Blower Door Test in Upper Darby, PA

Ensure your property meets energy codes and maintains efficiency through expert blower door test in Upper Darby, PA. Our certified technicians provide homeowners, builders, and contractors with expert air leak detection, better comfort, and complete PA energy code compliance.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test determines the air changes per hour of a house or building, ensuring proper ventilation as old air cycles out and fresh air flows in. Excessive air changes force constant reheating or recooling, driving up energy use and reducing overall home efficiency. When there are too many air leaks, drafts and discomfort can occur, along with moisture problems such as mold and condensation. A blower door test in Upper Darby, PA helps uncover these issues early, enabling homeowners and builders to detect air leaks, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable, long-lasting home.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

For accurate blower door test in Upper Darby, PA, technicians close all exterior openings and keep interior doors open to balance airflow throughout the house. A central exterior door is used as the setup point, where an adjustable aluminum frame and fabric panel are positioned. A precisely calibrated fan is installed on the frame to reduce the air pressure inside to 50 Pascals, equal to a steady 20 mph wind outdoors.

When the fan pulls indoor air outward, fresh air from outside rushes in through leaks and weak spots. 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 PA.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Residential buildings in Upper Darby, PA must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. For most regions, achieving 3 air changes per hour or less on a blower door test ensures that the home is properly energy efficient. When your blower door test in Upper Darby, PA meets this requirement, you ensure energy efficiency and maintain compliance with building codes.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

In accordance with the IECC, the State of PA and various local authorities require blower door test for new or remodeled residential properties. We proudly serve home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in Upper Darby, PA to pass inspections and fulfill energy code obligations. 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 can greatly benefit from blower door test in Upper Darby, PA. The depressurization process makes air leaks noticeable, helping pinpoint trouble areas and improve energy efficiency. In only a few hours, a blower door test can deliver a long-lasting impact on energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor performance throughout PA’ 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.
  • Use properly rated insulation with the right R-value and ensure consistent coverage 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.
  • Properly seal all connections between conditioned and unconditioned zones, including basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
  • Local authorities often publish checklists to confirm compliance — get the Philadelphia example here.
  • Local Energy Audits technicians carry thermal imaging devices, caulk, and spray foam to pinpoint and seal air leaks immediately./li>
  • We achieve a passing score within two hours in more than 90% of tests and issue the documents to close the building permit.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Upper Darby, PA

Before conducting blower door test in Upper Darby, PA, we make sure all heating, cooling, and ventilation fans are switched off. 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. After ensuring the home is fully sealed, we mount the blower door fan and frame on a central exterior door and depressurize the interior to 50 Pascals for accurate testing. After the home is depressurized, incoming outdoor air becomes more intense, making leak points easy to locate. A thermal imager allows us to pinpoint problem spots by highlighting temperature contrasts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces exposed to unconditioned spaces. We carry chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping so our team can work alongside homeowners or contractors to seal visible air leakage spots right away. Once leaks are addressed, we perform another test to confirm the desired blower door score and verify compliance with local efficiency regulations in Upper Darby, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Upper Darby, PA

For contractors arranging blower door test in Upper Darby, PA, 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.

Schedule Your blower door test in Upper Darby, PA

Get fast, reliable, and certified blower door test in Upper Darby, PA from our experienced and trusted team. Whether you’re focused on comfort improvements or completing compliance checks, we ensure every test meets energy codes with precision and care.