What is the purpose of conducting a blower door test?

Conducting a blower door test serves the primary purpose of determining the airtightness of a building. This test measures the amount of air that leaks into or out of a building under a specific pressure difference, typically created by a fan. By quantifying how much air passes through the building envelope, practitioners can identify areas where air is infiltrating or exfiltrating, which can lead to energy loss and impact indoor comfort levels.

Airtightness is a crucial factor in energy efficiency since it directly affects heating and cooling loads; buildings that leak air can experience increased energy consumption as systems work harder to maintain desired temperatures. This test also provides valuable data for optimizing building performance, improving insulation, and ensuring that ventilation systems operate effectively.

While measuring humidity levels, analyzing energy consumption patterns, and checking carbon monoxide levels are important for various assessments, they do not fall within the specific scope and purpose of a blower door test.