Blower Door Test In Camden County, NJ
Contractors that are building residential or commercial structures in Camden County, New Jersey will be required to pass a blower door test to comply with New Jersey Energy Code. Prior to scheduling a blower door test for a home or building in Camden County, NJ be sure to know what are the leakage air requirements for Camden County. As of 2021, NJ counties are required to have less than 3 air changes per hour (ACH). Once the cubic feet of a room are determined one needs to identify airflow rate which is measured in CFM.
The formula for ACH equals (CFM x 60) / Room Volume (cubic feet). Since New Jersey Energy Code requires an ACH of 3 or less anything greater than 3 means that too much air is escaping the room which would result in a failure. Be sure that you hire a BPI certified professional to ensure that the test is being executed correctly. It’s important to understand how crucial it is to hire someone who has a grasp of the local county codes and has had experience in the State of New Jersey.
How To Prepare for a Blower Door Test?
Get armed with a caulk gun, spray foam, and a small flashlight that can identify small gaps in the construction. One can find these gaps where the pipes or wiring enters into the living space from the attic. Keep the lights off and you will spot the slight gap that could be just a few millimeters. Place some caulk or spray foam to plug it up giving it an airtight seal. Make sure to inspect windows and air conditioning ducts so that there is no space for air to escape. As for windows once they are installed it could be challenging to inspect because everything is already covered up. That’s why it’s best to be on top of your team to confirm that the windows were sealed properly prior to the molding installation.
Spot lights that are not flush against the ceiling can also cause unwanted air leakage. Give a peek while you’re on a ladder to ensure that they are set properly. There is some leeway in Camden County, New Jersey for air to escape but not much. Once your visual inspection is complete the blower door test could be executed.
When Is The Time For a Blower Door Test?
The ideal time to conduct a blower door test is after insulation has been installed throughout the building or home. It’s not uncommon for contractors to find that newly installed windows and doors have air leakage that will negatively impact a blower door test. The opportune time to have a blower door test is while the construction is still raw. This gives the contractor the flexibility of fixing the air leakage issues if the test results in a failure. The last thing the homeowner would want is the contractor to start ripping up sheetrock to fix spots that have air leakage.
Having a blower door test can be intimidating to a contractor’s handy work but it will ensure that the home is comfortable and energy efficient. Not always do you get a pass on the first blower door test but BPI certified professionals will direct you on how to achieve a pass according to the New Jersey Energy Code in Camden County.
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