New Model 5 Minneapolis Blower Door Simplifies Airtightness Testing – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Product Guide

The first new Minneapolis Blower Door to enter the market in decades looks to simplify how we test building tightness

My first blower door—which is still in operation today—was The Energy Conservatory’s Model 3 Minneapolis Blower Door paired with a DG-700 manometer, which I purchased in 2009. I’ve conducted hundreds of blower-door tests with that setup. Eventually I upgraded to the DG-1000 manometer, which simplified how the equipment is set up and how I conduct a test. But I continue to use that same Model 3 fan.

In early 2025 I started hearing rumors that TEC was developing a new blower door, and later that year I got a sneak peek at a preproduction model. But I was sworn to secrecy. The secret is finally out: TEC has officially introduced the Model 5 and is now taking preorders.

The Model 5 is more than an update to the familiar red door of truth. TEC has redesigned much of the system around the way blower-door testing is done, with wireless communication, integrated pressure measurement, automatic flow-ring detection, and an optional battery.

What’s changed?

Everything! It’s smaller and considerably lighter than the Model 3. The Model 5 fan weighs 19 lb., or 21.5 lb. with the optional battery. TEC lists the comparable Model 3 fan and controller at 37 lb.

But perhaps the bigger change is that much of the equipment needed to conduct a test is now built into the fan. The Model 5 has an integral flow gauge that measures the pressure needed to determine airflow through the fan. Building pressure is measured separately using either TEC’s single-channel DG-8 or two-channel DG-1000. The gauge and fan communicate wirelessly using Bluetooth.

That eliminates much of the tubing and wiring required with the Model 3. When using the DG-8, the only hose that needs to be connected is the outside reference tube used to measure building pressure.…