| Air Tightness Testing | Why it Matters |
For Contractors, building air-tight matters primarily because it is a key requirement of Part L. However, there are numerous on-going benefits attributable to reduced air leakage in buildings:
- Reducing Carbon Emissions: Part L is a vital part of the Government’s strategy towards achieving the UK’s carbon emissions reduction targets. Air leakage accounts for a large proportion of the energy wasted in buildings: energy that by and large is generated at power stations, most of which produce vast quantities of carbon gasses in the process – a major contributor to global warming.
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- Reducing Energy & Plant Costs: Reduced air-leakage is clearly in the interests of building's owners and/or occupiers. Substantial savings in both heating and cooling costs could result. Plus, the size (and therefore capital cost) of the heating and cooling plant can be reduced from the outset.
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- Protecting the Building Fabric: If warm, moist air is allowed to leak into the external wall cavities of a building, it will tend to cool and form interstitial condensation. This accumulates over time leading to degradation of insulation, damp patches, deterioration of the fabric, etc.
- Increased Comfort: Another benefit to the building owner or their tenants is the increased comfort levels experienced by the occupants, thanks to the eradication of cold spots, draughts and ineffective air-con, which could otherwise threaten productivity.
Most, if not all of the above benefits could be used advantageously by Contractors that are able to offer more air-tight buildings when tendering to prospective Clients. Furthermore, under the new Part L Building Regulations, providing the overall BER (Building CO2 Emissions Rate) is achieved, Contractors could make cost savings by aiming for greater air tightness levels, which could be used as a trade off to reduce reliance on more costly energy reduction measures.