Blower Door Test in Plumsteadville, PA

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For accurate blower door test in Plumsteadville, PA, technicians close all exterior openings and keep interior doors open to balance airflow throughout the house. A single central exterior door is designated, where the blower door’s aluminum frame and fabric panel are set up. The technician mounts a calibrated fan to the frame to depressurize the house to 50 Pascals, roughly matching a 20 mph wind effect.

When the fan pulls air out, outdoor air enters the house through cracks, openings, and unsealed areas. By employing a nanometer, we measure the variance between the fan’s pressure and the internal home pressure. The gathered results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH) to determine how well-sealed and efficient the home is in the PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Plumsteadville, PA, energy efficiency standards for homes are based on the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more recent updates approved by the jurisdiction. A result of 3 air changes per hour or less is generally required in most areas to confirm the home’s energy efficiency. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Plumsteadville, PA lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

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. We regularly provide blower door test in Plumsteadville, PA for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close 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.

Performing blower door test in Plumsteadville, PA allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. Although it’s a short process, a blower door test produces a long-lasting impact by improving comfort and lowering energy costs throughout PA’ climate extremes.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

• Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
• Use high-quality air barrier materials like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and confirm all seams are perfectly taped.
• Use insulation of the correct R-value and confirm that it’s tightly installed throughout every section of 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 cracks and openings between conditioned interiors and unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
• Local building departments often supply a detailed checklist to ensure compliance — you can download the Philadelphia example here for guidance.
• Local Energy Audits brings thermal cameras, caulk, and spray foam to locate and seal leaks while performing on-site testing./li>
• Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.