Blower Door Test in Norristown, PA

Confirm your home’s energy performance and identify leaks through accurate blower door test in Norristown, 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 designed to measure air changes per hour inside homes, promoting a balance between airtightness and necessary ventilation. When a home experiences excessive air changes, the HVAC system must reheat or recool more frequently, increasing energy use and reducing efficiency. Excessive air changes often cause drafts, discomfort, and humidity-related issues such as condensation and mold growth inside the home. A blower door test in Norristown, PA detects early-stage air leaks, enabling effective energy use and a more durable, comfortable living environment.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To perform blower door test in Norristown, PA, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. One primary exterior doorway is used, where a flexible aluminum frame and fabric panel are mounted tightly. Technicians mount a calibrated fan onto the frame to achieve 50 Pascals of depressurization — similar to a constant 20 mph wind acting on the home.

When air is drawn out by the fan, outdoor air seeps in through unsealed joints and hidden cracks. A precise tool called a nanometer is used to compare the pressure generated by the fan with that inside the home. Measurements are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), showing how effectively the home retains conditioned air in the PA environment.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Properties in Norristown, PA must meet the efficiency guidelines of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest version adopted locally. In most locations, 3 air changes per hour or less is the standard blower door test result for efficient home performance. Meeting this benchmark in your blower door test in Norristown, PA reduces ongoing energy costs while ensuring local regulatory compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both PA and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Norristown, PA to ensure compliance and successful project completion. If ducts or HVAC units are located outside the thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may also be mandated. Learn more about energy code compliance.

By performing blower door test in Norristown, PA, homeowners can identify where conditioned air escapes. Depressurization makes leaks visible, uncovering ways to enhance comfort and efficiency. 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.
  • Use a trusted air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, ensuring all joints and seams are properly taped and sealed.
  • 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.
  • Close and seal every opening between heated or cooled spaces and unconditioned areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Most building departments provide detailed compliance resources — view the Philadelphia checklist example here.
  • Local Energy Audits uses professional-grade thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and close leaks during the visit./li>
  • We achieve a passing score within two hours in over 90% of cases and promptly issue the documents to finalize your permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Norristown, PA

For blower door test in Norristown, PA, preparation includes turning off all heating and air conditioning units, plus bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. 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. With the home sealed, we select a main exterior door, install the blower door setup, and use the fan to depressurize to 50 Pascals, enabling accurate airflow measurement. After depressurization, air from outside rushes in through cracks and gaps, making leak detection much easier. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and unconditioned areas. Our team brings chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping supplies to every job, enabling us to collaborate with homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage areas immediately. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Norristown, PA energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Norristown, PA

Contractors booking blower door test in Norristown, PA can rest assured that most homes with professional insulation can easily handle small fixes during testing. Using professional-grade materials like chalk and spray foam, we seal small leaks or gaps as soon as they’re detected. In over 90% of cases, our technicians achieve a passing blower door test score within just two hours and supply all necessary documentation to finalize the building permit efficiently.

Schedule Your blower door test in Norristown, PA

Choose our professional team for quick, accurate, and certified blower door test in Norristown, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.