What is a Blower Door Test?- IECC Code Compliance-Maryland
Simply put, a Blower Door Test is a leakage test required in Maryland in order to recieve U&O, read more below!!
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Check out this video on how a Blower Door Test is completed!
If you're building a new home in Maryland, it's important to make sure it meets the state's energy efficiency requirements. One of the ways to test this is by conducting a blower door test.
What is a blower door test? AKA blower door test, blower door, door testing
A Blower Door Test is a diagnostic test that is used to measure the airtightness of a building. The test involves setting up a specialized fan that is placed in an exterior doorway of the building. The fan is used to depressurize the building by drawing air out of the building, which causes air to be drawn in through any leaks or gaps in the building's envelope.
During the test, a technician will use specialized equipment to measure the amount of air flowing through the fan and the pressure differences between the inside and outside of the building. This information is used to determine the building's air leakage rate, which is expressed in cubic feet per minute per square foot of building envelope area.
Blower Door Tests are commonly used in Maryland and other states to identify air leaks in homes and other buildings. Air leaks can cause drafts, uneven heating and cooling, and increased energy costs. By identifying and sealing these leaks, homeowners can improve their home's energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality.
To prepare for a blower door test, you can take several steps to ensure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible.
This includes sealing air leaks around:
Windows
Doors
Any Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC penetrations that are leading into the home from the attic or basement
Sheathing seams pre drywall
HVAC System in the attic
By taking these steps and passing a blower door test, you can not only meet the state's energy efficiency requirements, but also enjoy the benefits of an energy-efficient home, such as lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
The ACH Code for new homes in Maryland is 3 ACH 50 (air changes per hour) at 50 Pascals of pressure. This means that in a Blower Door Test, the new home should not exceed 3 air changes per hour when the building is depressurized to 50 Pascals of pressure. I’ve ran into situations where we’re well under the 3 ACH 50 testing number, and we’re well over the 3 ACH 50 testing number. Either way, we like to work with our customers to make sure they’re going to pass.
The ACH Code is a standard for measuring the airtightness of a building, and it is used to ensure that new homes meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. A lower ACH value indicates a tighter, more energy-efficient building envelope, while a higher ACH value indicates more air leakage and a less efficient building envelope.
In Maryland, new homes are required to meet the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards, which include a maximum ACH value of 3 ACH at 50 Pascals of pressure. This requirement applies to all new homes built in Maryland, regardless of the heating or cooling system used in the home.
So if you're building a new home in Maryland, don't forget to schedule a blower door test to ensure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible. Contact a us today to get started!
CALL, EMAIL, OR SCHEDULE A BLOWER DOOR BELOW
