What is a blower door test?
A blower door test locates air leaks by using a special fan to depressurize a house. Blower door tests are usually performed before and after air sealing to measure the effectiveness of the home sealing.
A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door located on the home. The fan removes air out of the house, and lowers the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. A smoke pencil is used to detect air leaks. These tests determine the air infiltration rate of a building.
Blower doors consist of a frame and flexible panel that fit in a doorway, a variable-speed fan, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure differences inside and outside the home, and an airflow manometer and hoses for measuring airflow.
Who needs a blower door test?
Blower-door testing is useful for both new construction and existing homes. By testing a new home, we can determine whether a certain air tightness target has been achieved. This is especially important when building an ENERGY STAR home or an R-2000 home. The results of the blower door test are required for certification of the home.
Why is an airtight home important?
- Energy consumption due to air leakage is reduced
- Moisture condensation problems are avoided
- Uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors are eliminated
We have been performing blower door tests on our homes for over 10 years. It’s our way of showing our customers we stand behind our promise of building quality into our homes.