Energy Efficiency Testing

What is a blower door? 

A blower door test is a crucial component of building evaluation. This sophisticated instrument helps assess a building's airtightness by measuring the airflow at a specific pressure. The industry standard is to test at 50 pascals, resulting in the measurement known as ACH50.

What is "ACH?"

ACH stands for air changes per hour and is a widely used measurement in the building industry. It represents the number of times the air inside a building is exchanged with outdoor air in one hour. For example, in Montana, the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code requires a building to have less than 4 ACH50, meaning the air inside the building must change four times or less in one hour at 50 pascals of pressure, roughly equivalent to a 20 mph wind blowing at the side of the structure.  

AHHH! You're building the house too tight! Houses need to breathe! 

Contrary to popular belief, making a building airtight does not mean stopping all air movement. Instead, the goal is to properly manage the air inside the building. This is where HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) and ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) systems come into play. These systems work by exchanging air between the inside and outside of the building through air filters and a heat exchanger, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, clean filtered air. While homes don't need to breathe, the people inside do, and HRV/ERV systems play a crucial role in providing a healthy indoor environment.