What’s the standard for blower door tests?

Blower door testing measures the airtightness of a building. It’s an effective tool that reveals holes, cracks, or openings that result in air leakage. If you’re not sure if you should get a blower door test, you’ve come to the right place.

Are blower door tests required for residential buildings?

Under the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IEEC), blower door testing is mandatory for newly constructed residences, including multi-family buildings and modular residential buildings (also known as factory-built housing). It is not required for homes that were manufactured following the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.

The IEEC states that the air leakage should not exceed 3.0 ACH (air changes per hour). ACH measures the volume of air that enters and exits a defined space in one hour. Certification under Passive House (Passivhaus) allows a maximum of 0.6 ACH at 50 Pascals. ASHRAE ( American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommends 0.35 ACH.

The IEEC states that the air leakage should not exceed 3.0 ACH (air changes per hour). ACH measures the volume of air that enters and exits a defined space in one hour. Certification under Passive House (Passivhaus) allows a maximum of 0.6 ACH at 50 Pascals. ASHRAE ( American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommends 0.35 ACH.

Are blower door tests required for commercial buildings?

It is optional to conduct a blower door test for commercial buildings. The ACH for commercial or industrial buildings varies depending on the type of building or room. For instance, hospital rooms may measure 4.0 to 6.0 ACH, while bakeries may measure 20 to 30 ACH.

Do all states follow the same energy code?

No. Not all states follow the same energy code. Your state or city may have its own maximum requirements regarding the ACH. That’s why it’s important to consult a professional HVAC technician or energy auditor, Beeson Mechanical Service.

Who can conduct a blower door test?

Whether you want to determine your home’s energy efficiency or you want to qualify for a certification program, you need to ensure that your blower test is conducted by someone who is certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), HERS, or RESNET.

Your energy auditor is responsible for preparing a written report of the blower test results.

How should you prepare for a blower door test?

Preparing your home for a blower door test is simple. Here is what you need to do:

• Close all windows. This prevents outside air from entering the building during the blower door test.
• Open interior doors. Keep interior doors (the doors that adjoin rooms) open. This allows the blower door to thoroughly depressurize the building.
• Close exterior doors. Close doors that lead to the outside such as the garage door, porch door, etc.
• Turn off air conditioners, fans, etc. The interior air should be as still as possible. Forgetting to turn off the thermostat, air conditioner, fan, etc. will result in an inaccurate reading.

The bottom line

If you haven’t had an energy audit, you should consider scheduling one as soon as possible. Not only is it required for residential buildings, but it also pinpoints problem areas in your home. Identifying air leaks will help you be more energy-efficient, thus reducing your energy costs in the long run.