At what pressure do you typically run a blower door test on a residential building?

A blower door test is a crucial tool used to assess the air leakage or air tightness of a residential building. During this test, the building is pressurized or depressurized to measure how much air flows through unintentional openings, helping to identify areas of inefficiency.

The standard pressure at which a blower door test is conducted is 50 pascals. This pressure level is established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and serves as a consistent benchmark for comparing air leakage rates across different buildings. By using this standardized pressure, it allows for uniformity in data collection and analysis, making it easier to assess compliance with building energy codes and standards.

When a building is tested at 50 pascals, it simulates the natural wind pressures experienced in real-world conditions, providing accurate and relevant results regarding the air tightness of the building envelope. The testing method aids in identifying leak locations, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing indoor air quality.

Using pressures other than 50 pascals, such as 25, 75, or 100 pascals, would not align with standard practice for determining performance metrics since they are not the widely accepted reference for conducting such tests. These alternative pressures might provide differing results,