Blower doors: a subsidized success

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Energy Auditor Retrofitter; (United States)

OSTI ID:5315459

The blower door, essentially a fan that fits temporarily into a door frame, is a useful tool for locating and sealing air leaks in a house. (see Blower Doors: Infiltration is Where the Actions is, EAandR, Mar/Apr 1986 for a description of how they work). A year ago, prospects for the blower door industry appeared bright. At that time, there were 11 firms in the U.S. and Canada manufacturing blower doors, and the number of doors in use had increased 30% compared to the previous year. Today, the outlook is less rosy. Although estimated sales of blower doors increased from 390 in 1985 to 730 in 1986, the market has shaken down to six blower-door manufacturers. The manufacturers realize that they are not in an industry that will see open-ended growth. Says David Saum of Infiltec, a blower-door manufacturer, The blower door industry is not a growth business. There's a lot of price competition, but it's a technology that never caught on, and I don;t think it's gong to. It's kind of a dead end. 1 reference, 2 tables.

• OSTI ID: 5315459
• Journal Information: Energy Auditor Retrofitter; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Auditor Retrofitter; (United States) Vol. 4:5; ISSN EAURE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWERS
BUILDINGS
DOORS
HOUSES
OPENINGS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SALES
WEATHERIZATION