Blower Door Test in Dover, DE

Confirm your home’s energy performance and identify leaks through accurate blower door test in Dover, DE. Our certified experts assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in improving comfort, sealing leaks, and meeting DE energy code requirements.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test calculates the rate of air changes per hour in a property, verifying that proper ventilation keeps air fresh and clean. Frequent air replacement can harm energy performance, as each exchange requires reheating or recooling the air. Too much ventilation can create drafts, discomfort, and unwanted effects like condensation, moisture accumulation, and mold inside your home. A blower door test in Dover, DE finds air leakage problems early, allowing better energy efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort for homeowners.

888 213-3975

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

Before blower door test in Dover, DE, every exterior door and window is closed securely, while interior doors stay open to let air move evenly around the home. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. 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 expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. Using a nanometer, we accurately compare the pressure difference between the fan output and the home’s interior. These measurements yield air changes per hour (ACH), showing how airtight and energy-efficient the property is in DE.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Dover, DE, compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or subsequent locally adopted versions is typically mandatory for residential properties. A result of 3 air changes per hour or less is generally required in most areas to confirm the home’s energy efficiency. Meeting this benchmark in your blower door test in Dover, DE reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of DE, together with many cities and counties, enforces the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which calls for blower door test on new or renovated residential properties. We provide support to home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Dover, DE for meeting energy efficiency standards and finalizing permits. 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 Dover, DE. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during DE’ hot and cold months.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
Use an air barrier system such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and verify that each seam is properly sealed with tape.
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.
Properly seal all connections between conditioned and unconditioned zones, including basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
Many cities provide compliance checklists through their building departments — see the Philadelphia version here.
Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./li>
In more than 90% of cases, we secure a passing score within two hours and deliver the paperwork needed to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Dover, DE

Getting ready for blower door test in Dover, DE involves turning off all heating, cooling, and exhaust ventilation systems. Next, we carefully walk through the property to make sure all exterior openings — including those to basements, garages, or areas outside the thermal envelope — are closed properly. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. Once depressurization occurs, outdoor air enters the home more aggressively, revealing leaks more clearly. 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 the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Dover, DE energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Dover, DE

For contractors conducting blower door test in Dover, DE, well-insulated homes generally require only minimal on-site corrections during the test. 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 Dover, DE

Rely on our expert team for accurate, efficient, and certified blower door test in Dover, DE. Whether you’re improving your home’s comfort or closing a building permit, our tests are performed with care and meet all energy efficiency codes.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Contact Us