Blower Door Test in Hereford, PA

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert blower door test in Hereford, PA. Our certified technicians provide homeowners, builders, and contractors with expert air leak detection, better comfort, and complete PA energy code compliance.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test measures the building’s air changes per hour, helping ensure indoor air is consistently refreshed. Excessive air changes force constant reheating or recooling, driving up energy use and reducing overall home 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 Hereford, 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 perform blower door test in Hereford, PA, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. One central exterior entry is selected, and an aluminum frame with a flexible fabric panel is installed securely. A calibrated fan is placed within the frame and operated to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals — nearly the same as a 20 mph wind hitting the building.

As the fan exhausts indoor air, outside air starts seeping into the home through small leaks and gaps. By employing a nanometer, we measure the variance between the fan’s pressure and the internal home pressure. These values are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), a key measure of the home’s airtightness and its energy performance under PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Hereford, PA, all new homes must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more current codes enforced by local jurisdictions. To meet efficiency standards in most areas, homes should record 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test. 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?

In accordance with the IECC, the State of PA and various local authorities require blower door test for new or remodeled residential properties. We regularly provide blower door test in Hereford, PA for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. A duct leakage test may also be necessary if any ducts or HVAC systems are positioned outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Hereford, PA can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. 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.
  • Apply an appropriate air barrier, such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, making sure every seam is correctly taped for maximum performance.
  • Apply the correct R-value insulation and verify that it’s properly fitted to seal the whole 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 every transition point between conditioned and unconditioned environments, including attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
  • Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
  • Local Energy Audits is equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam to find and seal air leaks immediately on-site./li>
  • Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Hereford, PA

Before conducting blower door test in Hereford, PA, we make sure all heating, cooling, and ventilation fans are switched off. We perform a quick check throughout the property, making sure all exterior windows and doors — including those to unfinished or non-conditioned areas — are sealed, maintaining the thermal envelope. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. Once depressurization is achieved, the inflow of outside air intensifies, making air leaks easier to find and fix. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. We carry all necessary materials, including chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, to collaborate with homeowners or contractors on visible air leakage repairs during testing. Once sealing is finished, we conduct an instant retest to ensure the desired blower door score is reached, confirming compliance with Hereford, PA building codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Hereford, PA

Contractors booking blower door test in Hereford, PA can rest assured that most homes with professional insulation can easily handle small fixes during testing. With chalk and spray foam on hand, our crew can seal small leaks or gaps almost instantly. In over 90% of cases, we reach a passing blower door test score in two hours and issue the required documentation for quick permit closure.

Schedule Your blower door test in Hereford, PA

Enjoy fast response, professional service, and certified results with blower door test in Hereford, PA from our expert team. Whether you’re enhancing comfort at home or wrapping up a construction project, we perform every test with accuracy and full compliance with energy codes.