How hard is it to pass a blower door test?

The blower door test takes the guess work out of detecting air leaks in a structure; however, most contractors would like to pass the blower door test the first time. It is estimated that 50% of newly constructed homes will fail the blower door or air-tightness test.

How do I become a certified blower door test?

While most municipalities will accept blower door test certifications from any HERS Rater or BPI-Building Analyst, others only require an IDL (Infiltration Duct Leakage certification through BPI) or DET (Duct & Envelope Tightness certification through RESNET).

Is a blower door test worth it?

If a house is built to a blower door test standard, not only will it save the most on energy, it will also ensure the structure’s health and longevity. Replacing recessed lighting, upgrading insulation, adding weather-stripping – these are all easy energy fixes.

What is a blown door test?

In simple terms, a blower door test is a diagnostic procedure performed by a certified professional to identify air leakage in a building. It simulates observing the home (or building) with a 20 mile per hour wind blowing on it, so wherever air can enter it will.

What is a good blower door test score?

A good rule of thumb is that your home should have a blower door number less than or equal to its square footage. Here are some things to know: a. If your home is 2000 square feet, a blower door number of 2000 cfm50 is decent (but not especially good).

How long does it take to do a blower door test?

5-15 minutes
How long does a blower door test take? It takes approx. 5-15 minutes to run the actual blower door test itself. It’s the prepping that takes the longest, about 1.5 hours on a standard home.

What is BPI certification?

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is a nationally recognized certification, accreditation, and quality assurance body for home performance contractors. BPI training is meant for those who currently work hands-on in the construction and/or remodeling industries.

How can I test my home for air tightness?

The easiest way to measure building airtightness is with a diagnostic tool called a blower door. The blower door consists of a powerful, calibrated fan that is temporarily sealed into an exterior doorway. The fan blows air out of the house to create a slight pressure difference between inside and outside.

What does blower door test measure?

Blower doors consist of a frame and flexible panel that fit in a doorway, a variable-speed fan, a digital pressure gauge to measure the pressure differences inside and outside the home, which are connected to a device for measuring airflow, known as a manometer. Uncalibrated blower doors can only locate leaks in homes.

What is a good ACH50 score?

ACH50 less than 5.0 – Tight House. ACH50 between 5.0 and 10.0 – Moderate House. ACH50 above 10.0 – Leaky House.

How much does BPI certification cost?

BPI certification review requires six to eight weeks AFTER receipt of test results and other required information. BPI – NSF review costs US$1,500 (for products made from certified materials), but can cost up to US$4,500 for entirely new materials. Licensing costs $3,000 per year for three years.

What is a blower door test?

Last year we built an Energy Star Home for a customer and we used a blower door test to evaluate the houses air infiltration performance. Simply put a blower door is a diagnostic tool used to measure how much air infiltration (air leakage) occurs in a house.

Can you do a blower door test at Rough-in?

In fact, blower door tests can be done at rough-in. However, your home will score better if the test is done when finished out, including having water in all pipes. The main air handler for the HVAC as well as all ductwork should be installed and sealed to required specifications.

What is a blower door apparatus?

The blower door apparatus allows testers to apply a consistent and measurable pressure to the house so that houses can be compared accurately. As you can see in the photo the blower door is installed in an exterior doorway.

How much air does a blower door replace?

For every cubic foot of air that leaves the house through the fan at the door during a blower door test a cubic foot of air replaces it from all of the holes and cracks in the foundation, walls, ceiling, inefficient windows and doors as well as many other places around the home that you may not be aware are connected to the outside.