Blower Door Test Michigan

The new code went into effect for all homes permitted after february 8 2016.

Blower door test michigan.

Code compliance performance prescriptive energy rating index hers ratings blower door duct leakage testing manual j s and d analysis energy modeling thermal infrared inspections residential construction consulting combustion zone testing. Understanding blower door test results. Greenedge of michigan baker commons 217 e 24th st. Simply put a blower door is a diagnostic tool used to measure how much air infiltration air leakage occurs in a house.

Prior to starting construction on an addition a benchmark of the existing building must be made with an initial blower door. A blower door test determines how airtight a home is. These problem spots are easier to find using the infrared camera to determine the air infiltration points to help with evaluating indoor air quality. Air leakage is also the same as letting a house breathe and a house can have too much or too little.

To pass the blower door test in the prescriptive path in the new michigan energy code requires a home to be equal to or less than 4 ach50 air changes per hour with the blower door depressurizing the home to 50 pa. Too much and its drafty too little and you have to install mechanical ventilation which can be expensive. Based on 2015 michigan residential code n1 102 4 1 2 county building departments are requiring a blower door test for new homes and in some counties additions as well. By measuring the air flow through the fan and its effect on the air pressure in the home or office the blower door system measures the air tightness of the entire building envelope.

A blower door test is now required for every new home in michigan that pulled a permit after february 8 2016. The new code requires homes to be at or below 4 00 ach50 air changers per hour with a blower door running at 50 pascals. Blower doors test the amount of natural air leakage in a house. A blower door test must be preformed before and after the addition is made.

On page 447 michigan energy code n1102 4 1 2 of the 2015 michigan residential code book states that the building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding 4 air changes per hour. To avoid conflict of interest michigan code officials require builders to use an independent third party to complete testing code n1102 4 1 2. It is also required for additions and major renovations. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0 2 inches w g.