints and gaps that connect conditioned and unconditioned areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
  • Equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits can find and fix leaks directly at your property./li>
  • More than 90% of the time, our team delivers a passing score in less than two hours and completes the necessary permit paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Blades, DE

Before starting blower door test in Blades, DE, we turn off all heating, air conditioning, and exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. We then perform a brief inspection throughout the home to make sure all exterior doors and windows are tightly shut — even those opening to garages, basements, or spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once everything is sealed, we choose a centrally located exterior door and set up the blower door frame and fan. The fan then depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, allowing us to measure airflow and leakage precisely. Once the home is depressurized, outside air starts infiltrating more forcefully, making it easier to spot air leaks. With a thermal imager, we identify issues by locating temperature differences across walls, ceilings, and surfaces leading to unconditioned areas. Using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we assist homeowners and contractors in addressing visible air leakage areas on-site. After sealing the leaks, we can immediately run another test to verify that the desired blower door score meets the local efficiency standards for homes in Blades, DE.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Blades, DE

When contractors schedule blower door test in Blades, DE, professionally insulated homes often only need minor adjustments that can be handled during the test. With readily available sealing materials like chalk and spray foam, we can repair minor leaks or gaps on the spot. In more than 90% of cases, our team secures a passing blower door test score within two hours and provides full documentation to complete the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Blades, DE

Receive professional, accurate, and certified blower door test in Blades, DE from our highly skilled technicians. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on efficiency or a contractor working to close a permit, we ensure each test is conducted with precision and meets all energy code standards.