AIRTIGHTNESS & VENTILATION
Airtightness Ventilation Testing Donegal
What is Airtightness?
Over the last decade we have seen huge improvements in energy standards in Irish homes, with airtightness being a common feature of many homes. Airtightness is a cost-effective way to reduce the home heating requirements of your home. Airtightness can be described as avoiding the loss of inside air to the outside and also uncontrolled outdoor air coming into your home through cracks in the building fabric. Airtightness is achieved by the use of tapes, membranes and sealants.
Airtightness test
An Airtightness test measures the flow of air in the building. The purpose of the test is to identify where there is unwanted leaks and any airflow through gaps or cracks in the fabric (floors, walls, roofs, windows and doors) of the building. Air leakages leads to heat loss and draughts, which can be uncomfortable for the homeowners.
Who needs a airtightness test?
In compliance with current Building Regulations andEuropean Standard EN 13829, an airtightness test must be undertaken on your home following completion. To comply with current building regulations an airtightness test of ≤ 5 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal pressure is required. These results are used in the final BER calculation.
However, if you are striving to achieve a “very airtight home”, it is advisable to undertake two airtightness tests. The first at the pre-works (after first fix) stage. This would allow you to identify and fix the leaks at this early stage. Also, if you are installing a mechanical ventilation system an airtightness test of ≤ 3 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal pressure is required.
Area to concentrate on during construction to achieve a low airtightness test:
- Seal around doors, windows, skylights;
- Ensure there are no gaps around ceiling insulation;
- Look for and fill any gaps around vents, skylights, and exhaust fans;
- Seal around downlights, pipes, cables, and power outlets;
- Seal gaps between building envelope junctions including floor-wall and wall-ceiling.
If you require an airtightness test, contact EnerRating for a FREE quote.
Ventilation
We spend a large amount of time indoors in our homes so it is very important, when building or retrofitting your home, to think about the quality of your internal air. Due to the Irish climate, we do not open our windows and doors as often as other countries. In order to have a healthy home, good airtightness and reliable ventilation is required. As airtightness in dwellings improves, so does the necessity for reliable ventilation. However, the importance of ventilation has often been overlooked in the past.
Why is ventilation important:
Ventilation is achieved through the intentional introduction of outdoor air into your home which creates good air quality. There are various strategies for ventilating your home including:
1) Natural ventilation: This is achieved by opening windows/ doors and vents located in different rooms. It is important that windows are opened throughout the year, particularly during the winter. Using windows for ventilation will result in the loss of heated air.
2) Mechanical ventilation systems: This is when fresh air is introduced from the outside and distributed throughout the home. There are different types of mechanical ventilation systems including fans and heat recovery ventilation systems.
3) A combination of natural and mechanical methods.
4) Exhaust air ventilation for kitchens and bathrooms: Mechanical extractor fans are a reliable way to control moisture build-up. These fans should be vented to the outside and not into roof spaces or other cavities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Airtightness & Ventilation Donegal
How are Airtightness Testing carried out?
Firstly, all intended ventilation openings are closed or sealed. This includes windows, natural wall vents, extractor fans and chimneys. A blower door is placed at the door opening and creates pressure that forces air out of the home. The pressure of the air flow rate is measured in m³/m²/hr @50Pa and analysed by software which generates the result.
Is Airtightness Testing required on every new dwelling?
Yes, in compliance with Part L of the building regulation, all new dwellings require an Airtightness test on completion.
How much does an Airtightness test cost in Donegal?
An Airtightness test cost €300 + vat of 23%.