What Is a Blower Door Test?

Did you know that the average home has enough air leakage to add up to the size of an open window? Finding and sealing those leaks is crucial if you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort levels. 

But most air leaks are hard to see, and you need special equipment to locate them. That’s where a blower door test comes in. Blower door tests are usually completed as part of a whole-home energy assessment. Here’s how they work: 

How Does a Blower Door Test Work? 

A blower door is a diagnostic tool that includes a powerful, variable-speed fan, an air pressure gauge, an adjustable frame, and a flexible fabric panel. During the test, the fan is mounted inside the frame of a central exterior door, like your front entry door, and the panel is used to cover the open doorway. 

Before the blower door test can begin, the house must be prepared. To prepare the house, the energy auditor conducting the test will: 

• Close and lock all other exterior doors and windows

• Open all interior doors 

• Turn off HVAC systems and any appliances that have a flue 

• Make sure all coal and ash is removed from fireplaces  

Once the blower door is in place and the house has been prepared, the test can begin. During the blower door test, the energy auditor will turn on the fan, and air will be sucked out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. Then, because air flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure, outside air will be pulled in through any leaks in the home’s construction. The auditor will look for these leaks, often using a smoke pencil, and note their location. 

What Happens After a Blower Door Test? 

At the end of your energy audit, you’ll be given a report that will include the results of your blower door test. The report will detail your home’s current energy inefficiencies, and the energy auditor will make recommendations to improve these inefficiencies, such as: 

• Air sealing the attic, basement, and walls  

• Installing new basement, wall, and attic insulation 

• Duct services, like duct sealing  

• Replacing windows and doors 

Schedule an Energy Audit for Your California Home 

When it comes to making home improvements, diagnostic testing is essential. Otherwise, you’ll be taking shots in the dark, and could end up wasting money on upgrades that have no effect on your home’s energy efficiency, or even make it worse.

At Greencat, we take the time to properly inspect your home before making upgrades and can conduct a thorough energy audit and blower door test to find out where your home is losing the most energy. Our technicians are certified professionals who understand the science behind home performance and will make targeted, impactful improvements that help you lower your energy bills and enjoy a more comfortable home. 

We install many types of insulation, including spray foam insulation and blown-in fiberglass insulation, and will help you choose the right upgrades for your home. Greencat is proud to serve homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Western Riverside County, Western San Bernardino County, and throughout all of California. 

Schedule a blower door test with California’s trusted, whole-home performance expert. Call Greencat at 323-208-9071 or contact us here to get started.