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What is a Blower Door Test?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

If you've successfully completed Home Energy Survey Professional training, you're probably familiar with the Blower Door Test. However, if you're considering a home energy survey professional career or are simply a concerned homeowner looking to cut energy costs, than read on.

A blower door test is a method used by professional home energy auditors to assess a building's airtightness and determine the infiltration rate. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, determining a home's airtightness is important for:

-Avoiding moisture condensation issues

-Reducing energy consumption due to air leaking in and out of a home

-Ensuring a home's air quality is not contaminated by indoor pollutants

To perform the test, a professional energy auditor places the blower door within the frame of an exterior door. The blower door is a powerful fan that pulls air out of a home in order to lower the air pressure inside. This process allows the higher outside air pressure to enter the home through any unknown cracks or openings. The auditor will use another tool, like a smoke pencil, to locate possible air leaks.

To prepare for a home door blower test, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following:

-Turn down thermostats on water heaters and heaters

-Close all interior doors and windows

-Shut fireplace doors and dampers

-Cover ashes in wood stoves; shut wood stove air intakes

The blower door test is one way a home energy auditor can help a homeowner identify costly energy issues within their home. Not only is it an easy and responsible way to reduce your carbon footprint, it's also a smart way to save money on unnecessary, wasted energy costs.

For more information on home energy audits, visit the U.S. Department of Energy at www.energysavers.gov. And if you interested in learning more about how you can enter this growing industry, consider an online green career training course and work towards your new career in your free time.

Posted by Danielle Darany @ 10:18 AM • 0 comments