Blower Door Testing and Common Air Sealing Issues

Blower door testing in Minnesota has been required since 2015. Today it is still challenging for some Contractors. Common air sealing problems include unsealed poly vapor barriers, multi-family common walls, bonus rooms framing and ductwork penetrations, and mechanical systems without dampers. This course will view real life pictures of these problems and offer solutions.

Course Outline

• Introduction
• What is a blower door?
• What are we measuring?
• Understanding ACH50 CFM50 etc.
• Code requirements 2.6 or 3.0 ACH50
• Local test results
• By type of house
• Bigger homes look to test better
• Comparing ACH50 to other metrics
• Air barrier in walls
• Common wall assembly
• Where to caulk
• Verifying it is effective
• Creating a gasket
• Party wall issues in townhomes
• Doors and windows
• Ceilings
• Top plates and penetrations, lights, chases
• SOG mechanical rooms – planning for air sealing
• Planning so all areas can be insulated
• Attic hatches
• Floors over garage – air barrier and common issues
• Landing and stairs – changes in material and framing
• ERVs and HRVs with no dampers
• Areas not accessible to seal
• Rim joist covered by ductwork
• Spray foam issues and planning
• New products
• Review

Learner Objectives

• Identify what is a blower door test and what is measured.
• Knowledge of why testing is required.
• Code requirements for a blower door test.
• Analyze results of test by types of and sizes of homes.
• Understanding of typical walls assemblies for the area and where sealing is required.
• Ability to verify caulking is effective
• Knowledge of party wall issues and why they can be more challenging.
• Ability to recognize common air sealing issues including doors, windows, attic hatches, mechanical penetrations and trouble spots and what are the possible solutions for these.
• Explain issues with floors over the garage and what possible solutions there are.
• Knowledge of spray foamed houses and why planning and testing is important.

Testimonials

"Rick was very informative and the course was GREAT!" Megan Knutson, Hanson Building Materials, Inc.

"Practical information about the importance of sealing the house!" Tony Gustafson, Gustafson Home Improvements

"Rick was very thorough and kept me interested in the subject." Robert Gaydos, Solar Midwest, Inc./Solatube

"Great refresher." Dean Marquette, Dercon Construction Services, Inc

"Excellent course!" Dan Wagner, Dan Wagner Construction

"Well worth taking. Presented by a professional who has extensive field experience." Jon Buyck, Buyck Construction Services LLC

"This course was very easy to understand and follow along. Would highly recommend to all contractors." Brian Paradis, Paradis C & R LLC

"Great class!" Lindsey Cartwright, Cartwright Construction

"Great course." Benjamin Schieber, Schieber Builders LLC

"Rick is very knowledgeable about blower door testing and potential problem areas. Very helpful to better understand the code requirements and being mindful about meeting them." Scott Stankey, Resonate Homes

"The course was well done." Clint Wester, JMI Construction Company 

Quiz Info

In order to receive continuing education credit(s), you will need to take a 10-question quiz following the course. To pass the quiz, you will need to achieve a score of 70% or higher. If you are unsuccessful, you will have an opportunity to repeat the quiz. Once you have successfully completed the quiz, you can download your continuing education certificate(s) showing the credit(s) that you have earned.

Credit Info

This course has been approved for one hour of MN residential contractor, remodeler, and building official continuing education by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry and includes the required Energy credit. 

If you are eligible to receive continuing education credits, your information will be electronically reported to the appropriate agency within 3 business days of course completion.

Access Info Your online course is accessible 24/7. The course will be available to you for 180 days from purchase date.
Questions and Comments Questions and comments related to the curriculum for this course may be submitted to the instructor at education@housingfirstmn.org.