Blower Door Test in Oaks, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in Oaks, PA. Our skilled technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors find air leaks, increase comfort, and comply with PA energy standards.

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. Too many air exchanges make heating and cooling systems work harder, increasing energy consumption and lowering efficiency. When air changes occur too often, they can result in drafts, air leakage discomfort, and moisture-related problems such as condensation and mold. A blower door test in Oaks, PA identifies potential air leakage problems early so homeowners and builders can improve comfort, energy performance, and home durability.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Oaks, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. A central exterior door is used as the setup point, where an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are positioned. A precisely calibrated fan is installed on the frame to reduce the air pressure inside to 50 Pascals, equal to a steady 20 mph wind outdoors.

When indoor air is extracted, outdoor air pushes in through every leak and small gap in the building. With the help of a nanometer, we determine the pressure difference between the fan’s airflow and the home’s internal conditions. These values are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), a key measure of the home’s airtightness and its energy performance under PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Oaks, PA, all new homes must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more current codes enforced by local jurisdictions. To meet efficiency standards in most areas, homes should record 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test. Reaching this target in your blower door test in Oaks, PA helps maintain lower energy bills and fulfills local code obligations.

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. We provide support to home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Oaks, PA for meeting energy efficiency standards and finalizing permits. 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.

A blower door test in Oaks, PA helps homeowners discover inefficiencies. Depressurizing the home makes leaks more noticeable and highlights where energy can be conserved. A blower door test may take just a few hours, yet its long-lasting impact can greatly improve your home’s comfort and energy use across PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use a reliable air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and make sure all seams are securely taped.
  • Use insulation featuring the proper R-value and verify complete, gap-free coverage across 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.
  • Seal all openings between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
  • Our team at Local Energy Audits employs thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and repair 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 Oaks, PA

Before conducting blower door test in Oaks, PA, we make sure all heating, cooling, and ventilation fans are switched off. Next, our team walks through the home to verify that every exterior door and window is sealed shut — including access points to unfinished basements, garages, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. Once all doors and windows are sealed, we set up the blower door system in a centrally located exterior door and reduce air pressure to 50 Pascals to evaluate leakage. When the home reaches depressurization, outside air seeps in rapidly, helping identify leaks with greater accuracy. Using a thermal imager, we detect problem areas by observing temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces that connect to unconditioned spaces. 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. After the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting Oaks, PA energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Oaks, PA

Contractors arranging blower door test in Oaks, PA will find that homes with professional insulation can typically resolve small issues right on-site during testing. With readily available sealing materials like chalk and spray foam, we can repair minor leaks or gaps on the spot. In more than 90% of cases, our team secures a passing blower door test score within two hours and provides full documentation to complete the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Oaks, PA

Get professional-grade, efficient, and certified blower door test in Oaks, PA handled by our experienced staff. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.