Blower Door Test in Fort Washington, PA

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Fort Washington, PA. Our certified professionals work with homeowners, builders, and contractors to uncover hidden air leaks and guarantee compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test provides accurate data on air changes per hour, showing how efficiently fresh air circulates through your space. Too frequent air exchanges lead to energy waste, as every replacement requires reheating or recooling, decreasing your system’s efficiency. Too many air changes can create drafts and discomfort due to leaks and may also lead to condensation, moisture buildup, and mold growth indoors. A blower door test in Fort Washington, PA helps uncover these issues early, enabling homeowners and builders to detect air leaks, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable, long-lasting home.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Fort Washington, PA, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. A single central exterior door is designated, where the blower door’s aluminum frame and fabric panel are set up. Technicians mount a calibrated fan onto the frame to achieve 50 Pascals of depressurization — similar to a constant 20 mph wind acting on the home.

As the fan expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. Using an advanced nanometer, we evaluate the pressure difference between the fan system and the home’s interior environment. These measurements are used to calculate air changes per hour (ACH), which reflects the home’s airtightness and performance under PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes in Fort Washington, PA are typically required to follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most recent version adopted locally. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Meeting this level during your blower door test in Fort Washington, PA supports energy efficiency and verifies that your home meets local codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA, 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 regularly provide blower door test in Fort Washington, PA for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. A duct leakage test may also be necessary if any ducts or HVAC systems are positioned outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in Fort Washington, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. Although it’s a short process, a blower door test produces a long-lasting impact by improving comfort and lowering energy costs throughout PA’ climate extremes.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Install an effective air barrier, for example Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and make certain all seams are sealed with durable tape.
  • Use insulation that has the designated R-value and confirm it’s properly applied throughout the building envelope for maximum efficiency.
  • 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 local building offices offer a step-by-step checklist to confirm compliance — view the Philadelphia sample here.
  • Using thermal imaging technology along with caulk and spray foam, Local Energy Audits identifies and seals leaks during the inspection./li>
  • We achieve a passing score within two hours in more than 90% of tests and issue the documents to close the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Fort Washington, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Fort Washington, PA begins with switching off the HVAC system, as well as any bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. 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 sealing the home, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior doorway. The fan depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals to provide accurate airflow and leakage readings. Once the home is under depressurization, exterior air infiltrates faster through cracks, helping pinpoint leaks. A thermal imager helps us visualize temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces that separate conditioned and 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 sealing the identified leaks, we retest right away to confirm that the desired blower door score meets local energy performance standards in Fort Washington, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Fort Washington, PA

For contractors arranging blower door test in Fort Washington, PA, most homes with professional insulation can handle small air leakage issues during the test itself. Using materials like chalk and spray foam during the inspection, small leaks or gaps can be sealed right away. In over 90% of cases, we complete a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Fort Washington, PA

Get reliable, timely, and certified blower door test in Fort Washington, PA from our trained and experienced specialists. Whether you’re optimizing home comfort or finalizing construction approval, every test we perform adheres to energy code requirements with precision.