Blower Door Test in Smyrna, DE

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Smyrna, DE. Our qualified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting air leaks, optimizing comfort, and maintaining compliance with DE energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test helps determine the air changes per hour to confirm that your home has sufficient fresh air replacement. When the air changes too often, energy efficiency drops since the system must continuously reheat or recool the air inside. 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 Smyrna, DE allows early detection of air leaks, helping homeowners and builders boost efficiency and maintain a comfortable, durable living environment.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To execute blower door test in Smyrna, DE, exterior windows and doors are secured shut, while interior doors are left open to distribute air evenly. A main exterior door is selected for setup, with an adjustable aluminum frame and fitted fabric panel placed in position. A calibrated fan is installed onto the frame, creating a pressure difference of 50 Pascals, comparable to a continuous 20 mph wind blowing on the home.

When the fan pulls indoor air outward, fresh air from outside rushes in through leaks and weak spots. A sensitive nanometer helps us measure and compare the pressure created by the fan with the interior air pressure. The data collected is translated into air changes per hour (ACH), showing the home’s airtightness and overall energy efficiency in DE conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes throughout Smyrna, DE are required to satisfy the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the most current version enforced by local regulators. In most cases, passing the blower door test means reaching 3 air changes per hour or less, proving efficient home sealing. Achieving compliance in your blower door test in Smyrna, DE helps improve energy efficiency and meet all local code mandates.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

DE and local city codes follow the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which mandates blower door tests on residential buildings after construction or renovation. We regularly provide blower door test in Smyrna, DE for home builders, contractors, and homeowners working to meet local code requirements and close permits. A duct leakage test may also be necessary if any ducts or HVAC systems are positioned outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Performing blower door test in Smyrna, DE allows homeowners to identify and fix leaks. The test makes air infiltration visible, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy loss. In only a few hours, a blower door test can deliver a long-lasting impact on energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor performance throughout DE’ changing seasons.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Install an effective air barrier, for example Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and make certain all seams are sealed with durable tape.
  • 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 any gaps connecting conditioned and unconditioned spaces, such as those leading to basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
  • 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 the majority of cases—over 90%—we reach a passing score within two hours and provide all closing documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Smyrna, DE

Before starting blower door test in Smyrna, DE, we turn off all heating, air conditioning, and exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. We then perform a detailed walkthrough to verify that all exterior windows and doors are tightly shut, including any that lead to spaces beyond the thermal envelope. With all openings sealed, we place the blower door frame and fan in a main exterior door and use it to depressurize the structure to 50 Pascals for precise testing results. After the pressure drops, outdoor air enters through gaps more noticeably, making leaks easier to identify. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficient areas by tracking temperature changes in walls, ceilings, and surfaces bordering unconditioned spaces. We carry all necessary materials, including chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, to collaborate with homeowners or contractors on visible air leakage repairs during testing. Once leaks are addressed, we perform another test to confirm the desired blower door score and verify compliance with local efficiency regulations in Smyrna, DE.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Smyrna, DE

Most professionally insulated homes undergoing blower door test in Smyrna, DE can resolve small issues on-site during the contractor’s visit. With efficient sealing products such as chalk and spray foam, minor air leaks can often be fixed immediately. In over 90% of cases, our team achieves a passing blower door test score within just two hours and provides the documentation required to close the permit promptly.

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 enhancing indoor comfort or finalizing a construction permit, we conduct every test with accuracy, care, and full compliance with energy standards.