Blower Door Test in Jenkintown, PA

Evaluate your home’s air leakage and achieve energy compliance with precise blower door test in Jenkintown, 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 determines the air changes per hour of a house or building, ensuring proper ventilation as old air cycles out and fresh air flows in. Too many air changes, however, can be detrimental because every time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, leading to higher energy use and lower 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 Jenkintown, PA finds air leakage problems early, allowing better energy efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort for homeowners.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When performing blower door test in Jenkintown, PA, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. Technicians install a fabric panel and adjustable aluminum frame into one central exterior door opening. Next, a calibrated fan is mounted on the frame to reduce indoor pressure to 50 Pascals — similar to the force of a 20 mph wind on the building.

When the fan starts pulling air out, external air enters through the smallest cracks and leakage points. A sensitive nanometer is used to monitor and compare the pressure difference between the blower fan and the home’s interior air. 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?

Residential buildings in Jenkintown, PA must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Meeting this benchmark in your blower door test in Jenkintown, PA reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Following the IECC guidelines, PA and many local jurisdictions require blower door test on newly built or renovated residential dwellings. We specialize in helping home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in Jenkintown, PA to achieve energy code compliance and finalize inspections. You may be required to perform a duct leakage test if HVAC components are situated outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

By performing blower door test in Jenkintown, PA, homeowners can identify where conditioned air escapes. Depressurization makes leaks visible, uncovering ways to enhance comfort and efficiency. A blower door test may take just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact can greatly improve your home’s comfort and energy use across PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Employ an appropriate air barrier system such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and verify that each seam has been correctly taped.
  • 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 joints and gaps that connect conditioned and unconditioned areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Local permitting offices often offer official compliance checklists — review the Philadelphia sample here for reference.
  • Equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam, Local Energy Audits can find and fix leaks directly at your property./li>
  • Over 90% of the time, we complete testing with a passing score in two hours or less and handle all permit paperwork on-site.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Jenkintown, PA

We start the process of blower door test in Jenkintown, PA by ensuring all heating, air conditioning, and exhaust systems are turned off. 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. 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. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and unconditioned areas. Using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we assist homeowners and contractors in addressing visible air leakage areas on-site. Once leaks are addressed, we perform another test to confirm the desired blower door score and verify compliance with local efficiency regulations in Jenkintown, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Jenkintown, PA

Contractors arranging blower door test in Jenkintown, PA will find that homes with professional insulation can typically resolve small issues right on-site during testing. Using readily available materials like chalk and spray foam, our team can seal small leaks and gaps on-site in minutes. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide complete documentation to finalize the building permit without delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Jenkintown, PA

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Jenkintown, PA delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on efficiency or a contractor working to close a permit, we ensure each test is conducted with precision and meets all energy code standards.