Blower Door Test in Hereford, PA

Maintain compliance with energy codes and reduce energy loss using expert blower door test in Hereford, PA. Our certified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting hidden air leaks, boosting comfort, and ensuring full compliance with PA energy codes.

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. Having too many air changes can waste energy because each new cycle demands the air be reheated or recooled, cutting overall 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 Hereford, 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?

When blower door test in Hereford, PA is conducted, every exterior door and window is closed, and interior doors are left open to achieve uniform air movement inside. One chosen exterior door is equipped with an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel for test installation. A calibrated fan mounted on the frame reduces the home’s pressure to 50 Pascals, simulating the force of a continuous 20 mph wind.

As the fan exhausts indoor air, outside air starts seeping into the home through small leaks and gaps. With the help of a nanometer, we determine the pressure difference between the fan’s airflow and the home’s internal conditions. These readings produce the air changes per hour (ACH) value, indicating both the home’s airtightness and efficiency within the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Hereford, PA, residential properties must meet the energy efficiency criteria outlined in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or updated local versions. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. Satisfying this requirement in your blower door test in Hereford, PA helps optimize energy use and ensures you meet local building standards.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both PA and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. Our experts assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Hereford, PA to ensure compliance with energy codes and complete final permits. If any part of the HVAC system or ductwork sits beyond the building’s thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may be required. Learn more about energy code compliance.

By performing blower door test in Hereford, PA, homeowners can identify where conditioned air escapes. Depressurization makes leaks visible, uncovering ways to enhance comfort and efficiency. Typically completed within a few hours, a blower door test provides a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy efficiency, and overall home performance in PA’ varied climate.

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 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.
  • Seal gaps and openings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • Many cities provide compliance checklists through their building departments — see the Philadelphia version here.
  • Equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits can find and fix leaks directly at your property./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 Hereford, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Hereford, PA begins with switching off the HVAC system, as well as any bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. Next, our team walks through the home to verify that every exterior door and window is sealed shut — including access points to unfinished basements, garages, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. After sealing everything, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door and use it to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals for accurate airflow data. When the home reaches negative pressure, outside air infiltrates through openings, making leaks visible. A thermal imager allows precise detection of problem areas by mapping temperature contrasts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces facing unconditioned areas. Our technicians arrive with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, ready to work with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage problems right away. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Hereford, PA energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Hereford, PA

For contractors coordinating blower door test in Hereford, PA, most well-insulated properties can quickly take care of small issues during the testing process. Using easy-to-apply materials like chalk and spray foam, we can correct small leaks or gaps during the test itself. In over 90% of cases, we successfully reach a passing blower door test score within two hours and hand over all necessary paperwork for immediate permit closure.

Schedule Your blower door test in Hereford, PA

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Hereford, PA performed by our qualified and experienced experts. Whether you’re improving your home’s comfort or closing a building permit, our tests are performed with care and meet all energy efficiency codes.