Blower Door Test in Summit, NJ

Verify your home’s airtightness and meet energy-efficiency standards with a professional blower door test in Summit, NJ. Our qualified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting air leaks, optimizing comfort, and maintaining compliance with NJ 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. Too many air changes, however, can be detrimental because every time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, leading to higher energy use and lower efficiency. Excessive air changes can bring drafts and air leakage discomfort while promoting moisture buildup, mold, and condensation. A blower door test in Summit, NJ 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 Summit, NJ, all exterior openings are sealed, and interior doors are kept open to ensure equal airflow throughout the property. One chosen exterior door is equipped with an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel for test installation. Next, a calibrated fan is mounted on the frame to reduce indoor pressure to 50 Pascals — similar to the force of a 20 mph wind on the building.

As the fan removes air, outside air naturally flows inside through leaks, joints, and other gaps. With the help of a nanometer, we determine the pressure difference between the fan’s airflow and the home’s internal conditions. 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?

Homes built in Summit, NJ are expected to comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer local versions in effect. In most areas, an acceptable blower door test result is 3 air changes per hour or less, confirming that the home achieves optimal energy efficiency. Meeting this level during your blower door test in Summit, NJ supports energy efficiency and verifies that your home meets local codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of NJ, together with many cities and counties, enforces the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which calls for blower door test on new or renovated residential properties. Our team regularly helps home builders, contractors, and homeowners seeking blower door test in Summit, NJ to satisfy energy code standards and close final inspections. 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.

Homeowners can greatly benefit from blower door test in Summit, NJ. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. 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 NJ.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Choose an appropriate air barrier, like Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, and ensure all seams are accurately and securely taped.
  • Place insulation with the accurate R-value and check for proper installation and full coverage in 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.
  • Ensure complete sealing of all openings between conditioned rooms and unconditioned areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
  • Many local municipalities issue code compliance checklists — the Philadelphia example is available here.
  • With caulk, spray foam, and advanced thermal imaging, Local Energy Audits locates and seals leaks efficiently on-site./li>
  • We achieve a passing score within two hours in over 90% of cases and promptly issue the documents to finalize your permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Summit, NJ

When preparing for blower door test in Summit, NJ, we first switch off the home’s heating, cooling, and exhaust systems. 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. Once preparation is complete, the blower door fan and frame are installed in a centrally located exterior door. The fan then reduces pressure to 50 Pascals, allowing accurate leakage assessment. Once depressurization is achieved, the inflow of outside air intensifies, making air leaks easier to find and fix. Through the use of a thermal imager, we find problem zones by detecting uneven temperatures in walls, ceilings, and surfaces connected to unconditioned spaces. We bring the tools and materials—chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping—to work with homeowners or contractors in fixing visible air leakage issues immediately. Once sealing work is done, we immediately retest to verify that the desired blower door score has been achieved for compliance with local standards in Summit, NJ.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Summit, NJ

Most professionally insulated homes undergoing blower door test in Summit, NJ can resolve small issues on-site during the contractor’s visit. Using materials like chalk and spray foam during the inspection, small leaks or gaps can be sealed right away. In over 90% of cases, we complete a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide the required paperwork to close out the building permit promptly.

Schedule Your blower door test in Summit, NJ

Receive professional, accurate, and certified blower door test in Summit, NJ from our highly skilled technicians. Whether you’re a homeowner improving energy performance or a contractor completing certification, we make sure each test fulfills all energy code requirements.