Blower Door Testing

Blower Door Testing

Drafty Rooms. Rising Bills. Freezing Pipes in a Newer Home. What’s Really Going On?

If you’re struggling with comfort issues or high heating costs, the problem might not be what you think. You can’t always see the cracks and gaps letting outdoor air sneak in—or the warm air slip away.

That’s why we use blower door testing: a powerful diagnostic tool that helps us measure your home’s air leakage, pinpoint energy waste, and recommend upgrades that actually solve the problem.

Whether your home is brand new or 100 years old, air leaks could be costing you money and comfort. We’re here to help you find them—and fix them.

Evergreen Team Conducting A Blower Door Test
Setting-up a blower door test in a house

What Is a Blower Door Test?

A blower door test uses a powerful fan installed in an exterior doorway to lower the air pressure inside your home. This forces outside air to rush in through cracks, gaps, and holes—revealing where your home is leaking air.

While the test runs, we use an infrared thermal camera to detect hidden problem areas behind walls, around rim joists, in the attic, and more. Summer’s a great time to conduct this test, as the leaks entering your living spaces from your attic or the outdoors are colored warm or hot, while the colder air leaking up from the basement or crawlspace will show up as cool on our cameras. 

The result? A detailed picture of your home’s energy performance—one that helps us target the right upgrades for maximum comfort and savings.

How Blower Door Testing with Evergreen Works

  1. We prepare your home: closing exterior doors and windows, opening interior doors, covering ashes in wood stoves and fireplaces, and turning off all combustion equipment.
  2. We install the blower door fan in one of your exterior doorways and turn it on, depressurizing your home.
  3. We measure the amount of air coming in to determine how “leaky” your house is.
  4. We then scan with a thermal camera to reveal the exact spots where insulation and air sealing are needed.

This is part of our full energy audit we use to design smart, effective insulation and air sealing upgrades.

Evergreen Blower Door Testing
Blower Door Testing

Why Blower Door Testing Matters for Your Home

A blower door test gives us data, not guesswork. That means smarter upgrades and measurable results.

With the insights from this test, Evergreen can help you:

  • Identify and seal hidden air leaks
  • Improve your home’s comfort and consistency
  • Cut down on heating and cooling bills
  • Reduce strain on your HVAC system, especially recently installed heat pumps and mini-splits
  • Protect indoor air quality by achieving the right balance of airtightness and ventilation

Blower door testing doesn’t just reveal when your home is too leaky—it can also show if it’s too airtight. In homes that have been over-sealed without proper ventilation, indoor air quality can suffer.

We use this information to make sure your home is healthy and recommend ventilation solutions if needed to keep your indoor air fresh, safe, and clean.

Plus, blower door testing is required for Efficiency Maine insulation rebates. We’ll do a pre-project test to establish a baseline and then a final test at the end to confirm the quality of our work and to prepare the final rebate application. 

Trusted Blower Door Testing for Maine Homes

From historic homes to newer builds in Rockland all the way down to Portland, we’ve tested—and improved—thousands of homes across Coastal and Southern Maine.

You don’t have to know whether blower door testing is right for your home—we’ll help you figure that out. Let’s talk about what you’re experiencing and decide on the best next step together.

Exterior view of a Maine Home

Call 207-594-2244 or contact Evergreen online to schedule your free consult.

Uncover the hidden air leaks making your home uncomfortable and expensive to heat.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT

I would recommend Evergreen wholeheartedly because of their professionalism, their follow through, and thoughtful project planning.

Jennifer A

We are so pleased with the work the team from Evergreen Home Performance did in our home. The project included encapsulation of our basement with a reinforced vapor barrier, installation of a sump pump, spray foam insulation on the walls and insulation of the heating duct work. Everyone at Evergreen was friendly and professional. The project was completed on time and in budget. Our home is much cozier and warmer since the project was completed.

