Download 6. Finding Air Leaks

Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
Trevor Clark
Draught Finder
Qualified Air Tester & Thermographer
Non Destructive Testing
Accredited by Independent Airtightness Testing Scheme
Member of UK Thermography Association
Air Tightness Inspections
6. Finding Air Leaks
If air is invisible, how do you find leaks?
By using one of three methods;
1. By feeling the airflow !
2. Infrared Thermography
3. Special Smoke
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
1. By feeling the airflow !
Our hands have lots of nerve ends which can detect heat and air
movement due to the cooling effect of airflow over the skin, especially the
back of the hand when wet!
Then, by systematically going around the building and closing the internal
doors when can establish where the air leaks are worse, as the door wants
to close quicker in these rooms!
Entering the room and looking for air leaks from experience we can find a
lot of leaks purely from noting the temperature of air flowing over our
hands
But neither of these two methods are as quick or accurate as using a
thermal camera. Also they don’t provide information as to where
EXACTLEY the air leaks are located for repairs.
Our Thermal Infrared Camera DOES !
Air Tightness Inspections
3. Special Smoke
Finding Air Leaks
If air is invisible, how do you find leaks?
We can use a Smoke Pencil
This technique is used when the building is under “Positive” pressure.
Or for
large
buildings a
Smoke
Generator
It can be quite
dramatic as smoke
billows out from the
building.
But we need to inform
the Fire brigade or . . .
Air Tightness Inspections
3. Special Smoke
Finding Air Leaks
We can use a Smoke Pencil
The fan is set to Pressurise the building and
the Inspector works from inside the building.
The ‘Smoke Pen’ is moved to where air leaks
are suspected.
The smoke is drawn to the gap and pulled
through. The gap is then sealed.
Or for large
buildings a
Smoke
Generator
The fan is set to Pressurise the
building and the Inspector works
from outside the building.
The ‘Smoke Generator’ fills the
building with smoke.
The smoke is comes out of holes
or gaps. These are sealed.
Using smoke takes time!
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
Finding Air Leaks
Why?
Advantages of Non-Contact Thermography
1. Safety – Safe inspection of operating plant such as electrical
systems, power can be left on during inspection. No disruption
2. Remote – target can be inaccessible to contact instruments or in
motion. High ceilings
3. Non-Intrusive – some materials can be damaged by contact or
could change temperature with contact.
4. Measurement Speed – objects that are changing rapidly in
temperature or moving can be measured.
So many uses; Powerful & Accurate!
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
Finding Air Leaks
Air is also a good energy transporter.
As such it will transfer heat as it searches for a way
into or out off the building.
This air leaves an trace “pattern” behind, due to this
energy transfer.
Provided there is enough difference in temperature we
can “SEE” this trace pattern.
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
Finding Air Leaks
To “see” the air leakage area we use our
Infrared Camera.
This technique is used when the building is under “Negative” pressure
It is quick, accurate and non-destructive, with minimal disturbance.
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
Finding Air Leaks
Combined Air & Thermal
Inspection
The Power of Combining these Technologies
1+1=2
NOT always,
Sometimes the sum of two items exceeds the sum of the
individual components
By COMBINING these two technologies we increase the power of both
to create ONE VERY POWERFUL TOOL
Sometimes …
1+1=4
!
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
Finding Air Leaks
Before the fan is switched on,
Yes a problem, but …
Within 5 minutes of fan running
Turns out to be a MUCH BIGGER problem altogether!
Consumer Unit
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
EXAMPLES
Finding Air Leaks
Ceiling Rose
Air Leak via cable entry
Air Tightness Inspections
2. Infrared
Thermography
EXAMPLES
Finding Air Leaks
Light Fitting
Air Leak via cable entry
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
What is the benefit of sealing air leaks ?
Sealing Draughts (air leaks) is one of the ….
MOST EFFECTIVE
CHEAPEST
PERMANENT
Means of increasing the energy performance of ANY building.
And the MOST cost effective way to LOWER heating bills !
