Blower Door Test in Malvern, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in Malvern, PA. Our trained team assists homeowners, builders, and contractors by detecting hidden air leaks, boosting comfort, and meeting PA energy regulations.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is conducted to assess air changes per hour inside a home or structure, ensuring the right balance between air leakage and fresh airflow. Too frequent air exchanges lead to energy waste, as every replacement requires reheating or recooling, decreasing your system’s efficiency. Excessive air leakage can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and contribute to issues like condensation, moisture, and mold inside the home. A blower door test in Malvern, PA helps uncover these issues early, enabling homeowners and builders to detect air leaks, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable, long-lasting home.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Malvern, PA, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. Technicians install a fabric panel and adjustable aluminum frame into one central exterior door opening. A calibrated fan is fitted into the frame and depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, mimicking the pressure caused by a 20 mph wind.

When the fan pulls indoor air outward, fresh air from outside rushes in through leaks and weak spots. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. From these readings, the number of air changes per hour (ACH) is determined, revealing the home’s airtightness and performance efficiency in PA.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes throughout Malvern, PA are required to satisfy the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most current version enforced by local regulators. Most areas recognize 3 air changes per hour or less as the target blower door test value to ensure energy efficiency. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Malvern, PA lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Across PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is adopted by the state and local jurisdictions, requiring blower door test on residential constructions and renovations. We often work with home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Malvern, PA to meet local energy codes and obtain permit approval. A duct leakage test requirement applies if ducts or HVAC units are positioned outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

A blower door test in Malvern, PA helps homeowners discover inefficiencies. Depressurizing the home makes leaks more noticeable and highlights where energy can be conserved. This simple test, completed in a few hours, creates a long-lasting impact on your home’s efficiency and comfort during PA’ hot and cold months.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Apply an effective air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, ensuring every seam is tightly sealed with proper tape.
  • 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.
  • Ensure complete sealing of all openings between conditioned rooms and unconditioned areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
  • Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./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 Malvern, PA

As part of preparing for blower door test in Malvern, PA, we power down the HVAC system along with kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. We follow with a quick walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are fully closed — including those that connect to garages, basements, or any part outside the thermal envelope. After sealing the home, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior doorway. The fan depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals to provide accurate airflow and leakage readings. Once the home is depressurized, outside air starts infiltrating more forcefully, making it easier to spot air leaks. Through the use of a thermal imager, we find problem zones by detecting uneven temperatures in walls, ceilings, and surfaces connected to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, allowing us to work directly with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage issues on-site. After sealing the identified leaks, we retest right away to confirm that the desired blower door score meets local energy performance standards in Malvern, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Malvern, PA

For contractors conducting blower door test in Malvern, PA, well-insulated homes generally require only minimal on-site corrections during the test. Using quick-application materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or openings are sealed right during testing. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and deliver all documents needed to finalize the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Malvern, PA

Receive professional, accurate, and certified blower door test in Malvern, PA from our highly skilled technicians. 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.