Blower Door Test in Salford, PA

Test your home’s air barriers and meet energy regulations through dependable blower door test in Salford, 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 is performed to record air changes per hour in buildings, confirming that fresh air regularly replaces stale indoor air. 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. Too many air changes can create drafts and discomfort due to leaks and may also lead to condensation, moisture buildup, and mold growth indoors. A blower door test in Salford, PA makes it easier to locate leaks and inefficiencies early, ensuring lasting comfort and reduced energy waste.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

Before blower door test in Salford, PA, every exterior door and window is closed securely, while interior doors stay open to let air move evenly around the home. One primary exterior doorway is used, where a flexible aluminum frame and fabric panel are mounted tightly. 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.

As the fan exhausts indoor air, outside air starts seeping into the home through small leaks and gaps. A sensitive device called a nanometer measures how the fan’s pressure relates to the home’s internal air pressure. The test results are converted into air changes per hour (ACH), which determines the airtightness and performance level of the home in PA weather.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Salford, PA, new construction typically follows the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or an updated edition implemented by local codes. In most regions, homes must achieve 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test to meet energy efficiency standards. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Salford, PA lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA, along with many city governments, enforces the IECC, which requires blower door test for residential projects after construction or renovation. We frequently assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Salford, PA to comply with energy codes and finalize building permits. In some cases, a duct leakage test is needed if ducts or HVAC systems lie outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Salford, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. 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.
Apply an appropriate air barrier, such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, making sure every seam is correctly taped for maximum performance.
Ensure insulation with the specified R-value is properly installed and fitted throughout 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 off any access points or gaps between conditioned and unconditioned spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
Building departments in many areas share checklists for verifying compliance — download the Philadelphia version here as a sample.
Our team at Local Energy Audits employs thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and repair leaks efficiently on-site./li>
More than 90% of the time, we deliver a passing score in under two hours and issue all documents needed for permit approval.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Salford, PA

To prepare for blower door test in Salford, PA, we start by turning off the heating and cooling system, along with all bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust fans. We perform a quick check throughout the property, making sure all exterior windows and doors — including those to unfinished or non-conditioned areas — are sealed, maintaining 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. After depressurization, air from outside rushes in through cracks and gaps, making leak detection much easier. A thermal imager helps highlight problem zones by detecting temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and areas connected to unconditioned spaces. We come prepared with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, allowing us to assist homeowners or contractors in sealing visible air leakage points on the spot. After all leaks are sealed, we retest immediately to confirm the desired blower door score has been met and that your home satisfies efficiency requirements in Salford, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Salford, PA

During blower door test in Salford, PA, contractors will find that well-insulated homes can manage minor issues directly on-site. Using readily available materials like chalk and spray foam, our team can seal small leaks and gaps on-site in minutes. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide complete documentation to finalize the building permit without delay.

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Schedule Your blower door test in Salford, PA

Get reliable, timely, and certified blower door test in Salford, PA from our trained and experienced specialists. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.

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