Blower Door Test in Folcroft, PA

Improve insulation performance and meet energy code requirements through thorough blower door test in Folcroft, PA. Our qualified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting air leaks, optimizing comfort, and maintaining compliance with PA energy codes.

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. Too frequent air replacement can reduce efficiency since every exchange requires your system to use more energy for heating or cooling. Excessive air leakage can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and contribute to issues like condensation, moisture, and mold inside the home. A blower door test in Folcroft, PA helps pinpoint problem areas early, improving insulation performance, comfort, and home lifespan.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To conduct blower door test in Folcroft, PA, exterior doors and windows are closed properly, while interior doors remain open to help maintain even air movement. One main exterior door is identified, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric panel is securely attached. The technician mounts a calibrated fan to the frame to depressurize the house to 50 Pascals, roughly matching a 20 mph wind effect.

As air is drawn out by the fan, it causes outdoor air to infiltrate through existing leaks and gaps in the structure. Using a highly accurate nanometer, we compare the fan-induced pressure to the natural air pressure inside the home. Measurements are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), showing how effectively the home retains conditioned air in the PA environment.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Folcroft, PA, homes generally must comply with the requirements of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer editions enforced by local authorities. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. By meeting this standard in your blower door test in Folcroft, PA, you can enjoy lower utility bills and peace of mind with code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both PA and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. Our professionals frequently support home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Folcroft, PA to comply with energy codes and finalize projects. 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 can greatly benefit from blower door test in Folcroft, PA. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. Though a blower door test lasts just a few hours, it offers a long-lasting impact on your home’s comfort, durability, and performance year-round in PA.

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 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.
  • 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.
  • Equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits can find and fix leaks directly at your property./li>
  • Over 90% of our projects pass within two hours, with all required paperwork issued immediately to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Folcroft, PA

To ensure accuracy during blower door test in Folcroft, PA, we begin by switching off the HVAC system and all exhaust fans in the home. We then perform a detailed walkthrough to verify that all exterior windows and doors are tightly shut, including any that lead to spaces beyond the thermal envelope. 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 pressure is lowered, outdoor air moves in with greater force, highlighting problem areas and leaks. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. Carrying chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, we work directly with homeowners or contractors to resolve visible air leakage issues during the visit. We conduct a quick retest after sealing to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved and that your home adheres to Folcroft, PA energy efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Folcroft, PA

For contractors scheduling blower door test in Folcroft, PA, most professionally insulated homes can quickly fix minor issues on-site during the testing process. 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.

Schedule Your blower door test in Folcroft, PA

Get trusted, professional, and certified blower door test in Folcroft, PA from our experienced technicians. Whether you’re improving a home’s efficiency or ensuring code compliance for a project, we perform every test with professionalism and attention to detail.