Blower Door Test in Smyrna, DE

Ensure your home is sealed properly and energy-efficient with quality blower door test in Smyrna, 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 how many air changes per hour occur in your home, ensuring fresh air circulation and improved indoor air quality. 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. When too much air is exchanged, it can cause drafts, reduce comfort, and create conditions for moisture buildup and mold. A blower door test in Smyrna, DE enables early identification of air leaks, helping improve comfort, durability, and energy savings.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In preparation for blower door test in Smyrna, DE, all exterior entry points are sealed, and interior doors are left open to allow consistent air circulation. One central exterior door is chosen, where an adjustable aluminum frame and durable fabric panel are securely installed. A calibrated fan is placed within the frame and operated to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals — nearly the same as a 20 mph wind hitting the building.

As the fan creates negative pressure, outside air infiltrates the home through gaps and small openings. Using a nanometer device, we assess how the pressure from the fan differs from the home’s natural air pressure. These results are transformed into air changes per hour (ACH), an indicator of the home’s airtightness and its efficiency in DE conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Smyrna, DE, energy efficiency standards for homes are based on the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or more recent updates approved by the jurisdiction. Typically, blower door test compliance means maintaining 3 air changes per hour or less for energy-efficient performance. Reaching the target during your blower door test in Smyrna, DE guarantees lower energy consumption and full code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

DE and several of its municipalities comply with the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), mandating blower door test for new or updated homes. We regularly provide blower door test in Smyrna, DE for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. If any part of the HVAC system or ductwork sits beyond the building’s thermal envelope, a duct leakage test may be required. Learn more about energy code compliance.

There are many benefits of blower door test in Smyrna, DE for homeowners. When the fan lowers indoor pressure, leaks become visible, allowing for easy identification of inefficiencies and energy-saving opportunities. Though a blower door test lasts just a few hours, it offers a long-lasting impact on your home’s comfort, durability, and performance year-round in DE.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
Use materials like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing as your air barrier and ensure every seam is well taped for best results.
Use insulation with the right R-value and confirm it is properly installed throughout the 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 gaps and openings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
Local construction departments often include compliance guides — you can download the Philadelphia checklist here.
Using thermal imaging technology along with caulk and spray foam, Local Energy Audits identifies and seals leaks during the inspection./li>
In more than 90% of cases, we secure a passing score within two hours and deliver the paperwork needed to close the permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Smyrna, DE

When preparing for blower door test in Smyrna, DE, we first switch off the home’s heating, cooling, and exhaust systems. Next, we carefully walk through the property to make sure all exterior openings — including those to basements, garages, or areas outside the thermal envelope — are closed properly. Once the home is prepared, we mount the blower door fan and frame in a central exterior doorway and depressurize the building to 50 Pascals to measure air leakage precisely. After the home is depressurized, incoming outdoor air becomes more intense, making leak points easy to locate. 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. We conduct a quick retest after sealing to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved and that your home adheres to Smyrna, DE energy efficiency codes.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Smyrna, DE

For contractors arranging blower door test in Smyrna, DE, most homes with professional insulation can handle small air leakage issues during the test itself. 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.

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Schedule Your blower door test in Smyrna, DE

Get fast, reliable, and certified blower door test in Smyrna, DE from our experienced and trusted team. 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.

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