Blower Door

Blower Door Test Services by Insulation Pros

A blower door test is a vital service for anyone looking to enhance the energy efficiency of their home or building. This test is specifically designed to measure air leakage through gaps, cracks, and other openings in your home’s envelope, which can significantly impact energy consumption, comfort, and indoor air quality. At Insulation Pros, we offer comprehensive blower door testing services to meet all your blower door testing needs, whether for new construction projects, existing homes, or renovations.

What is a Blower Door Test?

A blower door test involves installing a blower door fan—a powerful fan mounted within a flexible panel that fits into one of your home’s exterior doors. When the fan operates, it creates negative pressure inside the house, reducing the air pressure compared to the outside. This difference in pressure forces outside air to flow in through any unsealed gaps or cracks, helping to detect areas of blower door air leakage. The volume of air pulled through these openings is then measured using an airflow manometer, a specialized device that quantifies the rate of air leakage.

Types of Blower Door Tests

There are two types of blower doors used in blower door leakage tests:

Calibrated Blower Doors

Equipped with pressure gauges and airflow measuring devices, these blower doors provide precise data on the amount of air leakage in a home. This allows energy professionals to determine the air infiltration rates and the effectiveness of sealing efforts.

Uncalibrated Blower Doors

These are used primarily for visual inspections to locate leaks but do not provide detailed data on overall air tightness or the rate of air leakage.

Benefits of Blower Door Testing

Blower door testing provides valuable insights for homeowners, builders, and contractors by serving as a diagnostic tool that highlights areas of improvement. Here are some key benefits:

Reduce Energy Consumption

Identifying and sealing leaks can significantly lower the energy required to heat or cool your home, reducing the runtime of air conditioners and other exhaust fans.

Improve Indoor Comfort

Sealing leaks minimizes drafts from unconditioned spaces, providing a more consistent temperature throughout your home.

Ensure Compliance with Energy Codes

Blower door tests are now a requirement in many regions to meet energy codes for new construction projects. A successful test demonstrates compliance with these standards.

Enhance Building Durability

By controlling air leakage, you help protect your home from moisture intrusion, which can cause long-term damage to building materials and reduce building durability.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

A well-sealed home reduces the infiltration of outdoor pollutants, allergens, and pests, providing a healthier living environment.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test

To ensure accurate blower door leakage tests, it is important to properly prepare your home. Here are a few steps to get ready:

Close All Exterior Openings

Make sure all windows, doors, and any exterior doors are tightly closed to prevent inaccurate readings.

Open All Interior Doors

Allowing for airflow within the home helps ensure that the blower door fan can correctly identify all points of air leakage.

Secure Any Combustion Appliances

This includes setting controls on all fossil fuel appliances and making sure any open flames are completely out.

Ensure Access to Unconditioned Spaces

Your energy professional will need access to all areas of your home, including attics, crawl spaces, and utility rooms, to perform a thorough visual inspection.

Understanding Your Blower Door Test Results

The main metric derived from a blower door test is ACH50, or Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals. This number represents how many times the air inside your home is replaced by outside air in one hour under test conditions. Lower ACH50 values indicate a more airtight home, leading to lower energy bills and increased comfort. For further accuracy, results are often measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and adjusted for square footage and building characteristics.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools: Infrared Imaging

In addition to the blower door fan, our professionals use advanced tools like infrared imaging to identify precise locations of air leaks. Infrared cameras allow us to see temperature differences in walls, floors, and ceilings, highlighting where air infiltration is occurring. This advanced technology, along with the blower door test, enables our team to pinpoint the most effective areas for insulation and sealing.

Why Choose Insulation Pros for Your Blower Door Testing?

As a trusted blower door company, Insulation Pros is committed to helping homeowners and builders achieve optimal energy efficiency. Our experienced team utilizes the latest technology and methods to provide accurate and reliable air leakage testing. We go beyond just identifying blower door issues; we also offer tailored solutions to help you improve your home’s energy performance, whether it’s through advanced air sealing techniques or upgrading insulation.

Schedule Your Blower Door Test Today!

Don’t let energy costs soar due to air leakage. Ensure your home or building meets today’s stringent energy codes and maximizes comfort and efficiency. Contact Insulation Pros today to schedule your blower door test and see how we can help make your home more energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy.