Blower Door Test in Cheltenham, PA

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert 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 quantifies how often indoor air is renewed through air changes per hour, helping maintain optimal ventilation. When the air changes too often, energy efficiency drops since the system must continuously reheat or recool the air inside. Excessive air changes can bring drafts and air leakage discomfort while promoting moisture buildup, mold, and condensation. A blower door test in Cheltenham, PA locates leaks and inefficiencies quickly, allowing homeowners to enhance energy performance and create a cozier living space.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For blower door test in Cheltenham, PA, all outside doors and windows are closed properly, and inside doors are kept open to balance air pressure throughout the space. One central exterior entry is selected, and an aluminum frame with a flexible fabric panel is installed securely. Technicians mount a calibrated fan onto the frame to achieve 50 Pascals of depressurization — similar to a constant 20 mph wind acting on the home.

When the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. A sensitive nanometer helps us measure and compare the pressure created by the fan with the interior air pressure. The collected data converts to air changes per hour (ACH), demonstrating how tightly sealed and efficient the home remains in PA climates.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Cheltenham, PA, new construction typically follows the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or an updated edition implemented by local codes. Most areas recognize 3 air changes per hour or less as the target blower door test value to ensure energy efficiency. When your blower door test in Cheltenham, PAmeets this requirement, you benefit from reduced energy bills and code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Throughout PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is followed, making blower door test compulsory for new and renovated homes. We specialize in helping home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Cheltenham, PA to achieve energy code compliance and finalize inspections. 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.

Homeowners can greatly benefit from blower door test in Cheltenham, PA. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. Completing a blower door test takes just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact enhances comfort and performance in every PAseason.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Choose Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and check that all seams are securely taped to maintain airtightness.
  • Ensure insulation with the specified R-value is properly installed and fitted throughout the entire 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 gaps and penetrations between conditioned zones and unconditioned sections like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
  • Most building departments provide detailed compliance resources — view the Philadelphia checklist example here.
  • Local Energy Audits technicians carry thermal imaging devices, caulk, and spray foam to pinpoint and seal air leaks immediately./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

Preparation for blower door test in Cheltenham, PA includes turning off the air conditioning, heating, and all exhaust fans to ensure accurate results. We continue with a walkthrough inspection to confirm every exterior door and window is firmly closed — especially those to unconditioned spaces outside 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. When the home reaches depressurization, outside air seeps in rapidly, helping identify leaks with greater accuracy. Through the use of a thermal imager, we find problem zones by detecting uneven temperatures in walls, ceilings, and surfaces connected to unconditioned spaces. We come prepared with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, allowing us to assist homeowners or contractors in sealing visible air leakage points on the spot. After the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Cheltenham, PA energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Cheltenham, PA

Most professionally insulated homes undergoing blower door test in Cheltenham, PA can resolve small issues on-site during the contractor’s visit. 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 Cheltenham, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Cheltenham, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re improving comfort as a homeowner or completing a project as a contractor, we guarantee every test is performed with accuracy and full energy code compliance.