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BLOWER DOOR TESTING
THE BLOWER DOOR TEST IS CONDUCTED AS PART OF YOUR ENERGY ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH AIR IS ENTERING OR ESCAPING YOUR HOME.
WHY?
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Reducing energy consumption from excess air leakage
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Avoiding moisture condensation problems
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Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold or warm air leaking in from outside
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Controlling outdoor contaminants, pests, and odors from entering your home.
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Determining proper sizing and airflow requirements of heating and cooling equipment.
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Determining whether mechanical ventilation is needed to provide acceptable fresh air and maintain indoor air quality in your home.
HOW?
A blower door is a powerful fan that is temporarily mounted into the frame of an exterior doorway in your home. After calibrating the device, the fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside.
The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed gaps, cracks and openings such as gaps, cracks, or wiring penetrations. While the blower test is being conducted, we may use an infrared camera to look at the walls, ceilings, and floors, to find specific locations where insulation is missing and air is leaking.
We may also use a nontoxic smoke pencil to detect air leaks in your home. These tests determine the air infiltration rate of your home.
PREPARING FOR THE BLOWER DOOR TEST
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Plan to do a walk through with your energy advisor.
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Expect the advisor to request access to all areas of your home, including closets, built-in cabinets, attics, crawl spaces and any unused rooms.
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All exterior doors and windows will need to be closed. All interior doors must be open.
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Expect the test to take up to an hour or more, depending on the complexity of your home.