Draught Finder 4. Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test Trevor Clark Qualified - Air Tester & Thermographer Non Destructive Inspections Accredited by Independent Airtightness Testing Scheme

The result can be used as a direct comparison to other buildings Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test Why do we need to perform an Air Tightness Test ? 1. To comply with Building Regulations – Part L Conservation of Fuel & Power 2. As part of an Energy Audit To SAVE MONEY on heating or cooling (ENERGY) bills Can be carried out on ANY size of building The result can be used as a direct comparison to other buildings

Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test Why do we need to perform an Air Tightness Test ? To SAVE MONEY on heating or cooling (ENERGY) bills How does this save energy? When the wind blows cold air from outside enters the building, more energy is needed to heat the cold air & to replace the lost warm air that gets pushed out.

Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test Why do we need to perform an Air Tightness Test ? If we can prevent the air from leaking from our buildings we can SAVE Energy … and MONEY on heating our buildings. But FIRST we need to find out HOW much air is leaking. To Do this we need to Test the building for Air Tightness.

The fan is turned ‘ON’ and air is drawn out of the building Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test How do we Test ? We use a “BLOWER DOOR” and special pressure meter. The fan is fitted into an external opening. All external openings are closed and all internal doors are opened. The fan is turned ‘ON’ and air is drawn out of the building

Air Tightness Inspections The Air Test How do we Test ? The fan induces a very small pressure difference between inside and outside the building. Equal to a wind speed of approx 22 mph The pressure difference means that higher pressure air will force it’s way towards the lower pressure. The test can be a “POSITIVE” or “NEGATIVE” pressure test or BOTH depending on the test requirements.

Air Tightness Inspections The difference between a ‘Tight’ or ‘Draughty’ building? Air Leaky - Draughty Air Tight - Ventilated Right Air Leaky – High Heating Costs Air Tight – Low heating Costs

Air Tightness Inspections Benefits of an ‘Air Tight’ Building Lower ENERGY RUNNING COSTS, less energy input Improved COMFORT CONDITIONS, steady temperatures Improved INDOOR AIR QUALITY, providing sufficient ventilation is installed Quicker HEAT UP TIME, retaining heat longer. Less DIRT & GRIME, brought into the building, Reduced Washing cycles Improved INSULATION PERFORMANCE, prevents air blowing through or around insulation Improved ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE, less noise transmitted Improved OCUPANCY SATISFACTION, fewer complaints from tenants, reduced rent disputes Avoidance of moisture related BUILDING DAMAGE, lower maintenance Lower ENERGY CAPITAL EQUIPMENT COSTS, smaller replacements required Improved BUILDING STANDARDS, Builders take more care when building Less CO² used in heating or cooling – Helping Government meet CO² reduction targets

Air Tightness Inspections If air is invisible, how do you find leaks? By using one of three methods; 1. By Feeling the Air flow 2. Infrared Thermography 3. By using Special Smoke For information on these, please see next slide show in this series; 7. Finding Air Leaks