What is a Blower Door Test?

What is a Blower Door Test? 

A blower door test is a diagnostic tool used to measure the airtightness of a building. It helps identify air leaks, which can impact energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. Here’s how it works and what it involves: 

How It Works: 

  1. Setup: A powerful fan is installed in an exterior door frame, replacing the door. The fan is calibrated to create a specific pressure difference between the inside and outside of the building. 
  2. Pressurization/Depressurization: The fan either depressurizes (pulls air out) or pressurizes (pushes air in) the building, allowing for a controlled measurement of air leakage. 
  3. Measurement: The airflow through the fan is measured, indicating how much air is leaking into or out of the building. This is expressed in terms of air changes per hour (ACH) or other metrics. 
  4. Analysis: The results help identify areas with excessive air leakage, allowing homeowners or builders to make informed decisions about sealing gaps and improving insulation. 

Benefits of a Blower Door Test: 

  • Energy Efficiency: Identifying and sealing leaks can reduce heating and cooling costs. 
  • Comfort: Reduces drafts and temperature fluctuations, improving overall comfort indoors. 
  • Indoor Air Quality: Helps manage ventilation and reduce moisture problems, such as mold growth. 
  • Compliance: Often used to meet energy efficiency codes or standards in new construction or major renovations. 
Overall, a blower door test is a valuable tool for assessing and improving a building’s energy performance. As sustainable building principles become more mainstream, you may find that your local codes require a blower door test in order to be issued a CO (certificate of occupancy).   Reach out to CR-BPS to learn more about blower door tests and how they could impact your construction process.  

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