Blower Door Test in Colmar, PA

Achieve peak energy efficiency and verify airtight construction with professional blower door test in Colmar, PA. Our trained team assists homeowners, builders, and contractors by detecting hidden air leaks, boosting comfort, and meeting PA energy regulations.

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. Excessive air changes often cause drafts, discomfort, and humidity-related issues such as condensation and mold growth inside the home. A blower door test in Colmar, PA allows early detection of air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost efficiency and maintain a comfortable, durable living environment.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Colmar, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. One main exterior door is identified, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric panel is securely attached. The technician mounts a calibrated fan to the frame to depressurize the house to 50 Pascals, roughly matching a 20 mph wind effect.

As the fan removes air, outside air naturally flows inside through leaks, joints, and other gaps. With a nanometer, we record and compare the pressure produced by the fan to the pressure inside the house. These measurements are used to calculate air changes per hour (ACH), which reflects the home’s airtightness and performance under PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Residential buildings in Colmar, PA must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. Achieving compliance in your blower door test in Colmar, PA helps improve energy efficiency and meet all local code mandates.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

In PA, both state and local jurisdictions follow the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), requiring blower door test for new and remodeled homes. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Colmar, PA to verify compliance and secure permit approval. A duct leakage test might be required when HVAC units or ductwork are installed beyond the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in Colmar, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. It only takes a few hours to perform a blower door test, but the long-lasting impact on comfort and efficiency is felt through PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

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.
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 gaps and openings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
Many local municipalities issue code compliance checklists — the Philadelphia example is available 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 cases result in a passing score within two hours, along with complete permit documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Colmar, PA

We begin blower door test in Colmar, PA by switching off the HVAC system and shutting down all exhaust fans throughout the home. 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. When the home reaches depressurization, outside air seeps in rapidly, helping identify leaks with greater accuracy. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. We bring the tools and materials—chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping—to work with homeowners or contractors in fixing visible air leakage issues immediately. Once air leaks are sealed, we quickly retest to determine if the desired blower door score has been achieved, ensuring your home meets Colmar, PA efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Colmar, PA

For contractors coordinating blower door test in Colmar, PA, most well-insulated properties can quickly take care of small issues during the testing process. With materials such as chalk and spray foam, most small leaks or gaps can be sealed immediately on-site. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide complete documentation to close out the building permit the same day.

888 213-3975

Schedule Your blower door test in Colmar, PA

Get professional-grade, efficient, and certified blower door test in Colmar, PA handled by our experienced staff. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking greater comfort or a contractor finalizing a permit, we ensure every test meets energy code requirements with precision and professionalism.

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