Blower Door Test in Drexel Hill, PA

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA. Our qualified specialists help homeowners, builders, and contractors locate hidden leaks, improve comfort, and fulfill PA energy code standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test evaluates air changes per hour, showing how often indoor air is replaced by fresh outdoor air — a process essential for healthy living spaces. When the air changes too often, energy efficiency drops since the system must continuously reheat or recool the air inside. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA detects air leaks early on, helping builders and homeowners boost efficiency and strengthen overall home comfort.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. A single main exterior door is fitted with an adjustable aluminum frame and attached fabric panel to begin the setup. After setup, a calibrated fan is attached to the frame to lower the air pressure inside the house to 50 Pascals, equivalent to a 20 mph wind.

When the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. These figures are calculated into air changes per hour (ACH), reflecting how well the home prevents air loss and maintains efficiency in PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Drexel Hill, PA, new construction typically follows the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or an updated edition implemented by local codes. 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. When your blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA state regulations and many municipalities abide by the IECC, enforcing blower door tests for newly constructed or renovated homes. We specialize in helping home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA to achieve energy code compliance and finalize inspections. A duct leakage test is often required whenever ducts or HVAC units are found outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners gain major advantages from blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA. As the fan depressurizes the home, incoming air through leaks becomes easier to detect, revealing problem spots and potential energy-saving improvements. A short blower door test can result in a long-lasting impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and year-round performance in PA.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Apply an effective air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, ensuring every seam is tightly sealed with proper tape.
  • Ensure the insulation used meets the proper R-value and is well fitted throughout the structure’s 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 any gaps connecting conditioned and unconditioned spaces, such as those leading to basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
  • Many building departments provide step-by-step compliance guides — you can find the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits provides on-site leak detection and sealing using advanced thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam./li>
  • In over 90% of tests, we obtain a passing score within two hours and issue all paperwork required for permit closure.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Drexel Hill, PA

To ensure accuracy during blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA, we begin by switching off the HVAC system and all exhaust fans in the home. After that, we check the entire home to confirm all exterior doors and windows are tightly secured — even those leading to garages, unfinished basements, or other spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once preparation is complete, the blower door fan and frame are installed in a centrally located exterior door. The fan then reduces pressure to 50 Pascals, allowing accurate leakage assessment. When the home reaches negative pressure, outside air infiltrates through openings, making leaks visible. Using a thermal imager, we detect problem areas by observing temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that connect to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping so our team can work alongside homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage spots right away. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Drexel Hill, PA efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Drexel Hill, PA

Contractors scheduling blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA often see that homes with proper insulation can correct minor air leaks while testing is underway. By applying materials such as chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps are often sealed on the spot. In over 90% of cases, we manage to secure a passing blower door test score within just two hours and immediately provide all necessary paperwork to close out the permit process.

Schedule Your blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA

Count on our team for fast, professional, and certified blower door test in Drexel Hill, PA with dependable results. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming to enhance comfort or a contractor needing to close out a permit, we make sure each test complies with energy codes accurately and efficiently.