Save Energy and Money with a Blower Door Test in Your New Hogan Home

July 25, 2025

— Energy Efficiency, Resources

Save Energy and Money with a Blower Door Test in Your New Hogan Home

Air leaks might be out of sight, but they show up on your energy bill. That’s where a blower door test comes in. It’s a smart, simple way to check how airtight your home is, and how much energy (and money) you could be saving.

At Hogan Homes, we build with purpose: thoughtful layouts, energy-efficient features, and high standards from the ground up. A blower door test helps us take that even further by making sure your home is sealed tight, runs efficiently, and feels comfortable in every room. Let’s take a closer look at what this test means for you as a homeowner and why we believe it’s worth it.

What Is an Air Blower Test

An air blower test, also called a blower door test, uses a special fan placed in an exterior door to measure how much air is leaking from your home. It pressurizes or depressurizes the space to identify drafts around windows, doors, and framing. The results are measured in air changes per hour (ACH), helping pinpoint where sealing can boost comfort and energy efficiency the most.

Why Hogan Homes Runs Them on Every Build

At Hogan Homes, we believe in long‑term value through quality construction, and air tightness matters. Our homes are designed with smart layouts, energy-efficient materials, well‑placed drop zones, pantries, laundry rooms, and HVAC appliances. But sealing the envelope with an air blower test ensures those design features work at their best to deliver comfort, safety, and efficiency, day in and day out.

Save Energy, Save Money

Leaky homes waste conditioned air and drive up utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that sealing leaks cuts unnecessary heating and cooling loss, making your HVAC work smarter, not harder. Studies show tightening a home’s envelope can reduce energy use by up to 30 percent.

Boost Everyday Comfort

Drafty rooms and uneven temperatures can be a daily frustration. A blower door test helps spot the leaks, so your Hogan Home stays consistently comfortable. No more cold corners or overheated spots – just a home that feels right in every room.

Breathe Healthier, Live Kinder to Your Home

Outside air often carries pollutants, dust, pollen, and even moisture that cause mold. Blower door tests identify these leak pathways so we can seal them and improve indoor air quality. This approach helps protect HVAC systems and the inside structure from moisture, mold, and rot.

Verify HVAC Performance and Right Sizing

Air leakage impacts HVAC performance. Testing airflow and pressure helps confirm your system is properly sized and balanced for long-term efficiency and reliability.

Build It Right from the Start

At nearly 60 years strong, Hogan Homes is built on quality craftsmanship and lasting community relationships. Blower door testing helps us ensure each home meets our performance standards, confirming that what we design is what we deliver. The data also helps us keep improving with every build.

Protect Home Longevity and Durability

Air tightness does more than improve energy efficiency. It helps protect your home for the long run. By sealing out moisture and cold air, you reduce the risk of mold, wood rot, and insulation issues. A tighter home stays drier, holds up better over time, and needs less maintenance. The blower door test gives us the data to fine-tune every detail, helping us deliver quality that lasts.

What Happens During a Blower Door Test

A blower door test uses professional equipment to measure how much air is leaking from your home. By creating a slight pressure difference, it helps pinpoint where air is getting in, like around doors, windows, joints, or even light fixtures.

There’s no prep needed on your end. The test simply gives us a clear view of how airtight your home is. At Hogan Homes, we use this insight to make small adjustments that can lead to big gains in comfort, efficiency, and long-term durability.

What the Numbers Mean – Understanding ACH

ACH (Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pa) shows how quickly inside air is replaced by outside air when your home is pressurized to 50 pascals, similar to a steady 20 mph wind difference. Lower ACH means a tighter, more energy-efficient home that retains conditioned air better.

In the U.S., building codes often aim for around 3–5 ACH50 for new homes, with tighter targets (under 5 ACH50) recommended for older homes to improve performance. High-performance homes, like those built to Passive House standards, push for even greater air tightness, typically requiring 0.6 ACH50 or less.

So, when you see an ACH50 result:

  • 3–5 ACH50 means your home is fairly tight and efficient.
  • Below 3 ACH50 is tight – great for comfort and energy savings.
  • Under 0.6 ACH50 marks elite-level performance, similar to Passive House quality.

Knowing your ACH score helps you – and Hogan Homes – understand how well your home is sealed. This guides smart decisions that improve comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value.

Why Choose Hogan Homes for Your Blower Door Testing

  • Every Hogan Home goes through a blower door test before move‑in.
  • We use trained professionals and modern tools for precise results.
  • We use findings to seal every leak and validate workmanship for comfort, efficiency, and longevity.

Your Next Step

If you’re touring a Hogan Homes community or exploring our floor plans, ask about the blower door test results. It’s a helpful way to see how your home performs, and one more reason to feel confident about long-term comfort and efficiency.

More Than a Test – It’s Peace of Mind

A blower door test isn’t just another inspection item – it’s a seal of confidence. It ensures your Hogan Home delivers on the promise of comfort, efficiency, and long‑term value. Ready to experience the benefits firsthand? Check out our floor plans today and see how we build homes designed for you: tight, thoughtful, and ready to thrive.

Sources

“Understanding Blower Door Test Cost: Your Comprehensive Guide,” Energy Incentives,
https://energyincentivesinc.com/understanding-blower-door-test-cost-your-comprehensive-guide/
“Everything You Need to Know About a Blower Door Test,” Jarboe’s,
https://jarboes.com/knowledge-center/what-is-a-blower-door-test/
“Why a Blower Door Test is the Most Crucial Measure of Energy Efficiency Available,”
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-blower-door-test-most-crucial-measure-energy-efficiency-wvzpf
“What is a Blower Door Test and Why Should You Care?” Ecothree,
https://www.eco-three.com/e3-blog/what-is-a-blower-door-test-and-why-should-you-care/
“How Blower Door Tests Can Help You Save Energy,” Enertech,
https://enertech.solutions/blog/blower-door-tests-can-help-save-energy
“Airtightness in Buildings: Don’t Let it Slip Through the Cracks!” RMI,
https://rmi.org/airtightness-buildings-dont-let-slip-cracks/
“Using a Blower-Door Test and Interpreting the Results,” Fine Homebuilding,
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/insulation/using-a-blower-door-test-and-interpreting-the-results
“Which Home Energy Upgrades Will Save You Money? We Did the Math,” Washington Post,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2025/home-efficiency-emissions-cost/