Blower Door Test in Hillsborough, NJ

Achieve peak energy efficiency and verify airtight construction with professional blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with NJ building energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test helps determine the air changes per hour to confirm that your home has sufficient fresh air replacement. When air changes occur too frequently, the heating or cooling system must work harder to stabilize temperatures, increasing energy use and lowering efficiency. Too many air changes can result in drafts and leaks that create discomfort and lead to moisture, mold, and condensation issues. A blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ identifies potential air leakage problems early so homeowners and builders can improve comfort, energy performance, and home durability.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To perform blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. After setup, a calibrated fan is attached to the frame to lower the air pressure inside the house to 50 Pascals, equivalent to a 20 mph wind.

When indoor air is extracted, outdoor air pushes in through every leak and small gap in the building. By employing a nanometer, we measure the variance between the fan’s pressure and the internal home pressure. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in NJ conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Hillsborough, NJ, compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or subsequent locally adopted versions is typically mandatory for residential properties. In many locations, a result of 3 air changes per hour or less is required to verify the home’s energy efficiency level. Reaching the target during your blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ guarantees lower energy consumption and full code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of NJ and its local governments follow the IECC standards, which require blower door test on newly built or remodeled residential dwellings. Our team regularly helps home builders, contractors, and homeowners seeking blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ to satisfy energy code standards and close final inspections. A duct leakage test might be required when HVAC units or ductwork are installed beyond the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

With blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ, homeowners can pinpoint hidden air leaks. The depressurization process makes them obvious, enabling better sealing and lower energy costs. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during NJ’ hot and cold months.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Select a proper air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and ensure every seam is thoroughly taped for airtight sealing.
  • Ensure insulation with the specified R-value is properly installed and fitted throughout 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.
  • Seal all openings between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Most building departments provide detailed compliance resources — view the Philadelphia checklist example here.
  • At Local Energy Audits, we utilize thermal imaging equipment, caulk, and spray foam to identify and fix air leaks during testing./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 Hillsborough, NJ

To prepare for blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ, we start by turning off the heating and cooling system, along with all bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust fans. We proceed with a quick home walkthrough, checking that every exterior door and window is tightly shut — including ones that lead to unfinished or unconditioned spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once everything is sealed, we choose a centrally located exterior door and set up the blower door frame and fan. The fan then depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, allowing us to measure airflow and leakage precisely. Once depressurization occurs, outdoor air enters the home more aggressively, revealing leaks more clearly. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and 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 the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Hillsborough, NJ efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Hillsborough, NJ

For contractors overseeing blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ, most properly insulated homes can manage small on-site repairs during testing. Using materials like chalk and spray foam during the inspection, small leaks or gaps can be sealed right away. In over 90% of cases, we complete a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ

Enjoy fast response, professional service, and certified results with blower door test in Hillsborough, NJ from our expert team. 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.