Blower Door Test in Fountainville, PA

Ensure your home is sealed properly and energy-efficient with quality blower door test in Fountainville, 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 measures the air changes per hour within a home or building. Air exchange is a normal and healthy process that allows stale indoor air to be replaced with fresh air. When air changes occur too frequently, the heating or cooling system must work harder to stabilize temperatures, increasing energy use and lowering efficiency. Excessive ventilation can lead to unwanted drafts, air leakage discomfort, and potential mold, condensation, or moisture problems indoors. A blower door test in Fountainville, PA finds air leakage problems early, allowing better energy efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort for homeowners.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For blower door test in Fountainville, PA, all outside doors and windows are closed properly, and inside doors are kept open to balance air pressure throughout the space. An adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are placed within a central exterior doorway to conduct the test. A precisely calibrated fan is installed on the frame to reduce the air pressure inside to 50 Pascals, equal to a steady 20 mph wind outdoors.

When the fan depressurizes the home, outdoor air seeps in through leaks, crevices, and other air pathways. A sensitive device called a nanometer measures how the fan’s pressure relates to the home’s internal 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 Fountainville, PA, residential buildings must meet the benchmarks set by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer codes adopted locally. Typically, blower door test compliance means maintaining 3 air changes per hour or less for energy-efficient performance. Meeting this requirement during your blower door test in Fountainville, PA helps reduce energy costs while keeping your home compliant with local building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

In accordance with the IECC, the State of PA and various local authorities require blower door test for new or remodeled residential properties. We routinely help home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Fountainville, PA for energy code compliance and permit closure. A duct leakage test might be necessary if your home’s HVAC units or ducts are located outside its thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Fountainville, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. It only takes a few hours to perform a blower door test, but the long-lasting impact on comfort and efficiency is felt through PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Choose an appropriate air barrier, like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and ensure all seams are accurately and securely taped.
  • Install insulation that meets the required R-value and check that it’s evenly and securely placed throughout 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.
  • Eliminate air leaks by sealing all openings between conditioned areas and unconditioned spaces, including basements and attics.
  • Local authorities often publish checklists to confirm compliance — get the Philadelphia example here.
  • Our team at Local Energy Audits employs thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and repair leaks efficiently on-site./li>
  • In more than 90% of cases, we secure a passing score within two hours and deliver the paperwork needed to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Fountainville, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Fountainville, PA begins with switching off the HVAC system, as well as any bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. We then perform a brief inspection throughout the home to make sure all exterior doors and windows are tightly shut — even those opening to garages, basements, or spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once all doors and windows are sealed, we set up the blower door system in a centrally located exterior door and reduce air pressure to 50 Pascals to evaluate leakage. When the home reaches depressurization, outside air seeps in rapidly, helping identify leaks with greater accuracy. Using a thermal imager, we easily locate air leaks by noting temperature differences on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces adjacent to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, allowing us to work directly with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage issues on-site. We conduct a quick retest after sealing to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved and that your home adheres to Fountainville, PA energy efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Fountainville, PA

For contractors booking blower door test in Fountainville, PA, homes with quality insulation usually require only quick, on-site fixes during testing. 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 Fountainville, PA

Choose our professional team for quick, accurate, and certified blower door test in Fountainville, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.