
Why do I need a building envelope test?
Your home leaks air every day. It does this in cold or hot weather and can lead to higher energy bills throughout the year. Over time, this can also put significant strain on your HVAC system, causing it to wear out sooner, and require a frequent need for repairs. These are just some of the many reasons why you need a building envelope test.
With excess leakage, you also leave yourself open to property damage resulting from moisture between your walls and outside contaminants. Unfortunately, homeowners never notice these signs until it’s too late and they need to make some significant repairs. With building envelope testing, you can isolate leaks in your home and identify problems before they get worse.
Although it’s normal for homes to leak some air, too much leakage will cause your home not to pass the energy efficiency standard of the PA Energy Code. You are required to pass a building envelope test if you are building a new home or are making major renovations.

How to pass a building envelope test
The best way to pass a building envelope test is with the help of a licensed inspector. They can pinpoint areas of your home that need significant improvements and make expert recommendations on how you can do it. But homeowners can do things on their own to help their homes pass a building envelope test and reach compliance with the PA Energy Code.
Southeastern Pennsylvania is in energy climate zone 4 according to the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code). In climate zone 4, a number of 3 air changes per hour is a passing score for a blower door test. However, Pennsylvania has increased the number of allowable air changes to 5 per hour.