Blower Door Test in Mendenhall, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in Mendenhall, PA. Our professional technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors identify air leaks, improve home comfort, and satisfy PA energy code regulations.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test evaluates air changes per hour, showing how often indoor air is replaced by fresh outdoor air — a process essential for healthy living spaces. Too many air exchanges make heating and cooling systems work harder, increasing energy consumption 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 Mendenhall, PA makes it easier to locate leaks and inefficiencies early, ensuring lasting comfort and reduced energy waste.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To perform blower door test in Mendenhall, PA, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. A central exterior door is picked, where the technician fits an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel for airtight testing. A calibrated fan is then attached to the frame and used to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals, which is about the same as a steady 20 mph wind pushing against the structure.

When air is drawn out by the fan, outdoor air seeps in through unsealed joints and hidden cracks. A precise nanometer instrument allows us to compare the pressure generated by the fan to that within the house. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Mendenhall, PA, all new homes must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more current codes enforced by local jurisdictions. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. When your blower door test in Mendenhall, PA meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

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. Our company assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners who rely on blower door test in Mendenhall, PA to fulfill energy code compliance and finalize construction permits. A duct leakage test is sometimes required if any HVAC components or duct lines are found beyond the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Mendenhall, PA, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. A blower door test is quick to perform but offers a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy savings, and home efficiency across all PAclimates.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Install a quality air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and confirm that all joints and seams are completely 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.
  • Close any gaps connecting conditioned and unconditioned spaces, such as those leading to basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
  • Local jurisdictions frequently publish compliance checklists — the Philadelphia version can be downloaded here.
  • Local Energy Audits uses professional-grade thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and close leaks during the visit./li>
  • Over 90% of the time, we achieve a passing score in under two hours and provide all required documentation to finalize the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Mendenhall, PA

To properly prepare for blower door test in Mendenhall, PA, the HVAC system and all bathroom and kitchen fans are turned off. We then perform a brief inspection throughout the home to make sure all exterior doors and windows are tightly shut — even those opening to garages, basements, or spaces outside the thermal envelope. After sealing everything, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door and use it to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals for accurate airflow data. After the home is depressurized, incoming outdoor air becomes more intense, making leak points easy to locate. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficient areas by tracking temperature changes in walls, ceilings, and surfaces bordering 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 the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Mendenhall, PA energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Mendenhall, PA

Contractors scheduling blower door test in Mendenhall, PA often see that homes with proper insulation can correct minor air leaks while testing is underway. Using materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps can typically be sealed right away during the test. In over 90% of cases, we successfully achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and promptly deliver all required documentation to close out the building permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Mendenhall, PA

Trust our experienced team for quick, accurate, and certified blower door test in Mendenhall, PA. 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.