Which tool is commonly used by HERS raters for conducting blower door tests?

The blower door fan is an essential tool used by HERS raters to conduct blower door tests effectively. This device creates a controlled vacuum within the building, helping to measure the airtightness of the structure. By using the blower door fan, raters can determine how much air leakage occurs through the building envelope, which is a critical factor in evaluating the overall energy efficiency of a home.

The blower door test provides valuable data that can identify areas of excessive air leakage, allowing for targeted improvements that enhance energy performance. Understanding the results helps homeowners and builders make informed decisions about air sealing and insulation upgrades.

While other tools such as infrared cameras, pressure gauges, and thermal imagers are useful in energy audits, they serve different purposes. Infrared cameras and thermal imagers assess temperature differences to locate insulation deficiencies or thermal bridging, whereas pressure gauges might assist in analyzing pressure variations but do not facilitate the actual air flow measurement needed in blower door tests. The blower door fan is therefore the primary instrument that directly allows for the measurement of air leakage rates in a home.