Introduction
For those looking to improve building and HVAC performance, a blower door is a must-have. This tool measures and exposes air leaks in buildings, one of the most vital contributors to high construction quality and correct HVAC equipment sizing. The blower door test removes a lot of the guesswork for builders, HVAC contractors, and insulators. It is also mandatory for HERS Raters, energy auditors, and building science consultants. If you are using a blower door, it is clear you care about the quality of your work. Therefore, you are going to want the best product available to allow you to work smarter, not harder. When shopping for a blower door system, here are some questions to consider to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck.
Durability: Will it last?
Not all blower doors are created equally. Remember, you will be hauling this piece of equipment to construction sites and loading and unloading it over and over again. This tool is an investment, so it must stand the test of constant labor over time. Durable blower door fan housings are made with high-impact automotive plastic. Makroblend® resins have a property profile that includes high toughness (even at low temperatures), good chemical resistance to many lubricants, solvents, and cleaning agents, along with reduced susceptibility to stress cracking. The most durable blower doors also have more fasteners holding the fan shells together.
Accuracy: Can I trust the measurements I am taking?
At the end of the day, how reliable your blower door system is comes down to the accuracy and repeatability of your measurements. The most reliable blower door equipment is calibrated by an ISO 17025/ILAC accredited lab which is required in many countries. This goes for both the blower doors and the digital manometers used for airtightness testing.
Your blower door and gauge should come with a NIST traceable calibration certificate. Look for the accreditation seal on your certificates to ensure you have confidence your tool was calibrated with NIST traceability and stated uncertainties. Just as our buildings need third-party testing and verification to be healthy and efficient, the tools that do the testing should also have rigorous third-party evaluations to help ensure top quality.
State-of-the-art digital 14-bit pressure sensors provide you with the precision and accuracy, so this is something you should look for in a high-resolution digital manometer. Auto-zero manifolds minimize sensor drift, affecting accuracy over time.
Intelligent Design: Is it easy to use and intuitive?
We continually invest in innovation and technological advancement. The Retrotec SmartCloth is an excellent example of this as the reference tubing is sewn into the fabric. This feature also helps stabilize readings during windy days and helps keep your reference tube out of the wind, rain, and debris.
Ergonomic design is also essential to consider. Some blower door manometers allow the user to operate it quickly with one hand, while others require two hands if it’s not attached to the frame. The Retrotec Model 5000 has a built-in USB port that will enable you to keep your digital manometer always charged. This prevents users from being left without power to the manometer once the test is ready to be conducted.
Quick Setup and Tear Down: Will it save me time?
We continually invest in innovation and technological advancement. The Retrotec SmartCloth is an excellent example of this as the reference tubing is sewn into the fabric. This feature also helps stabilize readings during windy days and helps keep your reference tube out of the wind, rain, and debris.
Ergonomic design is also essential to consider. Some blower door manometers allow the user to operate it quickly with one hand, while others require two hands if it’s not attached to the frame. The Retrotec Model 5000 has a built-in USB port that will enable you to keep your digital manometer always charged. This prevents users from being left without power to the manometer once the test is ready to be conducted.
Experience: Who can I count on when I have questions?
It is always good to have options, and not every tester has the same needs. Look for a blower door system that will serve you well in all
types of scenarios. Retrotec provides a standard and high-output model to choose from: The Model 5000 (standard-output) and Model 6000 (high-output). Both read the same low flow readings for tighter buildings. Still, the Model 6000 provides more power when needed for larger, leakier buildings.
Retotec provides several options for door panels; the SmartCloth with wind dampening cloth, the rigid modular panel for superfast setup, and the stacking panels to customize tests with multiple fans or allow you to make your own panel.
Retrotec’s manometer also works with competing products. So, if you already own another brand, the DM32 manometer can handle it.
Hopefully this article has provided some guidance and direction as you continue your quest to find the right duct tester kit for you. As you can see, they are not all the same. Just as our buildings and HVAC systems continue to improve with new technology and third-party testing procedures, the same goes for our testing equipment. Retrotec is constantly researching new technology to improve accuracy, speed, and ease of use while putting our own laboratory, processes, and personnel through the most rigorous third-party accreditation processes on the planet. This ensures you get the best possible product. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to sales@retrotec.com or give Retrotec a call at 1 (855) 738-7683.
