Blower Door Test in Hatboro, PA

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Hatboro, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. A central exterior door is picked, where the technician fits an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel for airtight testing. 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.

When the fan depressurizes the home, outdoor air seeps in through leaks, crevices, and other air pathways. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Construction in Hatboro, PA must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or updated versions recognized by local authorities. An acceptable blower door test result in most areas is 3 air changes per hour or less, demonstrating solid energy performance. Passing this requirement during a blower door test in Hatboro, PA keeps your home efficient and aligned with local building code standards.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA and its local governments follow the IECC standards, which require blower door test on newly built or remodeled residential dwellings. We often work with home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Hatboro, PA to meet local energy codes and obtain permit approval. A duct leakage test could be required when air ducts or HVAC units extend outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

With blower door test in Hatboro, PA, homeowners can detect where energy is being wasted. As the fan depressurizes the house, leaks are revealed, highlighting areas for sealing and savings. blower door test in Hatboro, PA provides homeowners with clear insights into energy loss. When the fan creates pressure differences, leaks are exposed, allowing for easy detection and repair. A short blower door test can result in a long-lasting impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and year-round performance in PA.

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.
• Use insulation featuring the proper R-value and verify complete, gap-free coverage across 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.
• Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
• Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./li>
• Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.