Blower Door Test in New Hope, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in New Hope, PA. Our certified specialists support homeowners, builders, and contractors by locating hidden air leaks, improving efficiency, and achieving PA energy code compliance.

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. If air changes happen too often, it forces your system to reheat or recool the air repeatedly, wasting energy and lowering performance. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in New Hope, 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?

When performing blower door test in New Hope, PA, the technician ensures all exterior doors and windows are sealed and interior doors are open for steady air movement. Technicians select one central exterior door and install an adjustable aluminum frame along with a fabric panel for testing. A calibrated fan is used to depressurize the home through the frame to 50 Pascals, representing the same pressure as a 20 mph wind.

As the fan removes air, outside air naturally flows inside through leaks, joints, and other gaps. A precise tool called a nanometer is used to compare the pressure generated by the fan with that inside the home. The pressure data is turned into air changes per hour (ACH), a measure of how efficiently and tightly the home is sealed in PA.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In New Hope, PA, residential buildings must meet the benchmarks set by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer codes adopted locally. In most regions, homes must achieve 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test to meet energy efficiency standards. Complying with this benchmark during a blower door test in New Hope, PA helps cut energy expenses and meet local building regulations.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA and local municipalities have implemented the IECC code, which mandates blower door test on new and remodeled residential homes. Our certified technicians assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners with blower door test in New Hope, PA to meet energy requirements and wrap up permit approvals. If any part of the HVAC system or ductwork sits beyond the building’s thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may be required. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in New Hope, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. A short blower door test can result in a long-lasting impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and year-round performance in PA.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Choose an appropriate air barrier, like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and ensure all seams are accurately and securely taped.
  • 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.
  • Properly seal all connections between conditioned and unconditioned zones, including basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Using thermal imaging technology along with caulk and spray foam, Local Energy Audits identifies and seals leaks during the inspection./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 New Hope, PA

To prepare a home for blower door test in New Hope, PA, we shut off the HVAC system and disable all exhaust fans. We then perform a detailed walkthrough to verify that all exterior windows and doors are tightly shut, including any that lead to spaces beyond the thermal envelope. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. Once the structure is depressurized, outside air penetrates more actively, exposing any leaks and weak points. 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. Once leaks are addressed, we perform another test to confirm the desired blower door score and verify compliance with local efficiency regulations in New Hope, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in New Hope, PA

During blower door test in New Hope, PA, contractors will find that well-insulated homes can manage minor issues directly on-site. With tools such as chalk and spray foam, we can address small leaks or gaps without delay. In more than 90% of cases, we deliver a passing blower door test score within two hours and finalize all permit documentation immediately afterward.

Schedule Your blower door test in New Hope, PA

Count on our skilled technicians for fast, precise, and certified blower door test in New Hope, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming to enhance comfort or a contractor needing to close out a permit, we make sure each test complies with energy codes accurately and efficiently.