Airtightness Testing

A house's airtightness impacts its efficiency, comfort, and air quality. Enhancing airtightness is affordablely addressed if included in planned work.

A blower door can be used to measure the airtightness of a home and to locate drafts so that they can be closed off.

During a blower door test, a fan is used to blow air out of the house and this, in turn, causes air to be pulled in anywhere there is an air leak.

Leaks can be felt by hand and when the weather is cold (when there is at least a 15°C difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures), thermal imaging can be used to help locate them visually.

The best time to address airtightness is during the planning stage of a project - so that airtightness is designed in. During a renovation, a good time to close off leaks is before the air barrier is covered (ie drywall goes on or exterior cladding is installed). For existing homes, spot air sealing can help reduce drafts and improve comfort.

Contractors

Contractor Airtightness Support

Benefits:

  • Get ACH@50 values to compare to targets set by architects/homeowners/yourself

  • Improve the overall quality of your projects

  • Check your building techniques or test new techniques for high levels of airtightness

  • Ensure airtight installation of windows

Support Option Details:

  • Tests before/during/after sealing work to quantify airtightness values (includes test reports)

  • Leak detection to help you locate areas that can be improved

    • Leaks can be marked for fixing at a later time or you can fix them in the moment to ensure they are closed off (this is easiest when the door is blowing air so that you can feel the gaps)

  • Blower door operation while finishing window installation to help identify and close off leaks

Home Owners

DIY Air Sealing with Blower Door Support

Benefits:

  • Enhance your ability to close off drafts in your home

  • Improve acute comfort

  • Reduce demand on your heating/cooling system

Support Details:

  • We will run the blower door in your home and help you to locate drafts

    • Drafts can be identified from inside and/or outside of the home

  • With the door running, you can use your own materials (such as caulking and weatherstripping) to close off drafts

Costs

Contractor Airtightness Support

  • Up to 3 hours: $300

    • Baseline airtightness test and basic leak detection

  • Beyond 3 hours: $550

    • More extensive support for in-the-moment sealing

  • Use of fog machine for particularly airtight or small buildings: $150 add-on

Homeowner DIY Air Sealing with Blower Door Support

  • We provide the blower door support. You supply the materials and elbow grease.

    • Half Day (up to 3 hours): $300

    • Full Day (beyond 3 hours): $550