What does the use of a blower door test typically measure in a building?

The use of a blower door test is primarily focused on measuring the air leakage rate of a building. By pressurizing or depressurizing the building envelope, the test allows for the quantification of how much air is unintentionally entering or leaving the building. This measurement is crucial for understanding the building's energy performance, as excessive air leakage can lead to significant energy loss, increased heating and cooling costs, and discomfort for occupants. The results from a blower door test can also help identify specific areas where air sealing measures could be implemented to improve the overall airtightness of the structure.

While energy efficiency ratings may be influenced by the results of the blower door test, and temperature variations might be considered in a broader assessment, the direct and primary measurement taken during the test is the air leakage rate. Noise levels are not part of this specific evaluation.