Blower Door Test in Princeton, NJ

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Princeton, NJ. Our certified specialists support homeowners, builders, and contractors by locating hidden air leaks, improving efficiency, and achieving NJ energy code compliance.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test checks the number of air changes per hour in your home, ensuring old air is replaced with new, clean air for a healthier environment. Too many air changes can negatively impact efficiency, as every replacement of indoor air demands additional heating or cooling energy. Excessive air circulation may cause drafts, discomfort from leaks, and indoor problems like condensation, mold, and moisture damage. A blower door test in Princeton, NJ helps homeowners and builders find and fix leaks promptly, boosting energy efficiency and indoor comfort for years to come.

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When blower door test in Princeton, NJ is conducted, every exterior door and window is closed, and interior doors are left open to achieve uniform air movement inside. Technicians select one central exterior door and install an adjustable aluminum frame along with a fabric panel 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.

When the fan starts pulling air out, external air enters through the smallest cracks and leakage points. A nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. The data is converted into air changes per hour (ACH), identifying how tightly sealed and energy-efficient the house is in NJ.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Houses in Princeton, NJ are required to meet the standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the latest locally adopted version. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Meeting this level during your blower door test in Princeton, NJ supports energy efficiency and verifies that your home meets local codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of NJ and numerous local municipalities adhere to the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which mandates blower door test for all newly built or renovated residential homes. We often collaborate with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who require blower door test in Princeton, NJ to meet energy efficiency standards and close permits. A duct leakage test is often required whenever ducts or HVAC units are found outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners who choose blower door test in Princeton, NJ can easily locate leaks. As the fan depressurizes the home, airflow through gaps becomes apparent, exposing areas needing improvement. It only takes a few hours to perform a blower door test, but the long-lasting impact on comfort and efficiency is felt through NJ’ hot summers and cool winters.

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.
  • Install insulation with the appropriate R-value and ensure it is correctly fitted across 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.
  • Seal cracks and openings between conditioned interiors and unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
  • Local permitting offices often offer official compliance checklists — review the Philadelphia sample here for reference.
  • Local Energy Audits identifies and repairs leaks on-site using thermal imaging tools, caulk, and high-quality spray foam./li>
  • Over 90% of our projects pass within two hours, with all required paperwork issued immediately to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Princeton, NJ

Getting ready for blower door test in Princeton, NJ involves turning off all heating, cooling, and exhaust ventilation systems. A brief walkthrough follows, during which we verify all exterior windows and doors — even those leading to unconditioned spaces — are closed tight to preserve 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. Once the structure is depressurized, outside air penetrates more actively, exposing any leaks and weak points. With the help of a thermal imager, we can uncover leaks and weak spots by spotting temperature differences across walls, ceilings, and surfaces near unconditioned spaces. Equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we can directly assist homeowners or contractors in resolving visible air leakage problems on-site. 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 Princeton, NJ.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Princeton, NJ

For contractors booking blower door test in Princeton, NJ, homes with quality insulation usually require only quick, on-site fixes during testing. Using easy-to-apply materials like chalk and spray foam, we can correct small leaks or gaps during the test itself. In over 90% of cases, we successfully reach a passing blower door test score within two hours and hand over all necessary paperwork for immediate permit closure.

Schedule Your blower door test in Princeton, NJ

Count on our team for fast, professional, and certified blower door test in Princeton, NJ with dependable results. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.