Blower Door Test in Richlandtown, PA

Detect hidden air leaks and improve efficiency with professional blower door test in Richlandtown, PA. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with PA building energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test measures the building’s air changes per hour, helping ensure indoor air is consistently refreshed. An excessive rate of air changes can be inefficient because each time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, raising energy costs. Excessive air leakage can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and contribute to issues like condensation, moisture, and mold inside the home. A blower door test in Richlandtown, PA helps uncover these issues early, enabling homeowners and builders to detect air leaks, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable, long-lasting home.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To perform blower door test in Richlandtown, PA, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. A calibrated fan is then attached to the frame and used to depressurize the home to 50 Pascals, which is about the same as a steady 20 mph wind pushing against the structure.

When air is drawn out by the fan, outdoor air seeps in through unsealed joints and hidden cracks. A nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. These measurements are used to calculate air changes per hour (ACH), which reflects the home’s airtightness and performance under PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes in Richlandtown, PA are typically required to follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most recent version adopted locally. A result of 3 air changes per hour or less is generally required in most areas to confirm the home’s energy efficiency. Reaching this target in your blower door test in Richlandtown, PA helps maintain lower energy bills and fulfills local code obligations.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA state regulations and many municipalities abide by the IECC, enforcing blower door tests for newly constructed or renovated homes. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Richlandtown, PA to verify compliance and secure permit approval. A duct leakage test might be necessary if your home’s HVAC units or ducts are located outside its thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

With blower door test in Richlandtown, PA, homeowners can pinpoint hidden air leaks. The depressurization process makes them obvious, enabling better sealing and lower energy costs. Typically completed within a few hours, a blower door test provides a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy efficiency, and overall home performance in PA’ varied climate.

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.
Install insulation of the appropriate R-value and inspect to confirm it’s correctly fitted in all envelope areas.
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.
Many cities provide compliance checklists through their building departments — see the Philadelphia version here.
Local Energy Audits uses professional-grade thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and close leaks during the visit./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 Richlandtown, PA

Getting ready for blower door test in Richlandtown, PA involves turning off all heating, cooling, and exhaust ventilation systems. After that, we check the entire home to confirm all exterior doors and windows are tightly secured — even those leading to garages, unfinished basements, or other spaces outside the thermal envelope. After sealing the home, the blower door fan is installed in a central exterior doorway and used to lower pressure to 50 Pascals to measure airflow and leakage effectively. When depressurization is complete, outside air flows in swiftly, allowing easy detection of leakage spots. A thermal imager helps us visualize temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces that separate conditioned and unconditioned spaces. We’re equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, so we can partner with homeowners or contractors to repair visible air leakage problems right on-site. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Richlandtown, PA efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Richlandtown, PA

Contractors planning blower door test in Richlandtown, PA can expect most professionally insulated homes to address small issues easily during the testing phase. Using simple yet effective materials like chalk and spray foam, we can seal most small leaks or gaps right during testing. In over 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and issue the full documentation needed to complete the building permit process on the same day.

888 213-3975

Schedule Your blower door test in Richlandtown, PA

Get dependable, efficient, and certified blower door test in Richlandtown, PA performed by our qualified and experienced experts. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking better efficiency or a contractor finalizing a build, we ensure every test aligns perfectly with energy code standards.

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