What is a blower door?
Blower doors consist of a frame and flexible panel that fit in a doorway, a variable-speed fan, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure differences inside and outside the home, and an airflow manometer and hoses for measuring airflow.
As an energy auditor using blower door tests to help determine a home’s air tightness.
These are some reasons for establishing the proper building tightness:
- Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage
- Avoiding moisture condensation problems
- Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors
- Determining how much mechanical ventilation might be needed to provide acceptable indoor air quality
How does it work?
A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door or window. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. The test determines the air infiltration rate of a building.
What is a duct blaster?
A duct baster is a smaller fan which is used to directly pressure or de-pressure test the duct system for air leaks; the duct blaster fan is first connected to the duct system at the air handler return grill or main return. After sealing all supply and return grills the duct blaster is turned on to force air through all duct runs.
The next step would be to increase the fan speed until a standard test pressure is achieved in the duct system (-26 pascal). An exact leakage measurement is then made using an airflow and pressure gauge connected to the duct blaster system.
Calculations of an estimate of the efficiency loss of the duct leakage can be shown from the leakage measurements. Therefore, it is important to know your duct leakage because it is known that as much as 25% of total house energy loss comes from air infiltration. Not to mention that duct leaks can create air quality problems by pulling pollutants and irritants directly into the house.
Call today to schedule your Blower Door and Duct Leakage Test 832-661-6154
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