Blower Door Test
A Blower Door Test is a way to check how airtight a building is, which is important for energy efficiency. It's like doing a full-body checkup of a building to find where air might be leaking. Professionals use a special fan mounted in a doorway that pulls air out of the building to find these leaks. This test has become standard in green building and energy efficiency work, especially for certifications like LEED or ENERGY STAR. When someone lists this on their resume, it usually means they know how to conduct energy audits and understand building performance.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted over 200 Blower Door Tests for residential energy audits
Achieved 20% improvement in building efficiency through Blower Door analysis and improvements
Certified to perform Blower Door Testing for ENERGY STAR compliance
Typical job title: "Energy Auditors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Energy Auditors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a comprehensive building testing program for a large commercial property?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss creating testing schedules, coordinating with building managers, identifying key testing points, and developing improvement recommendations. They should mention cost-benefit analysis and ROI calculations for energy improvements.
Q: How do you handle complex building envelope issues discovered during testing?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of various building systems, ability to prioritize repairs, and experience coordinating with contractors. Should discuss creating detailed reports and action plans.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors can affect blower door test results?
Expected Answer: Should mention weather conditions, building size, HVAC systems, and building construction type. Should explain how these factors influence testing procedures and results interpretation.
Q: How do you explain test results to clients?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to translate technical findings into simple language, provide clear recommendations, and explain potential energy savings in terms of cost benefits.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic steps in conducting a blower door test?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain setup procedures, safety checks, and basic testing process. Should know how to record and document basic measurements.
Q: What safety precautions do you take when conducting a test?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking for combustion appliances, ensuring proper ventilation, and following basic safety protocols during testing.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic blower door test setup and operation
- Understanding of building air leakage
- Basic energy efficiency principles
- Simple report writing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced testing techniques
- Building system analysis
- Energy improvement recommendations
- Client communication
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and management
- Complex building diagnostics
- Team training and supervision
- Project cost analysis
Red Flags to Watch For
- No certifications in building performance or energy auditing
- Lack of understanding of basic building science
- No hands-on experience with testing equipment
- Poor understanding of safety protocols
Related Terms
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