New Home Energy Final Testing in Austin: A Builder’s Checklist

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No passing certificate means no closing. For builders, superintendents and general contractors, the energy final is one of the last gates before a new home can close, and a failed test late in the schedule means a re-test fee and a delay. This checklist covers what gets tested, when to schedule it, and how to avoid a failure.

What the Energy Final Requires

Austin’s energy code requires new homes to pass two performance tests before the final inspection:

• Blower door test: measures how much air leaks out of the whole house. Under Austin’s current energy code (the 2024 IECC, in effect since July 10, 2025), the limit is 4.0 air changes per hour at 50 pascals (4.0 ACH50).
• Duct leakage test: pressurizes the duct system and measures leakage to outside the conditioned space.

Passing results are documented in a compliance certificate for your city inspection. Not sure how the two tests differ? See blower door vs. duct blaster test.

Builder’s Checklist: Step by Step

1. Book testing early in the build schedule

Call early, not the week before closing. Early scheduling lets your tester work around your trades instead of competing with them for the house.

2. Run the duct leakage test once the ducts are installed and sealed

Test after the ducts are fully installed and sealed, but before registers and grilles go in, so any duct repairs are still easy to reach. Duct leakage is one of the most common code failure points in new construction, so catching it at this stage saves a costly re-test.

3. Run the blower door test after drywall and insulation

Test after drywall and insulation are complete but before final finishes. The house needs to be sealed up, while trade access is still easy for any sealing work.

4. Make sure your trade team is available

If a potential failure shows up during testing, we flag it on the spot so your trades can address it before the official result is recorded. Having someone on hand who can seal a leak turns a likely failure into a pass.

5. Get the compliance certificate into your inspection package

Passing results go into a compliance certificate formatted for your city inspection, delivered fast so the report doesn’t hold up your inspection or your closing.

What Happens If a Home Fails?

It happens, and it isn’t the end of the world. What matters is knowing fast. A failing home gets a detailed report of exactly where the leakage is, so your trades know what to seal and no one is guessing. Re-tests are scheduled quickly to keep the project on track.

Who This Is For

Our new construction testing serves custom home builders, production builders, general contractors coordinating final testing, and new homeowners who need final inspection sign-off. We test across Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, West Lake Hills, Lake Travis and surrounding areas, and we’ve been doing this in Austin since 2009.

Selling an existing home instead? That’s a different requirement. Sellers of older homes in Austin may need an ECAD audit, not new construction testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tests does a new home in Austin need before the energy final?

A blower door test for whole-house air leakage and a duct leakage test. New homes must pass both before the final inspection and closing.

What is Austin’s blower door limit for new homes?

Under Austin’s current energy code (the 2024 IECC, in effect since July 10, 2025), a new home can leak no more than 4.0 air changes per hour at 50 pascals (4.0 ACH50).

When in the build should each test be scheduled?

The duct leakage test is done after the ducts are fully installed and sealed, before registers and grilles go in. The blower door test is done after drywall and insulation are complete, before final finishes.

What happens if a new home fails the blower door or duct test?

You get a detailed report of exactly where the leakage is so your trades know what to fix, and the re-test is scheduled quickly. We also flag likely failures during testing whenever possible, before the result becomes official.

How much does new construction testing cost in Austin?

At Green Leaf Energy, new construction testing starts at $549. Production and multi-lot projects are priced by project. Call (512) 922-7522 for a quote.

Is new construction testing the same as an ECAD audit?

No. An ECAD audit applies when selling an existing home. New construction testing is required to pass the final building inspection on a newly built home.