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The Essentials of Blower Door Testing: Enhancing Home Energy Efficiency
Air leaks are the biggest factor in your home's thermal efficiency. Blower door testing is the best way to measure how leaky your home is, and find where the gaps are, so you can seal them off.
Understanding how well your home is sealed against air leakage is crucial for home energy efficiency. 'Blower door' testing is the gold standard for measuring air tightness for any building, including for your home.
In this article, we will explore what blower door testing is, its importance, and how it can benefit homeowners.
What is Blower Door Testing?
Blower door testing is a diagnostic method used to measure the air-tightness of a building. It involves using a powerful fan (the blower door) mounted into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher pressure outside air will then flow in through all the cracks and openings, allowing an auditor to identify areas where a building is leaking.
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Blower door test results are usually measured in 'air changes per hour' at a pressure differential of 50 Pascals.
This refers to the total volume of air inside the building and how long it takes to completely replace all that air via the gaps and leaks, assuming a 50 Pascal pressure differential between indoors and outdoors.
The average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 101,325 Pascals, so 50 Pascals is a relatively small pressure differential.
The Importance of Blower Door Testing
Energy Efficiency
Identifying and sealing leaks will significantly improve a home's energy efficiency, as uncontrolled air leaks can waste a large portion of a home’s heating and cooling energy.
Comfort and Health
Air leaks can lead to drafts, inconsistent temperatures, and issues with moisture. Sealing these leaks will improve overall comfort and reduce the potential for mould growth and other health concerns.
Building Durability
Blower door testing can help prolong the structure’s durability by preventing unwanted moisture from entering the building envelope.
How is Blower Door Testing Conducted?
Preparation
Close all the external windows and doors, open all interior doors, and turn off all combustion appliances to avoid creating a dangerous situation with back-drafting.
The 'air changes per hour' measurement requires that the internal dimensions of the building are known so that it's possible to calculate the test envelope volume.
Setting Up the Equipment
The blower door unit is installed in an exterior door frame.
Blower door testing quite literally involves installing a fan blower into an external door frame.
The blower door is designed to fit into the door frame precisely and is sealed to prevent air leakage. The blower door consists of a calibrated fan, a frame and a panel that closely fits into the doorway, plus pressure gauges and an airflow manometer to measure the pressure inside the building and the rate of airflow.
Conducting the Test
The fan is turned on to depressurize the home. As the fan operates, it draws air out of the house, lowering the indoor air pressure down to the recommended test pressure differential of 50 Pascals below the external atmospheric air pressure.
The auditor then moves through the house, often with a smoke pencil and/or thermal camera, to detect where air is infiltrating into the building, highlighting the areas to work on for sealing up the gaps and cracks.
Analyzing Results
The results are quantified in terms of air changes per hour (ACH) or cubic meters per minute (CMM) of air leakage. This data measures how "tight" or "loose" a building is.
There is no strict minimum requirement for home air leakage, but a 'good' result is considered to be five ACH@50Pa, which means five complete air changes per hour at 50 Pascals pressure differential.
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The Role of Blower Door Testing in Australian Building Regulations
The Building Code of Australia does recognise blower door tests as a standard method to measure the air permeability of buildings, per AS/NZA ISO 9972.
Blower door testing is recognised under JP1(e) of Vol. 1 and P2.6.1(f) of Vol. 2 as a verification method for the sealing of a building’s envelope against air leakage.
While JP1(e) has different targets of air movement depending on the class of building, P2.6.1(f), which deals with most residential buildings, sets out a clear target of 10m3/hr.m2@50Pa or 10 air changes per hour at 50 Pa.
This means that blower door tests can be used to achieve compliance with P2.6.1(f). If airtightness is 10m3/hr.m2@50Pa or less, then a residential building’s envelope complies with P2.6.1(f).
Benefits of Blower Door Testing for Homeowners
Reduced Energy Bills
Homeowners can reduce their heating and cooling costs significantly by identifying and fixing leaks. Blower door testing is the best way to identify those leaks.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Sealing leaks can reduce the influx of dust, pollen, and other outdoor air pollutants.
Enhanced Comfort
Eliminating drafts and cold spots increases the comfort level within the home.
Prevent Structural Damage
Blower door testing can prevent structural damage caused by mould and rot by controlling moisture ingress.
Professional Services vs. DIY
While there are DIY kits available, professional blower door testing is generally more accurate and insightful. Professionals have the experience and tools necessary to conduct the test, interpret the results and provide recommendations.
Conclusion
Blower door testing is invaluable for anyone looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency. It goes beyond simple energy savings; it’s about ensuring a comfortable, healthy, and durable living space. As we move towards more energy-conscious living, understanding and applying techniques like blower door testing will become increasingly important for homeowners and builders alike.
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