A required test under building regulation for new builds, airtightness testing can pinpoint problem draughts in any building, helping to identify areas for significant improvement in energy efficiency.
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Airtightness Testing
What is airtightness testing?
An airtightness test is carried out to identify uncontrolled leakage in a building. It essentially indicates how drafty a building is to remediate the effects of heat loss through building fabric elements.
When do I need an airtightness test?
Under TGD L 2019, all new domestic and commercial buildings need an airtightness test when the installation is complete. To satisfy the building regulations, the airtightness test result must be less than 5 m3/hour/m2 @ 50 Pascals. You might also get an airtightness test when doing a deep retrofit of a building to identify the most drafty areas. It can be beneficial when coupled with a smoke test or thermal imaging survey to determine where you are losing heat and if windows are poorly sealed
How do I know if my building is too airtight?
If a natural ventilation system presents an airtightness test result of less than 3m3/hr/m2, your home is too airtight. A mechanical ventilation system may be required to help deliver adequate fresh air.