Air Permeability Test for new-build dwellings in England
Air Permeability Testing (also known as Air Tightness Testing or Air Leakage Testing) is the measurement of the total area of air gaps in a building’s external fabric.
The larger the area of air gaps, the more hot air that will escape and the more cold air that will get in (draughts). The less heated air that escapes a building, the less heating that is required to compensate for the heat loss.
All new dwellings in England require an Air Permeability Test result to calculate the Dwelling Emission Rate in the SAP Calculation which, in turn, produces the As Built Energy Performance Certificate. The Air Tightness test is usually done just before practical completion and involves and on-site visit. The result is then put into the SAP Calculation to determine the final EPC rating of the building.
All residential new builds need to achieve a minimum level of air permeability of (10m³/(h.m²)) as part of the building regulation compliance.
The larger the area of air gaps, the more hot air that will escape and the more cold air that will get in (draughts). The less heated air that escapes a building, the less heating that is required to compensate for the heat loss.
All new dwellings in England require an Air Permeability Test result to calculate the Dwelling Emission Rate in the SAP Calculation which, in turn, produces the As Built Energy Performance Certificate. The Air Tightness test is usually done just before practical completion and involves and on-site visit. The result is then put into the SAP Calculation to determine the final EPC rating of the building.
All residential new builds need to achieve a minimum level of air permeability of (10m³/(h.m²)) as part of the building regulation compliance.
