Blower Door Test in Glenside, PA

Improve insulation performance and meet energy code requirements through thorough blower door test in Glenside, PA. Our certified team partners with homeowners, builders, and contractors to uncover air leaks, enhance comfort, and ensure PA energy code adherence.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test helps calculate air changes per hour in your property. This natural air exchange process refreshes the indoor environment with new air. Too many air changes, however, can be detrimental because every time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, leading to higher energy use and lower efficiency. Too much ventilation can create drafts, discomfort, and unwanted effects like condensation, moisture accumulation, and mold inside your home. A blower door test in Glenside, PA assists in finding and sealing air leaks early to improve home comfort, energy efficiency, and overall durability.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For accurate blower door test in Glenside, PA, technicians close all exterior openings and keep interior doors open to balance airflow throughout the house. A central door to the outside is selected, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric cover is installed there. Next, a calibrated fan is mounted on the frame to reduce indoor pressure to 50 Pascals — similar to the force of a 20 mph wind on the building.

When the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. Using a highly accurate nanometer, we compare the fan-induced pressure to the natural air pressure inside the home. The test results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH), which determines the airtightness and performance level of the home in PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Glenside, PA, compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or subsequent locally adopted versions is typically mandatory for residential properties. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. Complying with this benchmark during a blower door test in Glenside, PA helps cut energy expenses and meet local building regulations.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA and local municipalities have implemented the IECC code, which mandates blower door test on new and remodeled residential homes. We routinely help home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Glenside, PA for energy code compliance and permit closure. You may also need a duct leakage test if your ductwork or HVAC equipment lies outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in Glenside, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during PA’ hot and cold months.

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 insulation with the appropriate R-value and ensure it is correctly fitted across the entire building envelope.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Make sure to seal all separations between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits technicians carry thermal imaging devices, caulk, and spray foam to pinpoint and seal air leaks immediately./li>
  • More than 90% of the time, our team delivers a passing score in less than two hours and completes the necessary permit paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Glenside, PA

As part of preparing for blower door test in Glenside, PA, we power down the HVAC system along with kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. We continue with a walkthrough inspection to confirm every exterior door and window is firmly closed — especially those to unconditioned spaces outside the thermal envelope. With all openings sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a main exterior door and use it to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals for precise testing results. When depressurization is complete, outside air flows in swiftly, allowing easy detection of leakage spots. A thermal imager allows us to pinpoint problem spots by highlighting temperature contrasts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces exposed 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. After sealing, we can immediately retest to confirm whether the desired blower door score has been reached, ensuring your home complies with local energy efficiency standards in Glenside, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Glenside, PA

When contractors schedule blower door test in Glenside, PA, professionally insulated homes often only need minor adjustments that can be handled during the test. With materials such as chalk and spray foam on hand, minor leaks or gaps can usually be sealed immediately. In over 90% of cases, we are able to reach a passing blower door test score in under two hours and supply all necessary paperwork to finalize the building permit right away.

Schedule Your blower door test in Glenside, PA

Receive professional, accurate, and certified blower door test in Glenside, PA from our highly skilled technicians. 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.