Blower Door Testing

A blower door test measures the air tightness of a building. Blower door testing is required by code for all new construction before you can get a Certificate of Occupancy (COO).  This applies to residential homes and apartments/condos less than 4 stories.  The code requires an air leakage rate of 4 Air Changes per Hour (ACH) at a pressure of 50 Pascals.  It's a pretty high bar to pass the test, especially if you are not building with the expectation of having to pass the test. 

 

So why does the energy code mandate that we build houses so tight that we have to have mechanical ventilation?  Because it saves energy and makes the building more comfortable.  

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Our blower door tests cost $199 for subdivisions and $250 for individual tests.