Blower Door Test in Fairless Hills, PA

Test your home’s air barriers and meet energy regulations through dependable blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA. Our licensed professionals help homeowners, builders, and contractors identify air leaks, enhance comfort, and achieve PA energy compliance.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test checks the number of air changes per hour in your home, ensuring old air is replaced with new, clean air for a healthier environment. Having too many air changes can waste energy because each new cycle demands the air be reheated or recooled, cutting overall 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 Fairless Hills, PA helps spot air leaks before they worsen, improving efficiency, comfort, and long-term structural quality.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When performing blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. One central exterior door is chosen, where an adjustable aluminum frame and durable fabric panel are securely installed. The mounted calibrated fan depressurizes the building to 50 Pascals, a condition similar to the effect of a 20 mph wind.

As the fan removes air from inside, exterior air flows in through leaks and gaps in the building envelope. A precise tool called a nanometer is used to compare the pressure generated by the fan with that inside the home. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Fairless Hills, PA, residential buildings must meet the benchmarks set by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer codes adopted locally. An acceptable blower door test result in most areas is 3 air changes per hour or less, demonstrating solid energy performance. When your blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Across PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is adopted by the state and local jurisdictions, requiring blower door test on residential constructions and renovations. We regularly provide blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. A duct leakage test could be required when air ducts or HVAC units extend outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. Completing a blower door test takes just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact enhances comfort and performance in every PAseason.

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.
  • Install correctly rated insulation with the proper R-value and confirm it’s well positioned in every part of 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 the transitions between conditioned and unconditioned zones, particularly around basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Local code offices often issue compliance checklists — access the Philadelphia example here for reference.
  • At Local Energy Audits, we utilize thermal imaging equipment, caulk, and spray foam to identify and fix air leaks during testing./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 Fairless Hills, PA

We begin blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA by switching off the HVAC system and shutting down all exhaust fans throughout the home. Next, we inspect each room to confirm all exterior doors and windows are properly closed — including any leading to garages, basements, or other spaces beyond 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. Once depressurization is achieved, the inflow of outside air intensifies, making air leaks easier to find and fix. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. Our team provides on-site repair using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, working with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage problems. After the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Fairless Hills, PA energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Fairless Hills, PA

Most professionally insulated homes undergoing blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA can resolve small issues on-site during the contractor’s visit. Using materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps can typically be sealed right away during the test. In over 90% of cases, we successfully achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and promptly deliver all required documentation to close out the building permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Fairless Hills, PA performed by our qualified and experienced experts. 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.