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What We Do
At Blower Door Queen in Citrus County, Florida, we specialize in rapid, blower door testing and duct leakage testing to ensure your building meets the highest standards before applying for a Certificate of Occupancy. Unlike our competitors, we offer fast, reliable inspections within 4 days, saving you time and reducing delays. Our expert team delivers accurate results and exceptional customer service, making us your go-to choice for a smooth and efficient inspection process. At Blower Door Queen, all our techs are Licensed, Insured and BPI Certified. Trust Blower Door Queen to give your building the royal treatment it deserves.
Blower Door Testing
Since July 2017, Florida Building Code has required all new residential construction to have a blower door test done to prove air infiltration to be between 3 to 7 air changes per hour. The higher the air change per hour, the larger the amount of air leakage in your home. Air leakage effects your air quality and can impact your energy usage.
If the less than 3 ACH per hour is found, then the building will have to have some form of mechanical ventilation. If mechanical ventilation is needed, plans have to be submitted and approved showing how the ventilation is achieved.
Building officials rely that the Blower Door Test is done by a third party trained and accredited to perform the test. The test cannot be performed by anyone who was involved with the design or construction of the home including HVAC installers and electricians. The time it takes to test the home for code compliance can vary from 30 minutes to two hours. Depending on the home’s size. Once testing begins no one will be able to exit building until testing is completed.
If winds are 20 mph or greater on the day of your test, we will need to reschedule your test. You will not receive an accurate test result under these conditions.
Preparing for a Blower Door Test
Blower Door Queen tech will perform the blower door test, including a walk-through of your home, setting up the blower door, and conducting the test. Tech will need access to all areas of your home including closets, built-in cabinets, attics, crawl spaces, and any unused rooms.
During walk-through tech will need to check door weather stripping (install in necessary) close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Open all interior doors, and close any fireplace dampers, doors, and woodstove air inlets. Turning off any exhaust fans, dryer and A/C that is in use. Gas / Propane will be turn off.
For New Construction Homes
For Florida Code compliance, the Blower Door Test is conducted just before the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued, after all piping, wiring and other penetrations of the home thermal envelope have been sealed.
Door weather strips are installed for all exterior doors and door leading into garage door or within the home to be installed by tech.
If blown-in or batt insulation has been used it is highly recommended that all electrical covers, drywall holes, and all penetrations otherwise, be finished. If baseboard is noticeably above the floor throughout the house, it is also recommended that they be caulked to the floor to insure a passing score.
Prepping for older homes
***If you suspect you have asbestos or vermiculate materials in your home, please advise your tech before conducting the test.***
The blower door test may take up to two hours pending on the size of the home.
Gas /propane will be turned off at main. We will not be able to assist in reigniting the pilot light.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure all fires are completely out – not even coals – before the tech arrives. Make sure all ash, soot and other burned contents (leftover logs) are cleaned out. The flute and doors are closed.
All pets should be secure during the blower door setup and break down as an exterior door will need to be open for a short period of time.
We will be turning off your HVAC system before testing begins.
During this test, dirt and dust that may be trapped behind walls or in other areas could be pulled into your home. We encourage you to stow away all valuables prior to the tech arrival.
During the Test
Gas or Propane appliances such as a stove should not be used during the test.
Dryer and exhaust fans, will be turned off before testing begin.
During the test, we ask that you minimize activity in the home. All interior doors will need to be open. Activities such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, showering, using restrooms, etc. are not advised. You will not be able to enter or exit the home during the test.
After the Test
Our tech will provide you with your written blower door test result and the PDF file emailed within hours.
Payment is expected at the conclusion of the test. We only accept Cash and Checks.
Duct Leakage Testing
Leaks in the air ducts can cause conditioned air (the air you paying for to heat or cool your home) to be lost in the attic, crawl space or garage. In many cases, air losses of up to 30% occur before air even enters the conditioned space. This not only increases energy bills but also causes discomfort within the home. Pressure buildup in these unconditioned spaces often can lead to mold growth, and ultimately creates more air leakage within the home. Additionally, the air that leaks from the ducts can contain contaminants such as dust, mold, and allergens, which can reduce indoor air quality and cause respiratory problems.
To prevent duct leakage, it is important to have regular maintenance and inspections of HVAC systems, as well as properly sealing ductwork during installation or renovation projects. By minimizing duct leakage, homeowners can improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while also reducing costs in the long term.
Duct Leakage Testing is required on your project if anything other than default leakage is specified under the ducts section of your Energy Calculation.
A duct leakage tester is a diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of forced air heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork. A duct leakage tester consists of a calibrated fan for measuring an air flow rate and a pressure sensing device to measure the pressure created by the fan flow. The combination of pressure and fan flow measurements are used to determine the ductwork airtightness.
Here’s how a duct leakage test works:
Seal all duct system openings, including supply and return registers, with HVAC tape
Hook a calibrated fan to one unsealed register
Run the fan to depressurize the duct system
Measure the amount of air moving through the fan
The number generated under 25 pascals of pressure is known as CFM@25
The cost of a duct leakage test depends on the size, ceiling heights, and complexity of the home, as well as the number of mechanical systems.
Process
The Process
Service Process
At Blower Door Queen, we follow a streamlined process to enhance your home’s energy efficiency:
Initial Consultation
We assess your needs through a detailed discussion and gather relevant information.
Comprehensive Testing
Our team conducts a thorough blower door test to identify air leaks and energy inefficiencies.
Detailed Analysis
We analyze the test results and energy audit data to pinpoint areas for improvement.
Customized Recommendations
You receive a tailored plan with actionable steps to boost your home's efficiency and comfort.
Let's Connect With Us
Do You Have Any Questions?
We’re here to help you with all your energy efficiency needs! Whether you have questions about our services, want to schedule a blower door test, or need assistance with any concerns, our dedicated team is ready to assist you. Please reach out via phone, email, or our convenient contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Your journey towards a more energy-efficient home starts with just a message!
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