What are Blower Door Tests?

What is a Blower Door?

First, to find out what a blower door test is, we need to know what a blower door machine is.

A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. The auditors may use a smoke pencil 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.

What is a Blower Door Test?

First, the Blower Door fan is placed in the front door of your home or building. The fan then depressurizes your structure by blowing air out of the fan, and in turn, sucking air back into the building itself. A computer connected to the device then measures pressure inside and outside of the building while the fan is operating. Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). This calculation is used to determine the amount of air moving through the fan, and in turn, through your building. Any air leaks are then located by walking around the building and feeling for air flow: usually around doors, windows, and any wires, pipes, etc. going to the exterior of the building.

Why do I need a
Blower Door Test?

Blower Door Testing

This is what a Blower Door Test
machine looks like during operation

Keep Your Home Cool

Identifying and sealing problem areas helps keep your home frosty during the hot summer months

Cold air escapes through the various holes in your building, and identifying and those problems using a blower door test is essential to helping you seal those problem areas and keep the cold air in your home

Save Money

Utilizing Blower Door Testing will help you save money

In addition to adding value to your home, sealing problem areas utilizing our services will help you run your air conditioner less and keep your equipment working for longer, saving you money every month

It's The Law

As of July 1st, 2017 Blower Door testing is a residential requirement for all Florida homes and multi-family buildings

The 6th Edition Residential Florida Energy Code requires that:

  • Each house/unit pass a Blower Door test (Envelope Leakage Test) with 7 air changes per hour – 7 ACH(50) – or less and that the Blower Door Tested value must be equal to or lower than that which was entered on the R405-2017 Energy Compliance Form
  • Mechanical Ventilation is implemented for houses that test at 3 air changes per hour – 3 ACH(50) – or less for the Blower Door Test – especially Foam Encapsulated Attics which already require OA supply. Basically, if the home is built too tight than poke a hole in the wall to supply fresh air.

Call us today to schedule your
Blower Door Test with FLASH!​

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