Yes. Blower door testing is not just for brand-new homes trying to pass inspection. It’s just as valuable, and often more eye-opening, for existing homes dealing with comfort issues, high energy bills, or moisture problems.
Whether you’re a builder finishing a new project or a homeowner living in a house built 20, 40, or even 100 years ago, blower door testing provides real data about how your home performs. The purpose is the same in both cases: identify uncontrolled air leakage and understand how air is moving through the structure.
The difference is why the test is being done and what happens after.
For new construction, blower door testing is primarily about code compliance.
In Middle Tennessee and most jurisdictions following the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), new homes are required to meet a specific air tightness threshold. This is measured in air changes per hour at 50 Pascals, commonly referred to as ACH50.
Blower door testing on new construction helps:
New homes may look airtight, but appearances lie. Even high-end builds with spray foam insulation can fail if air sealing details are missed. Top plates, attic penetrations, garage interfaces, and mechanical chases are common problem areas.
Testing provides objective proof that the home meets standards inspectors require.
New construction blower door testing happens at the appropriate inspection phase, typically:
Testing at this stage allows issues to be corrected quickly and inexpensively. Waiting until final inspection often turns small fixes into big headaches.
Existing homes are tested for a completely different reason. Here, the focus shifts from code compliance to diagnosis and improvement.
Many homeowners live with problems they assume are normal:
A blower door test shows why these issues exist.
For existing homes, a blower door test can:
Older homes were rarely built with modern air sealing standards. That doesn’t mean they’re bad homes. It just means air moves through them freely, often in ways that hurt comfort and efficiency.
Testing replaces guessing with measurable data.
No. Existing homes are not tested to “pass” or “fail.”
Instead, results are used to:
Lower ACH numbers indicate tighter homes, but tighter is not always better without proper ventilation. The goal is controlled air movement, not sealing a home shut.
A blower door test gives homeowners clarity, not judgment.
The actual test procedure is the same whether the home is brand new or decades old.
We use:
The equipment depressurizes or pressurizes the home to simulate natural pressure forces like wind and stack effect. From there, airflow is measured and analyzed.
Same test. Different goals.
Blower door testing serves different needs, but the value is real in both cases.
For builders:
For homeowners:
In both cases, the test provides insight that visual inspections alone cannot.
Homes undergoing major renovations or additions also benefit from blower door testing.
Testing before and after work allows you to:
This is especially helpful for homeowners investing in insulation, window upgrades, or HVAC improvements.
We provide certified blower door testing for both new construction and existing homes throughout Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Columbia, and surrounding areas.
Whether you need documentation for an inspector or answers about why your home feels uncomfortable, testing gives you real information to work from.
Yes, we test both new construction and existing homes.
For new builds, blower door testing ensures code compliance and smooth inspections. For existing homes, it diagnoses air leakage, comfort issues, and energy loss.
Different reasons. Same proven process. Real results either way.