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Why Every Homeowner Should Get a Blower Door Test

September 18, 2017

Apart from all of the technical aspects, the bottom line with a blower door test is to determine how much air-leakage there is in a house. Today, a blower door test is probably the most relevant assessment tool for homeowners who want better energy efficiency and enhanced home comfort.

Clearly, an older house, with older insulation, is going to rate quite differently than a new house, with new insulation, and better air sealing. As a rule, a typical home should have a blower door test “number” that is less than its total square footage. And here, the numbers can matter a lot.

Home energy efficiency is all about airtightness – and any industry professional will confirm that there is no such thing as too tight. However, there is such a thing as an airtight house without adequate ventilation – it’s a house with very high moisture, pollutants, and even carbon dioxide.

The objective with a blower door test is to identify areas of a home that suffer from air leakage. These are areas that can be demonstrably improved with air sealing - in other words, where the building envelope can be sealed to enhance energy efficiency and boost insulation performance.

While a blower door test can accurately assess a home for air leakage, this is only the first step. The idea, of course, is to remediate air leakage once identified. When air leaks have been sealed (and insulated), energy efficiency is improved, and energy savings can be realized every month.

Improving energy efficiency going forward

Today, there is much more focus on home energy efficiency than in years gone by. As such, many homeowners are focused on optimizing their homes, reducing energy consumption, and saving on utilities around the year. A blower door test is an ideal place to start, carried out by an Energy Advisor who’s registered with Natural Resources Canada. With test results in hand, it’s possible to plan and execute various home improvements that will maximize home energy performance.

Homeowners should consider energy upgrades and retrofits to be an investment – there will be an upfront cost, but the long-term pay-off is realized in measurably reduced seasonal energy bills.

Air sealing

Sealing air leaks throughout a building envelope makes a dramatic difference with winter heating and summer cooling. Having the work done professionally will deliver the very best results.

Attic Insulation

High performance attic insulation prevents air leakage and improves HVAC performance from season to season. Quality insulation and professional installation will reduce annual utility costs.

Basement Insulation

Optimizing basement insulation will make a huge difference when it comes to overall energy efficiency (and home comfort). A well-insulated basement will dramatically reduce energy usage.

For homeowners who are committed to improving home energy efficiency, the professionals at Great Northern Insulation can offer a host of solutions. When a blower door test is complete, GNI can implement the necessary retrofits and ensure long term cost savings. For more information, contact GNI at 1-800-265-1914 or visit the company website at www.gni.ca .

Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Greater Toronto Area

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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