Blower Door Test in Douglassville, PA

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For blower door test in Douglassville, 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 door is chosen, where an adjustable aluminum frame and durable fabric panel are securely installed. Once the frame is in place, a calibrated fan is used to bring the home’s pressure down to 50 Pascals — about the same as a 20 mph wind on the structure.

When the fan starts pulling air out, external air enters through the smallest cracks and leakage points. A sensitive device called a nanometer measures how the fan’s pressure relates to the home’s internal air pressure. 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 Douglassville, PA are typically required to follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most recent version adopted locally. 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. Meeting this benchmark in your blower door test in Douglassville, PA reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA and local city codes follow the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which mandates blower door tests on residential buildings after construction or renovation. Our experts assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Douglassville, PA to ensure compliance with energy codes and complete final permits. 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 can greatly benefit from blower door test in Douglassville, PA. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. A blower door test may take just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact can greatly improve your home’s comfort and energy use across PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

• Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
• Employ an appropriate air barrier system such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and verify that each seam has been correctly taped.
• Install insulation that meets the required R-value and check that it’s evenly and securely placed throughout 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.
• Ensure all penetrations between conditioned and unconditioned areas—like attics, basements, and crawl spaces—are tightly sealed.
• Local code departments usually provide a checklist to assist with compliance — see the Philadelphia example here.
• Local Energy Audits provides on-site leak detection and sealing using advanced thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam./li>
• Over 90% of the time, we complete testing with a passing score in two hours or less and handle all permit paperwork on-site.