Advice needed about stopping air intrusion
#1
02-06-14, 06:07 PM
Blower-door test
Guys,
We are having problems with low humidity, in the winter, and spoke with a HVAC contractor about possibly installing a whole house humidifier to solve our problem. He is a supplier for a big name whole house humidifier company but he told me he installs very few of the units in our area. We live in NW Louisiana. Said when he gets a calls for the humidifiers he first performs a
"Blower-door test" to see how much air intrusion the house has. He said that using this test and then sealing the areas of intrusion nearly always helps with the lack of humidity in the winter. He charges $300 for the test and will apply the $300 to any sealing work he does. Sounded good, at first, but I got to thinking this test may be a way to push us into spending large amounts of money for the sealing repairs.
Has anyone had experience with the blower-door test? Did it reveal significant problems and were the problems expensive to fix? I know that every house is different but I would like to hear some real world experiences.
I appreciate anyone who offers advice.
Charlie
We are having problems with low humidity, in the winter, and spoke with a HVAC contractor about possibly installing a whole house humidifier to solve our problem. He is a supplier for a big name whole house humidifier company but he told me he installs very few of the units in our area. We live in NW Louisiana. Said when he gets a calls for the humidifiers he first performs a
"Blower-door test" to see how much air intrusion the house has. He said that using this test and then sealing the areas of intrusion nearly always helps with the lack of humidity in the winter. He charges $300 for the test and will apply the $300 to any sealing work he does. Sounded good, at first, but I got to thinking this test may be a way to push us into spending large amounts of money for the sealing repairs.
Has anyone had experience with the blower-door test? Did it reveal significant problems and were the problems expensive to fix? I know that every house is different but I would like to hear some real world experiences.
I appreciate anyone who offers advice.
Charlie
#2
02-06-14, 06:13 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
300.00 for the test sounds like a good price. I wouldn't mind having one done.
300.00 for the test sounds like a good price. I wouldn't mind having one done.
#3
02-06-14, 06:48 PM
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I've had it done on 3 houses. I suppose you can find a way to do it yourself. It's just a big fan drawing air out the front door. I don't remember how the cfm flow is measured.
My oldest house (100 years hold) actually WHISTLED as the air got drawn down the narrow staircase between upstairs and main floor! The newer house (maybe 1960's) was pretty bad too - I had it done with old aluminum frame windows.
The windows were the biggest drafts. I think some around the elecrtrical fixtures (hence how picky they are about vapour barrier being continuous). I don't remember the other sources.
My oldest house (100 years hold) actually WHISTLED as the air got drawn down the narrow staircase between upstairs and main floor! The newer house (maybe 1960's) was pretty bad too - I had it done with old aluminum frame windows.
The windows were the biggest drafts. I think some around the elecrtrical fixtures (hence how picky they are about vapour barrier being continuous). I don't remember the other sources.
#4
02-08-14, 12:39 PM
Advice needed about stopping air intrusion
Hi,
Long story short. Wanted to have whole house humidifier installed and called a recommended contractor. He said he sells and installs the units but does not recommend doing so until he runs a blower-door test. Never heard of this test so I have done a lot of research. The theory sounds good and the price he offered ($300) sounded reasonable BUT what I have uncovered in my research makes me feel that the cost of the test will be minor compared to what he is going to charge for the needed repairs. Sooooo, what I would like from those of you who are better DIY'ers than me (probably most of you) is recommended repairs I can do myself to cut down on air intrusion in our home. What I would like is a list of the areas of my home that would likely need work as well as any advice you can offer on how to work on these spots.
Don't know if you need to know but our home is a 15 year old single story custom home,located in NW Louisiana. It is on a concrete slab and has a central A/C and heat pump (electric). Heated area of the house is about 1,800 sq ft.
I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
Charlie
Long story short. Wanted to have whole house humidifier installed and called a recommended contractor. He said he sells and installs the units but does not recommend doing so until he runs a blower-door test. Never heard of this test so I have done a lot of research. The theory sounds good and the price he offered ($300) sounded reasonable BUT what I have uncovered in my research makes me feel that the cost of the test will be minor compared to what he is going to charge for the needed repairs. Sooooo, what I would like from those of you who are better DIY'ers than me (probably most of you) is recommended repairs I can do myself to cut down on air intrusion in our home. What I would like is a list of the areas of my home that would likely need work as well as any advice you can offer on how to work on these spots.
Don't know if you need to know but our home is a 15 year old single story custom home,located in NW Louisiana. It is on a concrete slab and has a central A/C and heat pump (electric). Heated area of the house is about 1,800 sq ft.
I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
Charlie
#5
02-08-14, 12:46 PM
Super Moderator
Hello and welcome.....
I am not an HVAC guy but I dont know why you need a blower door test to have a humidifier installed?
Something sounds hokey IMO...
What for the pros to chime in.....: )
I am not an HVAC guy but I dont know why you need a blower door test to have a humidifier installed?
Something sounds hokey IMO...
What for the pros to chime in.....: )
#6
02-08-14, 12:55 PM
Lawrosa,
Thanks for the quick reply.
The contractor said that he finds that when you perform the blower-door test and make the repairs to stop the air intrusion into the home that a humidifier is not needed. If that is true I would not need to make an investment into a whole house humidifier. Again, my fear is the cost to accomplish the repairs needed to get the house more air tight.
Thanks again for your reply.
Charlie
Thanks for the quick reply.
The contractor said that he finds that when you perform the blower-door test and make the repairs to stop the air intrusion into the home that a humidifier is not needed. If that is true I would not need to make an investment into a whole house humidifier. Again, my fear is the cost to accomplish the repairs needed to get the house more air tight.
Thanks again for your reply.
Charlie
#7
02-08-14, 01:10 PM
Super Moderator
when you perform the blower-door test and make the repairs to stop the air intrusion into the home that a humidifier is not needed.
Well IMO I dont believe in whole house humidifiers myself... Why anyone wants to add moisture to their duct work so mold and what not can live and breed in beyond me...
I would much more prefer stand alone units if needed...
#8
02-08-14, 01:37 PM
We tried a portable unit. It was a very highly recommend unit ($200) but it would not get our humidity above 30% and in addition the thing was a maintenance bear. Lot's of work and little results. I see you are from NJ. We are from Louisiana and while our humidity is very high (as high as 100) our cold weather months have very low humidity. We need something to help keep our environment livable during the winter. The newer whole house humidifiers claim to not have mold problems as long as they are used properly.
Thanks again for your advice.
Charlie
Thanks again for your advice.
Charlie
#9
02-08-14, 01:46 PM
Super Moderator
I would only use a steam type if it were i...
Who says?
Let others chime in as this is my personal opinion on the matter of humidifiers......
The newer whole house humidifiers claim to not have mold problems as long as they are used properly.
Who says?
Let others chime in as this is my personal opinion on the matter of humidifiers......
