Blower Door Test in Edgemont, PA

Protect your energy investment and verify airtightness with advanced blower door test in Edgemont, PA. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with PA building energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test helps determine the air changes per hour to confirm that your home has sufficient fresh air replacement. An excessive rate of air changes can be inefficient because each time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, raising energy costs. Too much air movement from leaks can cause uncomfortable drafts, moisture accumulation, and mold or condensation issues indoors. A blower door test in Edgemont, 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?

Before blower door test in Edgemont, PA, every exterior door and window is closed securely, while interior doors stay open to let air move evenly around the home. A central exterior door is used as the setup point, where an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are positioned. A calibrated fan is placed within the frame and operated to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals — nearly the same as a 20 mph wind hitting the building.

When the fan pulls indoor air outward, fresh air from outside rushes in through leaks and weak spots. Using a nanometer device, we assess how the pressure from the fan differs from the home’s natural air pressure. These readings are then converted into the total number of air changes per hour (ACH), revealing how airtight the home is and how well it performs in the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Edgemont, PA, residential properties must meet the energy efficiency criteria outlined in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or updated local versions. Most areas recognize 3 air changes per hour or less as the target blower door test value to ensure energy efficiency. Passing this threshold during your blower door test in Edgemont, PA ensures both energy savings and full compliance with local regulations.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Following the IECC guidelines, PA and many local jurisdictions require blower door test on newly built or renovated residential dwellings. We regularly provide blower door test in Edgemont, PA for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. A duct leakage test requirement applies if ducts or HVAC units are positioned outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Performing blower door test in Edgemont, PA allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. A blower door test is quick to perform but offers a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy savings, and home efficiency across all PAclimates.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Apply an appropriate air barrier, such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, making sure every seam is correctly taped for maximum performance.
  • Apply the correct R-value insulation and verify that it’s properly fitted to seal the whole 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 off any access points or gaps between conditioned and unconditioned spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Using thermal imaging technology along with caulk and spray foam, Local Energy Audits identifies and seals leaks during the inspection./li>
  • In the majority of cases—over 90%—we reach a passing score within two hours and provide all closing documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Edgemont, PA

We begin blower door test in Edgemont, PA by switching off the HVAC system and shutting down all exhaust fans throughout the home. Next, we do a complete walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are sealed — including those opening to garages, unfinished basements, or areas beyond 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. Once depressurization occurs, outdoor air enters the home more aggressively, revealing leaks more clearly. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping so our team can work alongside homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage spots right away. Once sealing work is done, we immediately retest to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved for compliance with local standards in Edgemont, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Edgemont, PA

During blower door test in Edgemont, PA, contractors will find that well-insulated homes can manage minor issues directly on-site. By using materials such as chalk and spray foam, our team can fix small air leaks immediately on-site. In over 90% of cases, we reach a passing blower door test score in less than two hours and hand over the documents needed to close the building permit right away.

Schedule Your blower door test in Edgemont, PA

Get reliable, timely, and certified blower door test in Edgemont, PA from our trained and experienced specialists. Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading comfort or a contractor closing permits, we carry out each test with accuracy and in full compliance with energy regulations.