Blower Door Testing

E-Calcs Plus, Inc. is RESNET-certified to perform Envelope Leakage Tests & Blower Door Testing in Florida! We perform a blower door test to assess and detect air leakage, ensuring that your building achieves full compliance with Florida building code standards.

Let us become your Blower Door (i.e. Envelope Leakage) Testing Provider and improve your home energy efficiency!

What are the benefits?

Detect & repair drafts or leakages

Save money & reduce energy usage

Regulate indoor air quality

Moisture control

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Building code compliance

As of July 1st, 2017 Blower Door testing is a residential requirement for all new homes and multi-family buildings per Florida building code compliance.  

The 7th Edition Residential Florida Energy Code requires:

  • Each house and/or unit must pass a Blower Door Test (i.e. Envelope Leakage Test) with 7 air changes per hour (7 ACH(50)) or less and the Blower Door Tested value must be equal to, or lower than, the value entered on the R405-2020 Energy Compliance Form.

  • Mechanical Ventilation is implemented for houses that test at 3 air changes per hour (3 ACH(50)) or less for the Blower Door Test – especially Foam encapsulated attics, which already require outside air supply. In short, if the home is built too tight, or with excessive insulation, then you must create a small hole in the wall to allow fresh air to enter and ventilate throughout.

Licensed field technicians

Test completion the next day

What to expect for my Blower Door / Envelope Leakage Test
Preparation Checklist

Before scheduling a Blower Door test, please ensure the pre-test requirements are completed to prevent any delays. Download preparation checklist here.

Scheduling a test

Please call or email elizabeth@ecalcsplus.com to schedule a test. Please provide the site address and energy calculations for your new project. Once the order is placed, we schedule our field technicians in the next business day to come to the site and will notify you prior to our arrival.

How blower door testing works

A specialized fan is placed in the front door of your home or building. This fan depressurizes the home by blowing air out of the fan, and in turn, sucking air into the home itself. A computer hooked to the device measures pressure inside and outside of the home. Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). This calculation is used to determine the amount of air moving through the fan.

Identifying air leaks & drafts

Air leakage can easily be found by walking around the house and feeling for airflow – usually around exterior doors, windows, and any wires, pipes, etc. going to the exterior of the building.

Computing test results

By bringing the test pressure to 50 pascals, we are able to calculate the cubic volume of airflow in the home. From that number we can determine how many air changes per hour that the home leaks. The lower the number the better. Ideal air changes for a net zero home is 1-2 changes/hour.

Do I need to do a Duct Leakage Test?

Duct leakage tests must be conducted during your blower door/envelope leakage test. If your Florida Energy Compliance Form (R405) lists anything besides ‘Default Leakage’ than a duct leakage test must be performed. Learn more about ordering a Duct Leakage Test here.

Do I need insurance coverage?

Obtaining insurance coverage is not required to perform these tests. However, we offer Certificates of Insurance (COI) for contractors and builders to ensure protection against general liability. Please call to inquire more when scheduling your test.

Ready to Get Started?