Taupo based Valhalla Living offers certified blower door testing services for the Central North Island
Blower door testing is a diagnostic tool used to measure the airtightness of buildings. It helps identify air leaks, drafts, and insulation issues, ultimately improving energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort levels within the building.
Blower door testing is essential as part of the certification of passive houses and energy-efficient houses, but it can also be applied to most types of houses, including traditional and existing buildings, to identify areas for improvement.
Valhalla Living provides ATTMA certified blower door pressure testing within a 2-3 hour radius of Taupo. Contact us for more information and a friendly chat about what we do and what your requirements are.
- Blower door testing identifies air leaks, drafts, and insulation issues
- We offer ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association) certified blower door testing
- Testing is required for passive house certification, recommended for new builds, and can be done on existing homes
How does blower door testing work?
To carry out blower door testing, a powerful fan is mounted in a temporary airtight frame of an exterior door. During a depressurisation test, the fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the interior pressure and pulling air in from the outside through any unsealed cracks and openings. A pressure gauge measures the amount of air pulled out of the house by the fan and coming in through unsealed cracks and openings.
Results of the test can determine if there are unsealed cracks and openings in the houseʼs shell that should be sealed. Infrared cameras can be used to help locate leaks. Properly sealing a house will increase comfort, reduce energy costs, and improve indoor air quality.
Valhalla Living provides ATTMA certified blower door pressure testing - required for passive house certification
In New Zealand, ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association) certification is a recognised standard for blower door testing. Blower door testing is required for certain certifications like Homestar v5 and passive houses. As an ATTMA-registered tester, Valhalla Living can provide professional and accurate testing services.
Passive house certification has the most stringent blower door test requirements, allowing a maximum infiltration of 0.6 air changes per hour (ACH) when measured at 50 Pascals pressure difference. (Pascals are a measure of pressure.) For reference, typical new houses that have not been properly air sealed will test between 4 to 6 ACH @ 50 Pascals, and typical existing houses will test between 8 to 10 ACH @ 50 Pascals. Results below 2.0 ACH @ 50 Pascals may be considered “tight,” while 1.0 ACH @ 50 Pascals is a typical target for high-performance new construction.
Who can benefit from blower door testing?
While blower door testing is essential for new builds, passive houses, and energy-efficient constructions, it's also beneficial for existing homes. Others who can benefit from blower door testing include:
- Homeowners experiencing high energy bills, drafts or cold spots, moisture issues or mould, or poor indoor air quality
- Homebuyers or sellers - testing can identify potential issues before sale or purchase
- Home renovators - identify the areas for improvement before you renovate
- Energy conscious homeowners - testing finds out where the issues are so you can make a plan to remediate
Combine the build and testing process for a seamless experience
As both a certified passive house builder and an energy efficient home builder, Valhalla Living can manage all aspects of the design and build process, including blower door testing. We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in energy-efficient construction, and our clients trust us to deliver superior results with integrity and professionalism, making us an excellent choice for your blower door testing needs.
Please get in touch with us to have a chat about your requirements.
In New Zealand, blower door testing is not yet compulsory for all new builds but it is for Passive House certification and for Homestar builds wanting to achieve a high rating, and it's highly recommended for all new builds especially those trying to achieve optimal energy efficiency. But you can also get a blower door test on most homes to check for air leaks and issues - once you know the problems, we can make a plan to remediate so you can have a more energy efficient, warmer and drier home.
While blower door testing can be done on most houses, there are some limitations and considerations including:
House size: Very large houses may require multiple blower doors or specialised equipment.
House design: Unconventional designs, like underground homes, may require modifications or specialised testing.
Window and door frames: The blower door fan needs a suitable frame to seal against. Unusual or fragile frames might not be compatible.
Building condition: Severe damage, like large holes or broken windows, may make testing impractical or inaccurate.
Historic buildings: Testing may need to be adapted to preserve original features or avoid damage.
Talk to us about your home and we'll see what we can do.