Building fabric that allows uncontrolled air flow - leaky buildings - can lead to increased energy usage and poor air quality from pollution or moisture ingress. The measure of air leakage (air tightness or air permeability) in a building may also be used as a surrogate measure of build quality.
As buildings become more and more energy efficient, the greater the percentage of energy consumption may be due to air leakage, and therefore the importance of air permeability and building air tightness will increase over time.
For instance mandatory efficiency rating of new buildings in Britain includes verification of the building fabric air tightness. QED conducts air permeability testing in buildings to assist in predicting NABERS energy ratings, air permeability being a key variable in building energy simulations.
Our staff has been trained in procedures for following the ATTMA Technical Standard L2, The Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association, October 2010.
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