Blower Door Test in Seaford, DE

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Seaford, DE. Our certified technicians support homeowners, builders, and contractors in finding hidden leaks, improving comfort, and ensuring compliance with DE energy codes.

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. If air changes happen too often, it forces your system to reheat or recool the air repeatedly, wasting energy and lowering performance. Too frequent air changes can produce drafts and discomfort from leaks, while also increasing the risk of condensation, moisture, and mold. A blower door test in Seaford, DE helps discover hidden leaks early so homeowners can save energy, enhance comfort, and improve home resilience.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To complete blower door test in Seaford, DE, all exterior openings are sealed, and interior doors are kept open to ensure equal airflow throughout the property. A single main exterior door is fitted with an adjustable aluminum frame and attached fabric panel to begin the setup. 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 extracts air, exterior air begins entering the house through any unsealed spaces or cracks. Using a nanometer, we accurately compare the pressure difference between the fan output and the home’s interior. These readings are then converted into the total number of air changes per hour (ACH), revealing how airtight the home is and how well it performs in the DE climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Seaford, DE, all new homes must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more current codes enforced by local jurisdictions. In many locations, a result of 3 air changes per hour or less is required to verify the home’s energy efficiency level. Achieving this standard in your blower door test in Seaford, DE lowers utility bills and guarantees adherence to local code requirements.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of DE, along with its municipalities, observes the IECC requirements, mandating blower door test for newly constructed or updated homes. We work closely with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Seaford, DE to ensure compliance and successful project completion. You may be required to perform a duct leakage test if HVAC components are situated outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Seaford, DE, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. Although it’s a short process, a blower door test produces a long-lasting impact by improving comfort and lowering energy costs throughout DE’ 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.
  • Apply the correct R-value insulation and verify that it’s properly fitted to seal the whole building envelope.
  • Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
  • Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
  • Ensure complete sealing of all openings between conditioned rooms and unconditioned areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Local building departments often supply a detailed checklist to ensure compliance — you can download the Philadelphia example here for guidance.
  • At Local Energy Audits, we utilize thermal imaging equipment, caulk, and spray foam to identify and fix air leaks during testing./li>
  • We achieve a passing score within two hours in more than 90% of tests and issue the documents to close the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Seaford, DE

To prepare for blower door test in Seaford, DE, we start by turning off the heating and cooling system, along with all bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust fans. Next, a brief home walkthrough ensures every exterior door and window is closed — even those opening to unconditioned areas like garages or basements outside the thermal envelope. With the home sealed, we select a main exterior door, install the blower door setup, and use the fan to depressurize to 50 Pascals, enabling accurate airflow measurement. When the house is depressurized, outside air begins entering faster, exposing hidden leaks more effectively. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and unconditioned areas. Carrying chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, we work directly with homeowners or contractors to resolve visible air leakage issues during the visit. 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 Seaford, DE.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Seaford, DE

Contractors scheduling blower door test in Seaford, DE often see that homes with proper insulation can correct minor air leaks while testing is underway. Using quick-application materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or openings are sealed right during testing. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and deliver all documents needed to finalize the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Seaford, DE

Count on our skilled technicians for fast, precise, and certified blower door test in Seaford, DE. Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading comfort or a contractor closing permits, we carry out each test with accuracy and in full compliance with energy regulations.