
Residential Comfort & Energy EfficiencyI invite you to explore my YouTube channel, where you'll see first-hand some of the issues we are out there fixing. Friday, January 01 2021
IECC Energy Code Testing - Blower Door TestThis beautiful new construction house that was completed in summer 2020 located in New Windsor, MD went through one of it's final steps to pass the energy code in the state of Maryland. The blower door test, or air leakage test was performed in accordance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and Maryland Energy Code Compliance. The air leakage code requires that a house test at equal to or less than three air changes per hour (3ACH). The test was conducted using the ASTM E1827 - single point method. The blower door test was conducted five times and each measurement was recorded and entered into the report. Each test result yielded an ACH number less than two so the house passed with flying colors. In Carroll County Maryland and many other counties across the country, it is important to consider the building envelope during each construction phase so that your house is sealed properly and it can also easily pass the test. Tighter houses use less energy and are more comfortable. In a tighter house you control the home's "breathing" rather than letting your energy dollars escape through the various holes to the outside around a typical residential building's shell.
Watch an explanation of the blower door test during a guest appearance at the Montgomery County Energy Connection video shoot.
General Guide to Air Sealing a HomeThe blower door test will reveal whether these measures were properly taken during the construction of the home. 1. Air barrier and thermal barrier.
2. Ceiling/attic
3. Walls
4. Windows, skylight and doors
5. Rim Joists
6. Insulation must be installed and affixed to the underside of the subfloor plywood.
7. Crawl Space Walls
8. Shafts, penetrations
9. Narrow Cavities
10. Garage Separation
11. Recessed Lighting
12. Plumbing and wiring
13. Shower/tub on exterior wall
14. Electrical/phone box on exterior walls
15. HVAC duct measures
16. Fireplace
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