Ruling out air leakage from your residential or commercial property is necessary to make it more energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and comfortable.
Air tightness tests are important because they measure how much air is escaping from your property’s cracks, corners, and gaps. Air leakages typically occur when the walls, ceilings, and window sills aren’t adequately insulated during construction. These checks can help identify any leaks and suggest measures to plug them, helping you save significantly on energy usage.
An airtightness test indicates how well-insulated your property is. Adequately-insulated properties require less energy for heating or cooling, directly impacting energy consumption. Moreover, sealed and air-tight properties provide a comfortable living or working environment throughout the year with better air quality. The better your property’s air tightness, the better its carbon footprint, energy savings, and structural protection.
But how do you know if your property needs an air tightness test? In this blog, we explore five signs indicating that your property needs an air tightness test.
5 Signs Your Property Might Need an Air Tightness Test
1. High Energy Bills
If you’ve been consistently receiving high energy bills, your property may be leaking more air than it should. This is the biggest sign that your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is working harder and using more energy than optimum to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
2. Drafts Inside the House
Do you experience a breeze even when the windows and doors are shut? This is a sure sign of air leakage somewhere on your property. Wind drafts can make your property cold and uncomfortable, especially in winter.
3. Uneven Room Temperature
Are some rooms in your old or new property warmer or cooler compared to others? This is often a sign of air leaks. Cold drafts blowing through your property from outside interfere with indoor temperatures, causing discomfort and fluctuating temperatures.
4. Dust and Allergens
Dust, pollen, and other allergens can make their way into your residential and commercial property, putting people with respiratory issues at risk. It may even worsen allergies and cause greater problems for people with pre-existing conditions like asthma. If your residents or employees are experiencing these issues, it could be due to problems with the property’s air-tightness.
5. Condensation or Mould
Air leakage from your property could cause humidity and lead to condensation on windows or mould on the ceilings, pillars and cemented walls. This is because warm air carries moisture that rusts metal when it comes into contact with cold surfaces.
Through airtightness tests, Gio can help identify and remove these risks from your property. Contact us today for reliable air-tightness testing services for residential and commercial properties.
How to Achieve Airtightness in Buildings?
Following the recommendations based on the results of your air tightness test can help you achieve and maximise air tightness for your property. Here are some suggestions you may receive:
1. Seal Gaps and Cracks
Gaps and cracks within your property should be sealed using caulk or weatherstripping.
2. Upgrade Insulation
Proper insulation in attics, walls, and floors of the buildings can prevent heat from coming in during warmer weather and cold winds from getting in during harsh winters.
3. Install Better Windows and Doors
Triple or double-glazed windows and doors can increase your property’s insulation capabilities and secure any air leakages. Check the insulation is installed on doors and windows to prevent air leaks.
4. Use Airtight Tapes and Membranes
Modern materials like tapes and membranes are excellent for sealing larger gaps or covering joints in walls and ceilings.
5. Improve Ventilation
Highly insulated buildings have reduced air leakages and are better ventilated. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is one option that is best for new properties and maintenance of old properties to improve ventilation.
6. Get a Professional Audit
Consult our experts at Gio Property Solutions for an air tightness audit. We perform a blower door test and expert analysis to test for air tightness and recommend solutions specific to your property.
4 Tips to Improve Air Tightness of Your New Property
Air tightness should be a priority before building a new property. Here are 4 tips to improve the air tightness of your new property.
1. Plan Airtightness Early
Work with your builder or architect to incorporate airtightness into your property. High-quality insulation, along with proper caulking, can help your property achieve air tightness.
2. Choose Energy-Efficient Materials
Ensure you use materials with high thermal efficiency to avoid air leaks. These are called energy-saving or eco-friendly materials for a reason!
3. Inspect the Work
During construction, areas susceptible to gaps or poor sealing should be carefully checked. It’s far better to identify these early than try to rectify issues later. Identify gaps and openings to seal during insulation work using high-quality materials.
4. Test Before Moving In
Ask for an air tightness test before you move in. This is helpful as it makes sure that the property conforms to every energy-saving standard.
Investing in maintaining airtightness ensures that your home is comfortable, efficient, and long-lasting.
Contact Mark from Gio Property Solutions for Air Tightness Tests
The question of how to achieve air tightness in buildings doesn’t have one perfect answer. However, seeking professional help for an air tightness test is the first step to getting your property air-tight.
At Gio Property Solutions, we understand that all property owners want to have an energy-efficient property. This is why we offer various services, including air tightness inspections, checks, and retrofitting measures to help owners of residential and commercial properties achieve this goal.Maintaining a property’s air tightness is necessary for ensuring comfort, keeping it eco-friendly and maintaining its value. Contact Mark from Gio today and take action to improve your property’s air tightness!
