Blower Door Test in Hockessin, DE

Ensure your home is sealed properly and energy-efficient with quality blower door test in Hockessin, DE. Our skilled technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors find air leaks, increase comfort, and comply with DE energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is designed to measure air changes per hour inside homes, promoting a balance between airtightness and necessary ventilation. Too many air changes can negatively impact efficiency, as every replacement of indoor air demands additional heating or cooling energy. Excessive air changes can also lead to drafts and discomfort caused by air leaks, along with moisture, condensation, and mold problems inside the home. A blower door test in Hockessin, DE helps pinpoint problem areas early, improving insulation performance, comfort, and home lifespan.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When performing blower door test in Hockessin, DE, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. One central exterior entry is selected, and an aluminum frame with a flexible fabric panel is installed securely. 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 creates negative pressure, outside air infiltrates the home through gaps and small openings. Using a nanometer, we accurately compare the pressure difference between the fan output and the home’s interior. From these readings, the number of air changes per hour (ACH) is determined, revealing the home’s airtightness and performance efficiency in DE.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Houses in Hockessin, DE are required to meet the standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted version. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. When your blower door test in Hockessin, DEmeets this requirement, you benefit from reduced energy bills and code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of DE and local municipalities have implemented the IECC code, which mandates blower door test on new and remodeled residential homes. We provide support to home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Hockessin, DE for meeting energy efficiency standards and finalizing permits. If ducts or HVAC units are located outside the thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may also be mandated. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Performing blower door test in Hockessin, DE allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. A blower door test, typically lasting only a few hours, offers a long-lasting impact on your home’s performance, efficiency, and comfort across DE’ seasons.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use a trusted air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, ensuring all joints and seams are properly taped and sealed.
  • Use insulation with the right R-value and confirm it is properly installed 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.
  • Close any gaps connecting conditioned and unconditioned spaces, such as those leading to basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Our professionals at Local Energy Audits use caulk, spray foam, and thermal imaging to detect and seal leaks on-site for better efficiency./li>
  • Over 90% of projects pass within two hours, and we immediately provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Hockessin, DE

As part of preparing for blower door test in Hockessin, DE, we power down the HVAC system along with kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. After that, we check the entire home to confirm all exterior doors and windows are tightly secured — even those leading to garages, unfinished basements, or other spaces outside the thermal envelope. Once preparation is complete, the blower door fan and frame are installed in a centrally located exterior door. The fan then reduces pressure to 50 Pascals, allowing accurate leakage assessment. Once depressurization is achieved, the inflow of outside air intensifies, making air leaks easier to find and fix. A thermal imager helps highlight problem zones by detecting temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and areas connected to unconditioned spaces. We’re equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, so we can partner with homeowners or contractors to repair visible air leakage problems right on-site. After the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Hockessin, DE energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Hockessin, DE

When contractors perform blower door test in Hockessin, DE, minor issues in professionally insulated homes can usually be resolved during the inspection. Using professional-grade materials like chalk and spray foam, we seal small leaks or gaps as soon as they’re detected. In over 90% of cases, our technicians achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and supply all necessary documentation to finalize the building permit efficiently.

Schedule Your blower door test in Hockessin, DE

Get professional-grade, efficient, and certified blower door test in Hockessin, DE handled by our experienced staff. Whether you’re improving a home’s efficiency or ensuring code compliance for a project, we perform every test with professionalism and attention to detail.