Blower Door Draft Testing

blower door test

If you've ever wondered where your home might be leaking your heated and cooled air, a blower door test is the best way to find out. Wisconsin Home Improvement uses blower door draft testing to find gaps, cracks and holes in your home's building envelope, or the boundary between your conditioned indoor air and the unconditioned air. Sealing and insulating your home's building envelope leads to energy savings for many years to come.

How Does Blower Door Test Equipment Work?

Blower door test equipment consists of a large, powerful fan that is fitted into an exterior door in your home. Its adjustable panels allow our team to fit it tightly within the door frame. When turned on, the powerful fan will blow interior air outside and create negative air pressure within your home.

To ensure the blower door can properly lower your home's air pressure, it's important to do a little preparation before the appointment, according to Energy.gov:

  • Close all exterior windows and doors tightly.
  • Open all interior room and closet doors.
  • If your fireplace, woodstove or pellet stove has been used recently, make sure the fire is completely out, including coals. Remove any ashes and close flues.
  • The auditor will disable any combustion appliances like furnaces, water heaters or gas stoves for safety and reactivate them after the test is completed.

When the Blower Door Fan is Activated

The blower door fan will blow air from the interior of the house outside, lowering the air pressure inside the building envelope. When the pressure gauge that measures inside and outside pressure reaches the desired readings, the auditor will begin inspecting the interior. Using infrared thermal imaging equipment, the tester will review each room of the home, noting areas where temperature differences indicate that outside air is infiltrating (or leaking into) the building envelope. Using a camera, the auditor will identify areas that need to be sealed and insulated.

Reviewing Test Results

Our home performance audit generally takes about 90 minutes, and we always encourage homeowners to accompany our auditors as they take readings throughout the home. Inevitably, questions arise -- we are happy to answer any and all during the inspection! The auditor will point out specific areas that need attention, including any needed air sealing or added insulation. Making sure your home is properly sealed and insulated will ensure home energy savings, improved efficiency and added year-round comfort.

Ready to see how your home airtightness measures up? Contact WHI today to schedule a blower door test, and be sure to check out our current specials to see how you can save! You'll be amazed at the energy savings and added comfort a well-sealed home can offer.

 

SUMMER SPECIAL:

Get up to 73% off insulation, air sealing, and ventilation packages!

12 With incentives valued up to $3,525.

Available while funds last - this deal will run out!

12 Months Same As Cash Financing

Call Now At 262.229.4170 Or Contact Us To Get Started

How airtight is your home?

We use top-quality diagnostic tools to find out!

262.345.9922

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  • Teresa

    I am so grateful for everyone at Wisconsin Home Improvement. I will always recommend you to anyone looking to have insulation services.

  • Jenny P.

    I just wanted to extend a thank you to you and all of your employees who have spent time at our home fixing our attic issues.

  • James V.

    Dear Steve, 

    We at Grace are so pleased with the quality of work and the professionalism of the crew that did the insulation. Mike and Igor were so respectful of the building and its contents, and so nice to everyone in the congregation who was working at church. 

    James V., Milwaukee, WI
  • Cindy S.

    I really feel compelled to give a "shout out" to everyone I have come into contact with at WHI. First off - Jody. You are so friendly and helpful on the phone, forgiving me for my inability to "on-line sign", switching up of dates, declining work and then changing my mind.

    Cindy S., Whitefish Bay, WI
  • Tim S.

    Steve, just a side note and I would not send this if it was not completely true - Mike and Pete were both fantastic. I was impressed. We had just had other major construction and have many comparatives for the work WHI did. I would come home and never know they had even been there.

  • Mike & Erin M.

    We wanted to provide feedback on our experience with Peter, who did our home energy audit.  We felt he went above and beyond what was expected of him.  He was very thorough and was genuinely concerned about any issues causing inefficiencies in our home.  He explained things in terms we... Read More

  • I wanted to thank you and your team again for the
    great work you did and insulating our home. It is only been a week, and the
    difference is amazing. Every room in this house feel substantially warmer.

  • Your employees were prompt, courteous and friendly.

    Lois W., Menomonee Falls, WI
  • Thursday and Friday of last week one of your crews were at my home putting in some additional insulation and doing some other work. I just wanted to tell you that my wife and I were very impressed with the professionalism of your men.

    John & Jennifer P., WI
  • Please thank your crew for the great job they did here. They were all very personable, worked very hard, and they took the time to explain what they were doing.

    Barbara F., Belgium, WI
  • Jan and I were amazed and impressed by the crew’s positive work ethic coupled with their gracious and friendly manner. Obviously they knew what they were doing and set to task with quickness and absolute thoroughness… you have our deepest appreciation.

    JoAnne and Jan V., Greendale, WI
  • The work your team did is fantastic! Also I would like to compliment your crew on their professional approach to our house and their work.

    Ryan, WI
  • Steve and Frank are very good representations of your firm -- very professional. Thanks!

    Jim Young, WI
  • We were pleased with work done by Mike and Kevin. They deserve a pat on the back. Thanks!

    Eugene Hefter, WI
  • I just wanted to take a minute to thank you and your Madison crew for the great work they are doing. Over the last few months I have worked closely with Dann, Roger, Marc and Jeremy and am extremely impressed with their attitudes and the quality of their work.

    Brandon Langeteig, Project Home, Inc.
Save up to 73% off insulation, air sealing & ventilation packages while incentives are still available!