A blower door test puts a number on how leaky a house is. We set a calibrated fan in an exterior doorway, pull the house down to a set pressure, and measure how much air forces its way back in through the gaps. No guessing. You get air changes per hour — ACH — on paper.

 

For new construction in Georgia, this test isn't optional. The state energy code requires a blower door test before the home passes final inspection. Builders across northwest Georgia call us to get it done right the first time.

 

What a Blower Door Test Measures

 

The fan depressurizes the house to 50 pascals. Gauges record the airflow in cubic feet per minute — CFM50. We convert that to ACH50, which tells you how many times per hour the full volume of indoor air would swap with outside air at that pressure.

 

Georgia caps new homes at 5 air changes per hour. Most well-built homes come in well under that. When one doesn't, the number shows how far off it is, and the test helps track down where the air is getting through — top plates, rim joists, can lights, attic hatches, the usual suspects.

 

Why It Matters Beyond Code

 

A leaky house costs money every month. Conditioned air pours out, humid Georgia air pours in, and the HVAC runs longer than it should. Tight houses are more comfortable, quieter, and cheaper to heat and cool. The blower door test is the only way to prove the envelope performs the way the plans said it would.

 

For owners of existing homes, a blower door test is the starting point for any serious energy upgrade. It shows whether air sealing will pay off before you spend a dime on insulation or new equipment.

 

What to Expect on Test Day

 

Plan on about an hour at the house. The home needs to be dried in — windows and exterior doors installed, mechanicals roughed in. We handle the setup, run the test, and walk you through the numbers on the spot. You get a written report with the ACH result the same day.

 

Logan Hilton is a Certified HERS Rater. Every test follows the same procedure, every time, so the number holds up wherever it needs to.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does a blower door test take?

About an hour on site for a typical single-family home. Larger or complicated houses can take a little longer.

 

What happens if the house fails the test?

We don't hand you a failing number and leave. We help pinpoint where the air is leaking so your crew knows what to seal, then we come back and retest.

 

Do you test existing homes, or only new construction?

Both. Most of our work is new construction for code compliance, but we test existing homes for homeowners chasing drafts, high bills, or comfort problems.

 

What needs to be ready before you show up?

Windows and exterior doors installed, and the house dried in. We confirm the checklist when you schedule.

 

Need a blower door test in northwest Georgia? Call Northwest Georgia Blower Door at (706) 980-3462. Logan Hilton, Certified HERS Rater, based in Adairsville, GA 30103. Fast scheduling, same-day reports.