Blower Door Testing

What is a blower door test?

A blower door is a useful tool to analyze and diagnose energy loss in a building. It consists of a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of a doorway to the exterior of your home. Once the fan is turned on you will be able to measure the amount of air leaving the home in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). A qualified energy professional can calculate the specific target CFM for your house.

Through our blower door tests, you will be able to physically feel the air coming through any gaps in the exterior envelope of the house. You can even feel the air with your hands while the fan is moving.

Our team will use the fan to discover weak spots in your building envelope and get a baseline for any repairs that need to be made.

Home testing Benefits

Reducing energy consumption from excess air leakage
Avoiding moisture condensation problems
Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold or warm air leaking in from outside
Controlling outdoor contaminants, pests, and odors from entering your home.
Determining proper sizing and airflow requirements of heating and cooling equipment.
Determining whether mechanical ventilation is needed to provide acceptable fresh air and maintain indoor air quality in your home.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test

Your home energy professional will perform the blower door test, including a walk-through of your home, setting up the blower door, and conducting the test. The following steps will help prepare your home for a blower door test:

Plan to do a walk-through of your home with the auditor. Be prepared to point out areas that you know are drafty or difficult to condition comfortably.
Expect the auditor to request access to all areas of your home including closets, built-in cabinets, attics, crawl spaces, and any unused rooms.
The auditor will need to close all exterior doors and windows, open all interior doors, and close any fireplace dampers, doors, and woodstove air inlets.
If you heat with wood, be sure all fires are completely out – not even coals – before the auditor arrives. Remove any ashes from open fireplaces.
Expect the auditor to set controls on all atmospheric fossil fuel appliances (e.g., furnace, water heater, fireplaces, and stoves) to ensure that they do not fire during the test. The auditor should return them to the original position after the test.
Expect the test to take up to an hour or more, depending on the complexity of your home.

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