Blower Door Test in Morgantown, PA

Achieve peak energy efficiency and verify airtight construction with professional blower door test in Morgantown, PA. Our certified team helps homeowners, builders, and contractors locate air leaks, enhance indoor comfort, and meet all PA energy efficiency requirements.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test checks the number of air changes per hour in your home, ensuring old air is replaced with new, clean air for a healthier environment. Excessive air changes force constant reheating or recooling, driving up energy use and reducing overall home efficiency. Frequent air changes can cause drafts and discomfort from leaks, increasing the risk of indoor mold and condensation. A blower door test in Morgantown, 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?

In preparation for blower door test in Morgantown, PA, all exterior entry points are sealed, and interior doors are left open to allow consistent air circulation. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. 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 the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. A sensitive nanometer is used to monitor and compare the pressure difference between the blower fan and the home’s interior air. These measurements are used to calculate air changes per hour (ACH), which reflects the home’s airtightness and performance under PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Construction in Morgantown, PA must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or updated versions recognized by local authorities. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Reaching the target during your blower door test in Morgantown, PA guarantees lower energy consumption and full code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA, along with many city governments, enforces the IECC, which requires blower door test for residential projects after construction or renovation. We often work with home builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring blower door test in Morgantown, PA to meet local energy codes and obtain permit approval. You might also need a duct leakage test if HVAC systems or ducts are positioned outside the property’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Morgantown, 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, typically lasting only a few hours, offers a long-lasting impact on your home’s performance, efficiency, and comfort across PA’ seasons.

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.
  • Install insulation of the appropriate R-value and inspect to confirm it’s correctly fitted in all envelope areas.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Seal every transition point between conditioned and unconditioned environments, including attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
  • Local building departments often supply a detailed checklist to ensure compliance — you can download the Philadelphia example here for guidance.
  • With caulk, spray foam, and advanced thermal imaging, Local Energy Audits locates and seals leaks efficiently on-site./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 Morgantown, PA

Before starting blower door test in Morgantown, PA, we turn off all heating, air conditioning, and exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Next, we check the home thoroughly to ensure all exterior openings — even those leading to garages or unfinished basements — are securely closed and within the thermal envelope. After all openings are closed, we choose a central exterior door, install the blower door frame and fan, and depressurize the house to 50 Pascals to gauge airflow. Once pressure is lowered, outdoor air moves in with greater force, highlighting problem areas and leaks. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. We’re fully equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping to collaborate with homeowners or contractors in correcting visible air leakage issues immediately. Once sealing is finished, we conduct an instant retest to ensure the desired blower door score is reached, confirming compliance with Morgantown, PA building codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Morgantown, PA

When contractors perform blower door test in Morgantown, PA, minor issues in professionally insulated homes can usually be resolved during the inspection. Using simple yet effective materials like chalk and spray foam, we can seal most small leaks or gaps right during testing. In over 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and issue the full documentation needed to complete the building permit process on the same day.

Schedule Your blower door test in Morgantown, PA

Count on our skilled technicians for fast, precise, and certified blower door test in Morgantown, PA. Whether you’re enhancing indoor comfort or finalizing a construction permit, we conduct every test with accuracy, care, and full compliance with energy standards.