Blower Door Test in Harleysville, PA

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert blower door test in Harleysville, 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 is conducted to assess air changes per hour inside a home or structure, ensuring the right balance between air leakage and fresh airflow. When the air changes too often, energy efficiency drops since the system must continuously reheat or recool the air inside. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in Harleysville, PA enables early identification of air leaks, helping improve comfort, durability, and energy savings.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Harleysville, PA, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. Technicians select one central exterior door and install an adjustable aluminum frame along with a fabric panel for testing. The mounted calibrated fan depressurizes the building to 50 Pascals, a condition similar to the effect of a 20 mph wind.

As the fan expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. The data is converted into air changes per hour (ACH), identifying how tightly sealed and energy-efficient the house is in PA.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Harleysville, PA, all new homes must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more current codes enforced by local jurisdictions. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Harleysville, PA lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

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. Our company assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners who rely on blower door test in Harleysville, PA to fulfill energy code compliance and finalize construction permits. A duct leakage test may also be performed when ductwork or HVAC equipment extends beyond the thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in Harleysville, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. A blower door test requires minimal time but makes a long-lasting impact on home comfort and energy performance during PA’ extreme temperatures.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use materials like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and ensure every seam is well taped for best results.
  • 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.
  • Ensure complete sealing of all openings between conditioned rooms and unconditioned areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Many cities provide compliance checklists through their building departments — see the Philadelphia version here.
  • Local Energy Audits provides on-site leak detection and sealing using advanced thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam./li>
  • Over 90% of cases result in a passing score within two hours, along with complete permit documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Harleysville, PA

To prepare for blower door test in Harleysville, PA, we start by turning off the heating and cooling system, along with all bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust fans. Next, we conduct a quick walkthrough of the home, confirming that all exterior doors and windows are securely closed — including those to unfinished basements, garages, or any area outside the thermal envelope. Once all openings are sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door. The fan then lowers the pressure to 50 Pascals for precise leakage measurement. Once the home is depressurized, outside air starts infiltrating more forcefully, making it easier to spot air leaks. By using a thermal imager, we can spot temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that indicate leaks into unconditioned areas. Our technicians bring chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping supplies to handle visible air leakage issues directly with homeowners or contractors on-site. After completing sealing improvements, we retest immediately to ensure the desired blower door score is met and the home complies with efficiency standards in Harleysville, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Harleysville, PA

Contractors scheduling blower door test in Harleysville, PA often see that homes with proper insulation can correct minor air leaks while testing is underway. Using simple yet effective materials like chalk and spray foam, we can seal most small leaks or gaps right during testing. In over 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and issue the full documentation needed to complete the building permit process on the same day.

Schedule Your blower door test in Harleysville, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Harleysville, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking greater comfort or a contractor finalizing a permit, we ensure every test meets energy code requirements with precision and professionalism.