Are you looking for a trusted energy consulting firm to handle your blower door test?

Green Energy 360 provides blower door tests in the Washington and Baltimore Metro Areas, Northern Virginia, Frederick, and Annapolis, so you can ensure your building is up to code and as comfortable as possible.

Stay Compliant with Energy Code

If your project involves building a new home, an addition, or major structural changes to existing exterior walls or ceilings, you may be required to demonstrate a minimum level of air tightness. Air tightness is measured through a blower door test, which is required by the code to demonstrate compliance. For areas that require blower door testing for businesses, blower door and duct leakage testing must be performed by an approved third-party energy testing professional.

What Is a Blower Door Test?

A blower door test is used to evaluate how airtight the envelope of a building is by depressurizing the indoor space. The test uses specialized fans to pump air in and out of the building and so we can measure the total air leakage rate to assess the performance of the building’s air barriers. Green Energy 360 also uses infrared imaging to identify trouble spots or hard-to-see air leaks.

For blower door tests in commercial buildings, multiple large fans may be used to achieve the correct amount of pressure. To minimize disruption to occupants, Green Energy 360 can ensure blower door tests are performed when the building is unoccupied.

What To Expect During A Blower Door Test

Building Prep

Close all exterior windows and doors
HVAC vents must be taped off and dampers mechanically closed
Interior doors must be propped open
Any dropped ceiling tiles must be moved to allow for air movement

Fan Set Up

A series of varying fans are temporarily installed on exterior bay doors. Fan strength will be determined by the square footage of the space being tested.

Visual Analysis

Your blower door test technician visually inspects the property to account for any factors that may impact the results of your blower door test.

Blower Door Test Results

Once the testing is complete, we will generate a comprehensive report describing the conditions of the building and how it compares to your overall energy goals and needs.

What buildings are required to follow DC Energy and Green Construction Codes?

The 2017 residential provisions of the DC Energy Conservation Code (ECC)* require applicable projects to conduct building leakage and duct leakage testing. The Residential ECC covers all single-family homes and townhouses in the DC metro area, as well as multifamily buildings with 3 stories or less above grade. Blower door and duct leakage testing must be performed by an approved third-party energy testing professional.