Blower Door testing is one of the most important diagnostics for evaluating a home’s energy performance, identifying air leakage, and meeting residential energy codes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Whether you're building a new home, renovating, or improving efficiency, a blower door test provides the verified data required for HERS Ratings, code compliance, and incentive program eligibility.
Energy Geeks provides certified Blower Door testing throughout MA & RI, following RESNET standards and state energy code requirements.
Why Blower Door Testing Matters
A blower door test is a critical diagnostic tool for understanding how tightly a home is built. By measuring air leakage levels (ACH50), the test provides a clear picture of overall envelope performance and identifies where uncontrolled air movement may be affecting comfort and efficiency.
Blower door results also influence heating and cooling loads, which directly impact system sizing, energy use, and long-term operating costs. Because airtightness is a key input in energy modeling, blower door testing plays an important role in determining HERS Rating outcomes for both new construction and renovation projects.
In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, blower door testing is often required to demonstrate energy code compliance under MA 780 CMR and RI IECC 2024, and it is commonly used to confirm eligibility for Mass Save and Rhode Island Residential New Construction (RNC) incentive programs. Proper testing ensures that performance targets are verified, documented, and accepted by building officials and program administrators.
Learn how a Blower Door Test works:
What Is a Blower Door Test?
Required Airtightness Thresholds in MA & RI
New homes must meet:
- MA Base Code: ≤ 3 ACH50
- MA Stretch Code: ≤ 3 ACH50 (often lower for high-performance homes)
- RI IECC 2024: ≤ 3 ACH50
Details here:
Blower Door Testing for Code Compliance
Blower Door Testing for HERS Ratings
A home’s airtightness has a direct impact on its HERS Score, making blower door testing a critical part of the rating process. Uncontrolled air leakage increases energy loss, forcing heating and cooling systems to work harder to maintain indoor comfort.
Blower door results also influence heating and cooling requirements, which affect system sizing and overall energy efficiency. In addition, airtightness levels help determine mechanical ventilation needs, ensuring that fresh air is introduced in a controlled, code-compliant way. Together, these factors play a major role in how a home performs, how it scores, and how efficiently it operates over time.
Explore its impact on scoring:
Why Airtightness Matters for Your HERS Score
Learn the full rating and inspection workflow:
The HERS Rating Process
Blower Door Testing for Existing Homes
Blower door testing is especially valuable for existing and renovated homes, where air leakage is often hidden behind finished walls, ceilings, and floors. Over time, settling, aging materials, and past construction practices can create gaps that allow conditioned air to escape and uncontrolled outside air to enter.
By measuring airtightness and pinpointing leakage areas, blower door testing helps identify where improvements will have the biggest impact. This may include targeted air sealing, insulation upgrades, or adjustments to mechanical ventilation. For homeowners planning renovations or efficiency upgrades, testing provides a clear baseline and helps prioritize investments that improve comfort, reduce energy use, and support long-term durability.
Blower door testing is also commonly used to verify performance after renovation work is complete, ensuring upgrades deliver the intended results and align with current energy code or incentive program requirements.
Learn more:
Blower Door Testing for Existing Homes
How to Prepare for a Blower Door Test
Before testing, homeowners or builders should:
- Close exterior openings
- Provide access to mechanical rooms
- Secure fireplaces and stoves
- Seal intentional openings when necessary
Full prep instructions:
Test Preparation & What to Expect
What You Receive After Testing
Energy Geeks provides:
- ACH50 & CFM50 results
- Certified test report
- Leakage analysis
- Code-compliance documentation
- Recommendations for improvements
See examples of documentation here:
Results & Reports
Related Services
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Certified testing for MA & RI homes and code compliance.
