In the age of energy efficiency, it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure that buildings are as airtight as possible. The process of building air tightness and leakage testing is one way to do just that. This testing helps ensure that all the air escaping a building is accounted for and minimised where possible. It’s an important part of the process for achieving energy efficiency in buildings, especially when considering heat loss through drafts or leaks in the walls and roofing. In this blog post, we will explore what building air tightness and leakage testing involves, why it’s important and how it can be carried out.
We provide 100% Air Tightness service in Adelaide
As the name suggests, air tightness testing is the process of assessing how ‘airtight’ a building is. In simple terms, it’s a test to see how much air is leaking in and out of your home. This is important because leaks can cause all sorts of problems including drafts, energy loss and even moisture damage.
At 100% Air Tightness, we provide a comprehensive air tightness testing service in Adelaide. We use state-of-the-art equipment to carry out our tests and we can provide detailed reports outlining any areas that need to be addressed. We also offer advice on how to improve the airtightness of your home and we can provide guidance on products that can be used to achieve this.
If you’re concerned about the airtightness of your home, or you’re planning to build a new home and want to make sure it’s as airtight as possible, contact us today. We’d be happy to discuss our services with you and answer any questions you have.
Why is it important?
Building air tightness is important for several reasons. First, it helps to improve the efficiency of a building's heating and cooling systems by preventing conditioned air from escaping. This can lead to lower energy bills and a more comfortable indoor environment. Second, it can help to protect the building envelope from moisture damage by preventing outside air from entering the building. This can help to extend the life of the building and reduce repair costs. Finally, good air tightness can help to improve indoor air quality by reducing the amount of pollutants that enter the building.
When should it be done?
Air tightness and leakage testing should be conducted on a new build as part of the quality control process prior to handover to the client. It is also recommended that air tightness and leakage testing is carried out on existing buildings when there is significant change to the building envelope, for example due to a refurbishment project.
The benefits of air tightness and leakage testing
Airtightness and leakage testing is a process of testing a building's envelope to determine if there are any areas where air can enter or escape. This type of testing is important because it can help to improve the energy efficiency of a building, as well as improve indoor air quality. There are many benefits to conducting air tightness and leakage testing, including:
- Improved energy efficiency: By ensuring that there are no gaps or cracks in the building envelope, air tightness and leakage testing can help to reduce the amount of heat loss from a building. This can lead to lower heating and cooling costs, as well as reduced emissions from the building.
- Improved indoor air quality: By reducing the amount of outside air that can enter a building, air tightness and leakage testing can also help to improve indoor air quality. This is especially important for buildings that are located in areas with high levels of pollution or allergens.
- Reduced noise pollution: Airtight buildings will also be better at muffling noise from outside, which can lead to a more peaceful and quiet environment inside the building.
The drawbacks of air tightness and leakage testing
As with any testing method, air tightness and leakage testing has its drawbacks. One potential drawback is that the test may not be representative of the true conditions of the building envelope. This is because the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the building envelope will vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Another potential drawback is that air tightness and leakage testing can be expensive, especially if done on a large scale. Finally, if not done correctly, air tightness and leakage testing can actually cause damage to the building envelope.
Conclusion
Building airtightness and leakage testing is an important part of ensuring the quality of a building's design, construction, and performance. Not only does it uncover potential problems before they become major issues, but it also helps to lower energy costs. By understanding the principles behind this important testing process and following best practices for executing it correctly, you can ensure that your buildings are safe, energy efficient, and compliant with local codes.
