Air Pressure Testing

Residential air tightness testing is generally required for new homes and housing developments in the UK as part of building regulations. This information is then fed back into the energy rating of a new property.

An air tightness test is also utilised for homeowners’ retrofit projects. It helps to achieve maximum energy efficiency by checking air leakage rates, a major cause of heat loss and moisture-related issues. We conduct air tests as part of retrofit plans for several reasons:

• Pre-installation to rate the performance of an existing house and to uncover any possible issues.
• During a home retrofit installation, an airflow test can check the installation quality and identify any air leakage rates during the project.
• Post-installation air tightness testing checks the installation and confirms the expected performance is achieved.

• Pulse testing has minimal disruption and is suitable for occupied houses. This uses a quick burst (or pulse) of air released into the building and provides data on the building’s overall airtightness.

• Blower door testing is a more recognised method for measuring building airtightness. It utilises a powerful fan in a doorway to create a pressure difference between the inside and outside, which determines the house’s air leakage rate.