How Builders Use Blower Door Testing to Improve Airtightness | Build Show Podcast Ep 211

Sam from Retrotec frames the blower door as the ultimate quality-control tool for builders chasing airtightness.

Air leakage ties directly to four outcomes, health, comfort, durability, and energy efficiency, and fixing one problem often improves the other three.

Uncontrolled air leakage carries moisture into wall assemblies, depositing it on cold surfaces and threatening the home's longevity.

Matt's own path: his first Texas home blew a 2.75 AC50 despite thinking he knew what he was doing, which pushed him to test his own work pre-drywall and pre-occupancy.

HERS raters certified through ResNet (new construction) or BPI (existing homes) vary in quality, so builders should vet them and understand the 'why' behind a failing test.

Matt's three must-haves for a new house include keeping mechanicals in conditioned space and using a vapor diffusion port rather than relying solely on spray foam.

When buying blower door equipment, registration unlocks training resources and the Retrotec resource app for running infiltration and duct-leakage tests.