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What Is Airtightness Testing?

Air leakage means that air is moving in and out of a building without control. When warm air rises, it tries to escape the building quickly, pulling in cold air to take its place.

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If a building is tightly sealed, the air inside changes less often, and it requires less energy to keep it warm. 

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New building regulations now requires all new homes must meet a specific airtightness level. .

Here's how the test works:

Preparation: The process begins with thorough preparation. This involves closing all windows and doors and ensuring that any openings, such as vents, are temporarily sealed. The goal is to isolate the building from external air influences.

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Installation of Testing Equipment: Specialised equipment, including a blower door, is installed in an external doorway. The blower door consists of a powerful fan that is used to depressurise or pressurise the building, creating a pressure difference between the interior and exterior.

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Pressure Adjustment: The blower door is activated to either pressurise or depressurise the building. This change in pressure helps simulate the effects of wind and other environmental conditions on the building envelope.

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Detection of Leaks: As the pressure is adjusted, technicians use specialised tools such as smoke pencils or infrared cameras to detect air leaks. These leaks can occur around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other penetrations in the building envelope.

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Quantification of Air Leakage: The amount of air leakage is quantified by measuring the airflow created by the blower door at the specified pressure (50 pascals). This measurement is typically expressed in air changes per hour (ACH) or cubic feet per minute (CFM) and provides a clear indication of the building's overall air tightness performance.

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Identification of Problem Areas: Technicians can identify specific areas where air leakage is occurring. This information is crucial for any subsequent remediation efforts and can help in improving the overall energy efficiency and comfort of the building.

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Reporting: A comprehensive report is generated based on the test results. 

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Get In Touch

Phone:             087 - 2702671

Email:               info@globetekenergy.ie

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