Linda Metzger

We needed basement encapsulation to stop moisture coming up into the house from our regularly flooding basement. We had mold growing on windowsills and furniture. All the staff were friendly, respectful of our home, and easy to work with. Humidity has gone from 70% down to 40% and mold has not grown back after two months. Very grateful.

Sarah C.

Belfast

Last week, my oil company asked if we were using some other kind of fuel because our usage was so much less than they had expected We are very happy with the results; the house is much more comfortable

Steve T.

St. George

I was extremely pleased with the professionalism and quality of service that I received from the Evergreen team. I met Richard to discuss options for insulation. I knew immediately that I wanted to do business with them because he did not try to over-sell extra services that I did not need. Dave was the project manager. He was not only kind, but very respectful of my home. I would highly recommend this company.

Darlyann M

Bath

Evergreen came out 2 years ago to do an assessment and insulate our roof. This year we had them come back and do the basement as well. They are hands-down the best crew we've ever hired to work on our house. They are experts at what they do, and super meticulous in their work. After working in our house for a week with blown insulation, there was no trace they were ever here. We've seen a huge decrease in our energy bills while at the same time the house has become way more comfortable. Can't recommend them enough.

RC Lations II

Portland

Evergreen completed the work at my home thoroughly and professionally. An inspector from Efficiency Maine came to inspect afterwards and described it as "state of the art" and "outstanding". The crew was very pleasant and considerate during the project. Their cleanup each day was perfect. Communications with the office were easy and reliable. I am very satisfied.

Catherine H.

South Portland

Update 12/2018: Evergreen has completed Phase II of my house (insulating and installing air/moisture barrier on exterior walls, replacing old windows) and now that heating season is upon us, the difference is astonishing. The house is tight as a drum and so easy to keep warm. Worth every penny. Thank you all! Working with Evergreen was a positive experience from start (no charge energy audit) to finish (a MUCH more comfortable home). Brian Robinson spent a lot of time with me on the audit, explaining clearly what he was finding in my ca.

Rebekah W.

Rockport

My experience with Evergreen was excellent. From their thorough and thoughtful initial consultation to their detailed post-work visit, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. Their workmanship was top notch. Our home is now much warmer and more efficient. I highly recommend their services!

Douglas R.

Edgecomb

My husband and I bought a home on the water in Owls Head and decided to make the investment in Evergreen's recommendations for insulation. Brian Robinson spent 3 hours examining every nook and cranny before he made practical suggestions and explained them thoroughly to us.

Marie McNeely

Owls Head

Evergreen removed and replaced the insulation in my attic. They did a great job!, Crew was excellent, and the whole thing went smoothly, and the attic was NOT easy to get into or work in, so kudos to some hard work done well!

Joel A.

Portland

Working with Evergreen was a dream! Professional, knowledgeable, and super clean work. Communication was fast and service impeccable. The bedroom floors in our 1960's split ranch will be warm with the new insulation between them and the garage. Bring on the snow! (not really, but sort of)

Jess Dee Proctor

Professional, friendly and hard-working staff. The product/approach they use for insulation is top notch. We felt the difference immediately, both from added warmth and eliminating drafts. The team and management were easily available to answer our questions or coordinate meeting times. Highly recommended.

Kevin J.

Yarmouth

Evergreen has insulated two homes that we've owned now and both times we experienced exceptional service and craftsmanship. Our rep, Justin, went above and beyond answering questions and the installation team was attentive to every detail, including pulling out old poorly installed insulation and redoing a bathroom fan that wasn't up to current code. They also left the place spotless every day! Our home is already so much warmer this fall and we are looking forward to using less oil this winter.

Eva G.

Falmouth

Really great experience from start to finish with Evergreen. They helped us prioritize what needed to be completed first, and has made a significant difference in our hearing costs already. Plus they were really friendly and considerate to work with!

Amy W.

Kennebunk

Portland Buy Local
Efficiency Maine
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Building Performance Association
BPI Certified