Blower Door Test in Thornton, PA

Ensure your home is sealed properly and energy-efficient with quality blower door test in Thornton, PA. Our certified experts assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in improving comfort, sealing leaks, and meeting PA energy code requirements.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is performed to record air changes per hour in buildings, confirming that fresh air regularly replaces stale indoor air. When air changes occur too frequently, the heating or cooling system must work harder to stabilize temperatures, increasing energy use and lowering efficiency. Too many air changes can result in drafts and leaks that create discomfort and lead to moisture, mold, and condensation issues. A blower door test in Thornton, PA assists in finding and sealing air leaks early to improve home comfort, energy efficiency, and overall durability.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

To perform blower door test in Thornton, PA, all exterior doors and windows are tightly sealed, while interior doors remain open to promote balanced airflow throughout the home. An adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are placed within a central exterior doorway to conduct the test. A calibrated fan is fitted into the frame and depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals, mimicking the pressure caused by a 20 mph wind.

When the fan starts pulling air out, external air enters through the smallest cracks and leakage points. Using an advanced nanometer, we evaluate the pressure difference between the fan system and the home’s interior environment. 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 PA climate.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Homes built in Thornton, PA are expected to comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or any newer local versions in effect. In most jurisdictions, 3 air changes per hour or less is the benchmark for acceptable blower door test results and energy efficiency. When your blower door test in Thornton, PAmeets this requirement, you benefit from reduced energy bills and code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

Across PA, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) is adopted by the state and local jurisdictions, requiring blower door test on residential constructions and renovations. We provide support to home builders, contractors, and homeowners needing blower door test in Thornton, PA for meeting energy efficiency standards and finalizing permits. A duct leakage test is often required whenever ducts or HVAC units are found outside the building’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners see real value in blower door test in Thornton, PA. As the fan draws air out, leaks become clear, making it easy to target repairs and improve efficiency. A blower door test takes only a short time to complete but can have a lasting effect on your home’s comfort and energy efficiency through PA’ hot and cool seasons.

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.
  • Install insulation of the appropriate R-value and inspect to confirm it’s correctly fitted in all envelope areas.
  • 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 building departments provide step-by-step compliance guides — you can find the Philadelphia example here.
  • With caulk, spray foam, and advanced thermal imaging, Local Energy Audits locates and seals leaks efficiently on-site./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 Thornton, PA

Before conducting blower door test in Thornton, PA, we make sure all heating, cooling, and ventilation fans are switched off. We proceed with a quick home walkthrough, checking that every exterior door and window is tightly shut — including ones that lead to unfinished or unconditioned spaces outside the thermal envelope. After ensuring the home is airtight, we install the blower door frame and fan in a central exterior door and depressurize the house to 50 Pascals to record airflow and leakage data accurately. After depressurization, air from outside rushes in through cracks and gaps, making leak detection much easier. A thermal imager helps highlight problem zones by detecting temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and areas connected to unconditioned spaces. We’re fully equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping to collaborate with homeowners or contractors in correcting visible air leakage issues immediately. After completing the sealing process, we can retest right away to check if the desired blower door score has been obtained, confirming compliance with Thornton, PA efficiency standards.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Thornton, PA

During blower door test in Thornton, PA, contractors will find that well-insulated homes can manage minor issues directly on-site. Using readily available materials like chalk and spray foam, our team can seal small leaks and gaps on-site in minutes. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and provide complete documentation to finalize the building permit without delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in Thornton, PA

Receive professional, accurate, and certified blower door test in Thornton, PA from our highly skilled technicians. Whether you’re improving comfort as a homeowner or completing a project as a contractor, we guarantee every test is performed with accuracy and full energy code compliance.