Blower Door Test in Somerville, NJ

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert blower door test in Somerville, NJ. Our skilled technicians help homeowners, builders, and contractors find air leaks, increase comfort, and comply with NJ energy standards.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test measures the air changes per hour within a home or building. Air exchange is a normal and healthy process that allows stale indoor air to be replaced with fresh air. Too frequent air replacement can reduce efficiency since every exchange requires your system to use more energy for heating or cooling. Excessive ventilation can lead to unwanted drafts, air leakage discomfort, and potential mold, condensation, or moisture problems indoors. A blower door test in Somerville, NJ identifies air leakage issues before they become serious, ensuring efficiency, comfort, and long-term durability.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in Somerville, NJ, every exterior door and window is shut, while interior doors stay open to allow uniform airflow inside the building. One primary exterior doorway is used, where a flexible aluminum frame and fabric panel are mounted tightly. Once the frame is in place, a calibrated fan is used to bring the home’s pressure down to 50 Pascals — about the same as a 20 mph wind on the structure.

As the fan expels air, the resulting pressure draws outdoor air in through hidden leaks and unsealed joints. A nanometer is used to detect and compare the pressure created by the fan with the air pressure inside the structure. From these readings, the number of air changes per hour (ACH) is determined, revealing the home’s airtightness and performance efficiency in NJ.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Somerville, NJ, compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or subsequent locally adopted versions is typically mandatory for residential properties. For most regions, achieving 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test ensures that the home is properly energy efficient. Satisfying this requirement in your blower door test in Somerville, NJ helps optimize energy use and ensures you meet local building standards.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Throughout NJ, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is followed, making blower door test compulsory for new and renovated homes. Our team frequently assists home builders, contractors, and homeowners performing blower door test in Somerville, NJ to verify compliance and secure permit approval. A duct leakage test may also be performed when ductwork or HVAC equipment extends beyond the thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Through blower door test in Somerville, NJ, homeowners can easily find leaks. When the fan reduces internal pressure, air movement through problem areas becomes noticeable, offering chances to save energy. In only a few hours, a blower door test can deliver a long-lasting impact on energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor performance throughout NJ’ changing seasons.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Select a proper air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and ensure every seam is thoroughly taped for airtight sealing.
  • Install correctly rated insulation with the proper R-value and confirm it’s well positioned in every part of 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 all joints and gaps that connect conditioned and unconditioned areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Local construction departments often include compliance guides — you can download the Philadelphia checklist here.
  • Local Energy Audits uses professional-grade thermal imaging, caulk, and spray foam to locate and close leaks during the visit./li>
  • Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Somerville, NJ

We begin blower door test in Somerville, NJ by switching off the HVAC system and shutting down all exhaust fans throughout the home. Next, our team walks through the home to verify that every exterior door and window is sealed shut — including access points to unfinished basements, garages, or areas beyond the thermal envelope. With the home properly sealed, we mount the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door, using it to depressurize to 50 Pascals for exact airflow readings. When the home reaches depressurization, outside air seeps in rapidly, helping identify leaks with greater accuracy. Using a thermal imager, we locate inefficiencies by observing temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and surfaces separating conditioned and unconditioned areas. We’re equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, so we can partner with homeowners or contractors to repair visible air leakage problems right on-site. We can retest right after sealing to check whether the desired blower door score has been met, ensuring full compliance with Somerville, NJ energy standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Somerville, NJ

Contractors planning blower door test in Somerville, NJ can expect most professionally insulated homes to address small issues easily during the testing phase. With readily available sealing materials like chalk and spray foam, we can repair minor leaks or gaps on the spot. In more than 90% of cases, our team secures a passing blower door test score within two hours and provides full documentation to complete the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Somerville, NJ

Get expert, certified, and dependable blower door test in Somerville, NJ delivered by our experienced professionals. Whether you’re optimizing home comfort or finalizing construction approval, every test we perform adheres to energy code requirements with precision.