Why Homes Fail Energy Inspections in DFW
We’ve been seeing a pattern lately on rough inspections—homes that look ready are still failing due to air sealing issues. Not because anything major was missed, but because a few key details weren’t fully addressed.
Here’s what we’re seeing in the field and what actually matters.
Air Barriers: What Actually Matters
What is an air barrier?
An air barrier is the system or material that stops air from coming into the building envelope.
A lot of builders assume that closed cell or open cell spray foam takes care of this, but insulation is not the air barrier—it slows the transfer of heat from the air barrier to the conditioned air inside the house.
The air barrier itself has to be fully sealed to actually work. When it’s not installed completely or correctly, that’s often why blower door tests fail—even on spray foam homes.
Where We See Failures Most Often
Most failures happen where the air barrier is not continuous.
Common problem areas include:
Top plates not sealed before insulation
Air barrier not fully installed or not installed per manufacturer specifications
Wire and pipe penetrations left open (especially in garages and attic spaces)
Windows and doors not properly sealed and flashed
Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls not sealed
Attic access openings not gasketed or sealed
Dropped soffits or chases left open to attic air
Even small gaps add up quickly and can cause a failed inspection or blower door test.
From the Field
Over the last quarter, we’ve seen multiple homes fail after insulation was installed.
The main issues:
Air barrier not intact
Insulation not installed properly
Top plates not sealed
These are quick fixes before insulation—but much harder to correct after.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
Before calling for your rough inspection, a quick walk-through can save time:
Verify the air barrier is fully sealed and continuous
Seal all top plates
Foam or seal all penetrations
Check windows and doors are properly sealed and flashed
Check attic access is sealed or ready to be
Verify exterior wall backing (tubs/showers) is sealed
Look for any open chases or soffits
Final Thoughts
We know timelines are tight, and our goal is always to help you pass the first time.
If you ever want us to walk a job before inspection or help catch issues early, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to help.
