Blower Door Test in Paoli, PA

Achieve peak energy efficiency and verify airtight construction with professional blower door test in Paoli, PA. Our qualified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting air leaks, optimizing comfort, and maintaining compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test measures the air changes per hour within a home or building. Air exchange is a normal and healthy process that allows stale indoor air to be replaced with fresh air. Too frequent air replacement can reduce efficiency since every exchange requires your system to use more energy for heating or cooling. 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 Paoli, PA helps homeowners and builders find and fix leaks promptly, boosting energy efficiency and indoor comfort for years to come.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Paoli, PA, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. An adjustable aluminum frame and sturdy fabric panel are installed in one central exterior door to prepare for testing. Next, a calibrated fan is mounted on the frame to reduce indoor pressure to 50 Pascals — similar to the force of a 20 mph wind on the building.

As the fan expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. A sensitive device called a nanometer measures how the fan’s pressure relates to the home’s internal air pressure. These readings produce the air changes per hour (ACH) value, indicating both the home’s airtightness and efficiency within the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Properties in Paoli, PA must meet the efficiency guidelines of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest version adopted locally. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. Meeting this requirement during your blower door test in Paoli, PA helps reduce energy costs while keeping your home compliant with local building codes.

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 Paoli, PA to meet energy requirements and wrap up permit approvals. 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 Paoli, 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 usually takes just a few hours but delivers a long-lasting impact on your home’s comfort, performance, and efficiency—particularly during PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Install a quality air barrier like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and confirm that all joints and seams are completely taped.
  • Place insulation with the accurate R-value and check for proper installation and full coverage in 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.
  • Local building authorities commonly offer checklists to verify code compliance — review the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./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 Paoli, PA

To ensure accuracy during blower door test in Paoli, PA, we begin by switching off the HVAC system and all exhaust fans in the home. We proceed with a quick home walkthrough, checking that every exterior door and window is tightly shut — including ones that lead to unfinished or unconditioned spaces outside 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 home is under depressurization, exterior air infiltrates faster through cracks, helping pinpoint leaks. 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. Once sealing is complete, we perform an immediate retest to verify that the desired blower door score is achieved and that your home meets all energy efficiency requirements in Paoli, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Paoli, PA

Contractors arranging blower door test in Paoli, PA will find that homes with professional insulation can typically resolve small issues right on-site during testing. 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 Paoli, PA

Trust our experienced team for quick, accurate, and certified blower door test in Paoli, PA. Whether you’re improving your home’s comfort or closing a building permit, our tests are performed with care and meet all energy efficiency codes.