Blower Door Test in Cheltenham, PA

Protect your energy investment and verify airtightness with advanced blower door test in Cheltenham, 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 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. When a home experiences excessive air changes, the HVAC system must reheat or recool more frequently, increasing energy use and reducing efficiency. Too many air changes can create drafts and discomfort due to leaks and may also lead to condensation, moisture buildup, and mold growth indoors. A blower door test in Cheltenham, 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?

In blower door test in Cheltenham, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. A calibrated fan mounted on the frame reduces the home’s pressure to 50 Pascals, simulating the force of a continuous 20 mph wind.

When the fan depressurizes the home, outdoor air seeps in through leaks, crevices, and other air pathways. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. The gathered results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH) to determine how well-sealed and efficient the home is in the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Houses in Cheltenham, PA are required to meet the standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted version. In most jurisdictions, 3 air changes per hour or less is the benchmark for acceptable blower door test results and energy efficiency. Meeting this benchmark in your blower door test in Cheltenham, PA reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both PA and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. Our professionals frequently support home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Cheltenham, PA to comply with energy codes and finalize projects. A duct leakage test may also be performed when ductwork or HVAC equipment extends beyond the thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Cheltenham, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. Typically completed within a few hours, a blower door test provides a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy efficiency, and overall home performance in PA’ varied climate.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
Use a reliable air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and make sure all seams are securely taped.
Use insulation that has the designated R-value and confirm it’s properly applied throughout the building envelope for maximum efficiency.
Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
Seal the transitions between conditioned and unconditioned zones, particularly around basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
Local authorities often publish checklists to confirm compliance — get the Philadelphia example here.
Our team at Local Energy Audits employs thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and repair leaks efficiently on-site./li>
Over 90% of the time, we achieve a passing score in under two hours and provide all required documentation to finalize the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Cheltenham, PA

For blower door test in Cheltenham, PA, preparation includes turning off all heating and air conditioning units, plus bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. 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. After ensuring the home is airtight, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door and depressurize the house to 50 Pascals to record airflow and leakage data accurately. When the home reaches negative pressure, outside air infiltrates through openings, making leaks visible. With a thermal imager, we identify issues by locating temperature differences across walls, ceilings, and surfaces leading to unconditioned areas. Our technicians arrive with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, ready to work with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage problems right away. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Cheltenham, PA energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Cheltenham, PA

Contractors arranging blower door test in Cheltenham, PA will find that homes with professional insulation can typically resolve small issues right on-site during testing. Using simple yet effective materials like chalk and spray foam, we can seal most small leaks or gaps right during testing. In over 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and issue the full documentation needed to complete the building permit process on the same day.

888 213-3975

Schedule Your blower door test in Cheltenham, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Cheltenham, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re improving a home’s efficiency or ensuring code compliance for a project, we perform every test with professionalism and attention to detail.

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