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Home Energy and Performance Testing

If you want real answers about drafts, leakage, airflow, and efficiency, testing turns “what we think” into “what we can measure.” Zephyr Environmental Solutions provides blower door and duct leakage testing for Charlottesville homeowners and builders who need code-ready documentation.

Diagnostic testing for homeowners and code-required builder testing

Blower door, duct leakage, and deeper assessments with documented results

Home performance testing helps you understand how tightly a home is sealed and how well the duct system delivers air. Use the links below to learn what each test measures and when it’s the right next step.

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Blower Door Testing

A blower door test measures how much outside air leaks into the home and helps pinpoint draft pathways that drive discomfort and higher bills. It’s also commonly required for new construction closeout and energy code compliance.

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Duct Leakage Testing

Duct leakage testing measures how much air your duct system is losing before it reaches your rooms. It’s useful for builders who need documented results and homeowners who want proof of whether ducts are a major efficiency and comfort problem.

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Home Energy Assessment

If you want a fuller picture, an assessment combines testing with deeper diagnostics and a clear action plan. It’s ideal when comfort issues are persistent and you want prioritized improvements instead of guesswork.

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Testing Services

Not sure which test applies to your project or home? This overview helps you choose the right testing path and understand what documentation you’ll receive.

Stop guessing and get measurable answers

Testing shows where energy loss and comfort problems actually come from

Many homes waste energy through hidden leakage pathways, and without testing, it’s easy to spend money on the wrong fix. Blower door testing helps identify how airtight the home is, while duct leakage testing shows whether conditioned air is escaping before it reaches living spaces. For homeowners, this information creates a clear roadmap for improvements that can make rooms feel more consistent and reduce wasted run time. For builders and GCs, professional testing and documentation help keep inspections moving and closeouts on schedule.

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Home performance testing FAQs

What to know before scheduling

  • What is home performance testing, exactly?

    Home performance testing is a set of diagnostics that measure how a house is sealed and how efficiently systems deliver comfort. The most common tests are blower door testing (whole-home air leakage) and duct leakage testing (duct system losses). The goal is to replace assumptions with measured results you can act on. Whether you’re a homeowner or a builder, testing helps you make smarter next-step decisions.

  • Do builders in Virginia need blower door and duct tests?

    Many new construction projects require code-related testing, and requirements can vary depending on the project and jurisdiction. The main point is that inspectors want documented results that meet the applicable standards. Professional testing helps you avoid delays and surprises at the end of a build. If a home doesn’t pass on the first try, testing also helps pinpoint what to tighten so you can retest confidently.

  • How should I prepare my home for a blower door test?

    Preparation is usually simple, and you’ll be guided on what matters before the appointment. In general, the home needs to be accessible so the tester can set up equipment and take readings. If there are specific conditions that affect results, like windows or doors that must be in a certain state, you’ll be told ahead of time. The goal is a clean, accurate test, not a disruptive process.

  • What do I do with the results after testing?

    Results are only useful if they lead to clear next steps, so we explain what the numbers mean in plain language. For homeowners, that might mean targeted air sealing, duct sealing, airflow improvements, or other practical upgrades based on what the test revealed. For builders, it often means correcting specific leakage points and documenting the final pass. The result should feel like a plan, not just a report.

  • Is testing worth it if I’m mainly trying to improve comfort?

    Yes, because comfort problems often come from leakage, airflow imbalance, or duct losses that aren’t visible without diagnostics. Testing helps confirm whether the issue is the envelope, the duct system, or a combination. That prevents spending money on upgrades that don’t solve the problem you feel day-to-day. If your priority is “make the house feel even and predictable,” testing is often the fastest path to a fix that sticks.