What is a Blower Door Test

Breaking Down the (Blower) Door

If you’re planning a renovation, applying for energy rebates, or building a new home, you’ve probably heard about a blower door test. But what exactly is it, and why is it a vital step in creating an energy-efficient home?

A blower door test is used to measure how airtight your home or building is. One of our certified technicians sets up a temporary fan in an exterior door frame and depressurizes the house. This controlled pressure difference helps reveal where air is leaking in or out, often through gaps around windows, plumbing penetrations, electrical boxes, or attic hatches. We then use advanced tools to measure the total leakage rate and determine how well-sealed your home is.

These leaks aren’t just an energy issue — they cause drafts, inconsistent room temperatures, and added strain on your HVAC system. In new builds and major renovations, building codes often require blower door testing to meet airtightness standards. And if you’re applying for energy rebates (like the Canada Greener Homes Grant), it’s a required step in the audit process.

Here’s where AeroBarrier becomes a game-changer. If your blower door test reveals more leakage than expected, we can apply AeroBarrier during construction or renovation to seal up all those hard-to-reach gaps. It’s sprayed inside the building after insulation but before drywall, and it bonds to gaps as small as a human hair. It helps builders and renovators hit airtightness targets with ease — and makes homes quieter, healthier, and more efficient.

At Airtight Home Technologies, we offer both testing and solutions. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming for rebates or a builder targeting code compliance, we help you pass with confidence — and stay sealed for years to come.