Building Air Leakage
What is building air leakage?
Building air leakage, or air tightness, refers to the resistance of a building envelope to inward or outward air leakages. There are a variety of difference factors that can affect a building's air leakage; including external weather (i.e wind) and internal building ventilation systems.
Why is building air leakage important?
Excessive air leakage results in increased energy consumption as well as draughty and cold buildings. Improving building air leakage levels can not only provide real cash savings, but also improve comfort for those residing in the building, whether inhabitants or, in the case of businesses, people who work within the building.
New build houses and buildings are required to meet the minimal regulations regarding building air leakage, but for people living in houses built before these regulations were put in place, there are ways of reducing air leakage through air sealing.
If you live in a PRC (Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete home) then it is likely your house is suffering from air leakages that could be costing you money. Building envelope testing can provide you with a thorough review of your building's current air leakage levels and also provide you with an affordable and effective solution.
New build houses and buildings are required to meet the minimal regulations regarding building air leakage, but for people living in houses built before these regulations were put in place, there are ways of reducing air leakage through air sealing.
If you live in a PRC (Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete home) then it is likely your house is suffering from air leakages that could be costing you money. Building envelope testing can provide you with a thorough review of your building's current air leakage levels and also provide you with an affordable and effective solution.
Benefits of air sealing:
- Lower heating bills due to less heat loss from the building
- Fewer draughts, making the building more comfortable for those in it
- Reduces the chance of damp associated problems occurring like mould
- Improvement in the buildings general ventilation
Anglia Air Testing Case Study
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Building location: Thompson
Test technician: Vince Test company: Anglia Air Testing Ltd |
Building information:
Envelope Area, AT: 219 m² |
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BEFORE air sealing
Test notes:
Air sealing: fireplace/bathroom vent/bedroom vent HVAC systems present: oil fired boiler/wall events/no airconditioning |
AFTER air sealing
Test notes:
Air sealing: fireplace/trickle vents/extractors HVAC systems present: oil fired boiler/2 open fireplaces/intermittent extractors/ trickle vents/no airconditioning |
Test summary:
The results show after air sealing that there was a drastic reduction in the air flow through the building; showing that external air flowing into the building had been limited. The permeability of the building has also been reduced significantly.
What this means for the house holder:
Reduction in the air flow through the house will reduce the energy needed to heat the house, therefore saving a considerable amount of money. The permeability of the house levels now show that external factors inluding wind should have less effect on the house as a whole.
The results show after air sealing that there was a drastic reduction in the air flow through the building; showing that external air flowing into the building had been limited. The permeability of the building has also been reduced significantly.
What this means for the house holder:
Reduction in the air flow through the house will reduce the energy needed to heat the house, therefore saving a considerable amount of money. The permeability of the house levels now show that external factors inluding wind should have less effect on the house as a whole.
How to get your house's air sealing tested:
Contact SC Construction to find out how we can help you with a thorough analysis of your house and see how much money we can save you by improving your house's defences against air leakages.