Blower Door Test in Ridley Park, PA

Find and fix air leaks while improving performance through reliable blower door test in Ridley Park, PA. Our certified professionals work with homeowners, builders, and contractors to uncover hidden air leaks and guarantee compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test evaluates air changes per hour, showing how often indoor air is replaced by fresh outdoor air — a process essential for healthy living spaces. Frequent air replacement can harm energy performance, as each exchange requires reheating or recooling the air. Excessive air changes can also lead to drafts and discomfort caused by air leaks, along with moisture, condensation, and mold problems inside the home. A blower door test in Ridley Park, PA enables early identification of air leaks, helping improve comfort, durability, and energy savings.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

When conducting blower door test in Ridley Park, PA, technicians close all exterior doors and windows and keep interior doors open for consistent air movement. A central door to the outside is selected, and an adjustable aluminum frame with a fabric cover is installed there. Technicians mount a calibrated fan onto the frame to achieve 50 Pascals of depressurization — similar to a constant 20 mph wind acting on the home.

When air is pulled from the home, outside air finds its way in through cracks and unsealed openings. Using an advanced nanometer, we evaluate the pressure difference between the fan system and the home’s interior environment. 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 Ridley Park, PA, residential buildings must meet the benchmarks set by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer codes adopted locally. In most jurisdictions, 3 air changes per hour or less is the benchmark for acceptable blower door test results and energy efficiency. When your blower door test in Ridley Park, PA meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Both PA and local jurisdictions adopt the IECC energy code, making blower door test mandatory for new and renovated residential structures. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Ridley Park, PA to verify compliance and secure permit approval. You may also need a duct leakage test if your ductwork or HVAC equipment lies outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Ridley Park, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. A blower door test takes only a short time to complete but can have a lasting effect on your home’s comfort and energy efficiency through PA’ hot and cool seasons.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Use Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and carefully tape all seams to prevent air leakage.
  • Fit insulation with the correct R-value and make sure it’s installed without voids 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.
  • Close gaps and penetrations between conditioned zones and unconditioned sections like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
  • Building departments typically release step-by-step compliance lists — download the Philadelphia sample here as an example.
  • Our professionals at Local Energy Audits use caulk, spray foam, and thermal imaging to detect and seal leaks on-site for better efficiency./li>
  • In most situations—over 90% of the time—we get a passing score within two hours and finalize all required paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Ridley Park, PA

To prepare a home for blower door test in Ridley Park, PA, we shut off the HVAC system and disable all exhaust fans. Next, we do a complete walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are sealed — including those opening to garages, unfinished basements, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. After sealing the home, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior doorway. The fan depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals to provide accurate airflow and leakage readings. When the home reaches negative pressure, outside air infiltrates through openings, making leaks visible. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. Equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, we can directly assist homeowners or contractors in resolving visible air leakage problems on-site. After sealing, we can immediately retest to confirm whether the desired blower door score has been reached, ensuring your home complies with local energy efficiency standards in Ridley Park, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Ridley Park, PA

For contractors coordinating blower door test in Ridley Park, PA, most well-insulated properties can quickly take care of small issues during the testing process. 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 Ridley Park, PA

Get professional-grade, efficient, and certified blower door test in Ridley Park, PA handled by our experienced staff. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking greater comfort or a contractor finalizing a permit, we ensure every test meets energy code requirements with precision and professionalism.