Blower Door Test in West Point, PA

Assess your home’s air sealing and energy standards with trusted blower door test in West Point, PA. Our experts help homeowners, builders, and contractors pinpoint air leaks, improve efficiency, and comply with PA building energy standards.

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. An excessive rate of air changes can be inefficient because each time the air is replaced, it must be reheated or recooled, raising energy costs. Excessive air changes often cause drafts, discomfort, and humidity-related issues such as condensation and mold growth inside the home. A blower door test in West Point, PA locates leaks and inefficiencies quickly, allowing homeowners to enhance energy performance and create a cozier living space.

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How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

In blower door test in West Point, PA, 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. 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.

When the fan depressurizes the home, outdoor air seeps in through leaks, crevices, and other air pathways. A sensitive nanometer is used to monitor and compare the pressure difference between the blower fan and the home’s interior air. These values are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), a key measure of the home’s airtightness and its energy performance under PA conditions.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

Residential buildings in West Point, PA must adhere to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer versions adopted by city or county regulations. In many locations, a result of 3 air changes per hour or less is required to verify the home’s energy efficiency level. When your blower door test in West Point, PAmeets this requirement, you benefit from reduced energy bills and code compliance.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

PA, along with many city governments, enforces the IECC, which requires blower door test for residential projects after construction or renovation. We frequently assist home builders, contractors, and homeowners who need blower door test in West Point, PA to comply with energy codes and finalize building permits. A duct leakage test might be necessary if your home’s HVAC units or ducts are located outside its thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Homeowners benefit from blower door test in West Point, PA because depressurization exposes airflow through cracks, helping identify leaks and boost efficiency. A blower door test is quick to perform but offers a long-lasting impact on comfort, energy savings, and home efficiency across all PAclimates.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

  • Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
  • Apply an appropriate air barrier, such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing, making sure every seam is correctly taped for maximum performance.
  • Use insulation with the right R-value and confirm it is properly installed 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.
  • Make sure to seal all separations between conditioned and unconditioned areas, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
  • 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 most situations—over 90% of the time—we get a passing score within two hours and finalize all required paperwork.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in West Point, PA

To prepare a home for blower door test in West Point, PA, we shut off the HVAC system and disable all exhaust fans. 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. 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. When the house is depressurized, outside air begins entering faster, exposing hidden leaks more effectively. With a thermal imager, we identify issues by locating temperature differences across walls, ceilings, and surfaces leading to 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. After the sealing process, we can promptly retest to confirm if the desired blower door score has been reached, meeting West Point, PA energy code requirements.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in West Point, PA

For contractors conducting blower door test in West Point, PA, well-insulated homes generally require only minimal on-site corrections during the test. Using quick-application materials like chalk and spray foam, small leaks or openings are sealed right during testing. In more than 90% of cases, we achieve a passing blower door test score within two hours and deliver all documents needed to finalize the permit without any delay.

Schedule Your blower door test in West Point, PA

Trust our experienced team for quick, accurate, and certified blower door test in West Point, PA. Whether you’re a homeowner focused on efficiency or a contractor working to close a permit, we ensure each test is conducted with precision and meets all energy code standards.