Blower Door Test in Chester Heights, PA

Ensure your home is sealed properly and energy-efficient with quality blower door test in Chester Heights, PA. Our skilled technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors find air leaks, increase comfort, and comply with PA energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is conducted to assess air changes per hour inside a home or structure, ensuring the right balance between air leakage and fresh airflow. Too frequent air exchanges lead to energy waste, as every replacement requires reheating or recooling, decreasing your system’s efficiency. When too much air is exchanged, it can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and create conditions for moisture buildup and mold. A blower door test in Chester Heights, PA locates leaks and inefficiencies quickly, allowing homeowners to enhance energy performance and create a cozier living space.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To complete blower door test in Chester Heights, PA, all exterior openings are sealed, and interior doors are kept open to ensure equal airflow throughout the property. One central exterior entry is selected, and an aluminum frame with a flexible fabric panel is installed securely. A precisely calibrated fan is installed on the frame to reduce the air pressure inside to 50 Pascals, equal to a steady 20 mph wind outdoors.

When the fan depressurizes the home, outdoor air seeps in through leaks, crevices, and other air pathways. Using a nanometer, we accurately compare the pressure difference between the fan output and the home’s interior. These values are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), a key measure of the home’s airtightness and its energy performance under PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes in Chester Heights, PA are typically required to follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most recent version adopted locally. A result of 3 air changes per hour or less is generally required in most areas to confirm the home’s energy efficiency. Reaching this target in your blower door test in Chester Heights, PA helps maintain lower energy bills and fulfills local code obligations.

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. Our certified technicians assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Chester Heights, PA to meet energy requirements and wrap up permit approvals. If ducts or HVAC units are located outside the thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may also be mandated. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Chester Heights, PA, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during PA’ hot and cold months.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Select a proper air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and ensure every seam is thoroughly taped for airtight sealing.
  • Install insulation of the appropriate R-value and inspect to confirm it’s correctly fitted in all envelope areas.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Seal off any access points or gaps between conditioned and unconditioned spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
  • Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
  • Local Energy Audits technicians carry thermal imaging devices, caulk, and spray foam to pinpoint and seal air leaks immediately./li>
  • Over 90% of projects pass within two hours, and we immediately provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Chester Heights, PA

To get ready for blower door test in Chester Heights, PA, our team turns off the HVAC system and shuts down kitchen and bathroom fans. 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. Once all openings are sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door. The fan then lowers the pressure to 50 Pascals for precise leakage measurement. When the house is depressurized, outside air begins entering faster, exposing hidden leaks more effectively. With a thermal imager, we identify cold or warm spots in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that reveal air leakage into unconditioned spaces. Carrying chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, we work directly with homeowners or contractors to resolve visible air leakage issues during the visit. After completing sealing improvements, we retest immediately to ensure the desired blower door score is met and the home complies with efficiency standards in Chester Heights, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Chester Heights, PA

When contractors perform blower door test in Chester Heights, PA, minor issues in professionally insulated homes can usually be resolved during the inspection. With efficient sealing products such as chalk and spray foam, minor air leaks can often be fixed immediately. In over 90% of cases, our team achieves a passing blower door test score within just two hours and provides the documentation required to close the permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Chester Heights, PA

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Chester Heights, PA performed by our qualified and experienced experts. Whether you’re a homeowner improving comfort or a contractor completing inspection requirements, our tests meet energy codes with careful attention to detail.