Blower Door Test in Newtown Square, PA

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Newtown Square, 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. Frequent air replacement can harm energy performance, as each exchange requires reheating or recooling the air. Too much ventilation can create drafts, discomfort, and unwanted effects like condensation, moisture accumulation, and mold inside your home. A blower door test in Newtown Square, PA allows early detection of air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost efficiency and maintain a comfortable, durable living environment.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To carry out blower door test in Newtown Square, PA, exterior doors and windows are fully closed, and interior doors are left open for even air distribution in the home. One main exterior door is identified, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric panel is securely attached. 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 nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. 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?

Properties in Newtown Square, PA must meet the efficiency guidelines of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest version adopted locally. To meet efficiency standards in most areas, homes should record 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test. When your blower door test in Newtown Square, PAmeets this requirement, you benefit from reduced energy bills and code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA, together with many cities and counties, enforces the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which calls for blower door test on new or renovated residential properties. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Newtown Square, PA to verify compliance and secure permit approval. A duct leakage test can be required when ducts or HVAC components are installed outside the structure’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Newtown Square, PA, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. Taking only a few hours, a blower door test creates a long-lasting impact by improving comfort, performance, and efficiency in PAhomes.

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.
  • 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.
  • Make sure to seal all separations between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
  • Local Energy Audits is equipped with thermal imaging tools, caulk, and spray foam to find and seal air leaks immediately 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 Newtown Square, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Newtown Square, PA includes turning off the air conditioning, heating, and all exhaust fans to ensure accurate results. We perform a quick check throughout the property, making sure all exterior windows and doors — including those to unfinished or non-conditioned areas — are sealed, maintaining 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 under depressurization, exterior air infiltrates faster through cracks, helping pinpoint leaks. Using a thermal imager, we easily locate air leaks by noting temperature differences on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces adjacent to unconditioned spaces. Our team provides on-site repair using chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, working with homeowners or contractors to fix visible air leakage problems. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Newtown Square, PA energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Newtown Square, PA

For contractors arranging blower door test in Newtown Square, PA, most homes with professional insulation can handle small air leakage issues during the test itself. By applying materials such as chalk and spray foam, small leaks or gaps are often sealed on the spot. In over 90% of cases, we manage to secure a passing blower door test score within just two hours and immediately provide all necessary paperwork to close out the permit process.

Schedule Your blower door test in Newtown Square, PA

Experience prompt, professional, and certified blower door test in Newtown Square, PA from our knowledgeable team. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.