An INVESTMENT that could produce a return of 20% or
More! year on year! (depending how draughty it is now!)
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
What is the benefit of sealing air leaks ?
1. Lower ENERGY RUNNING COSTS, less energy input
2. Improved COMFORT CONDITIONS,
3. Improved INDOOR AIR QUALITY,
steady temperatures
providing sufficient ventilation is installed
4. Quicker HEAT UP TIME, retaining heat longer.
5. Less DIRT & GRIME, brought into the building, Reduced Washing cycles
6. Improved INSULATION PERFORMANCE,
prevents air blowing through or around insulation
7. Improved ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE,
less noise transmitted
8. Improved OCUPANCY SATISFACTION,
fewer complaints from tenants, reduced rent disputes
9. Avoidance of moisture related BUILDING DAMAGE,
lower maintenance
10. Lower ENERGY CAPITAL EQUIPMENT COSTS, smaller replacements required
11. Improved BUILDING STANDARDS,
Builders take more care when building
12. Less CO² used in heating or cooling – Helping Government meet CO² reduction targets
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
Where are the Common Air Leakage points?
Assuming you have draught proofed the windows & doors
Fans & Vents
Windows
External
Doors
Plumbing
Penetrations
4%
10%
2%
Electrical
31%
Floors, Walls &
Ceilings
11%
13%
15%
Chimney &
Flues
14%
Ducts
If you had a hole
the size of a
football in the
lounge –
you would fill it?
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Air Leaks
Take one external door. Around the frame to structure a 1mm gap.
This equates to a hole 70mm diameter – a tennis ball
– Multiply by 7 other openings
& there’s your
football ……. . . .
And we haven’t started looking yet!
The culprits;
Cables, Waste Pipes, Ducts, Ventilation Fans, etc;
In fact at ANY point where a hole has been made in
the envelope area and not sealed afterwards!
Check the waste trap behind the bath panel, see how big the hole is!
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Other Problems
Can you see the gaps in floor boards?
Flooring
Air Leak via Gaps in floor boards
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Other Problems
What’s the problem?
Missing Insulation
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding Other Problems
What’s the problem?
Air Leak & Thermal Bridge
Air Tightness Inspections
The Cost of Air Leakage
Past Air Tightness
Energy
required per
m³/1°C
Air
Air
Changes
Volume of
Infiltration
(0.00035kW)
per Hour Building m³ Volume m³/hr
kW
Energy
required m³
for average
15°C Increase
kW
Compare the Cost.Com
Energy cost
Energy cost
Energy cost per heating
hour @
£0.085/kW per 24 hours season of 120
£'s
days £'s
(Approximation)
1950’s House 20 Air Changes
1950's
20
185
3700
1.30
19.43
£1.651
£39.63
£4,755.24
1990's
15
185
2775
0.97
14.57
£1.238
£29.72
£3,566.43
2005
10
185
1850
0.65
9.71
£0.826
£19.81
£2,377.62
2014
5
185
925
0.32
4.86
£0.413
£9.91
£1,188.81
Best Practice
3
185
555
0.19
2.91
£0.248
£5.94
£713.29
Best Practice 3 Air Changes
0.6
185
111
0.04
0.58
£0.050
£1.19
£142.66
Passive House Less than >
0.6 Air Changes
Passive House
For NEW BUILDINGS …
There is no way of calculating how air tight a building is.
Using Accredited Construction Details is good practice.
BUT NOTE ON EVERY ACD: “Complying with all the above checklist items will help
achieve the design air permeability and may affect a reduced testing regime.”
The only way to confirm the Air Permeability or how ‘leaky’ a
building is to -
Perform an Air Tightness Test !
Air Tightness Inspections
Finding & Sealing Draughts (air leaks) is one of the ….
1. MOST EFFECTIVE
2. CHEAPEST
3. PERMANENT
Means of increasing the energy performance of ANY building!
An Air Tightness Test should be performed on ANY building where a
heating system is being replaced.
WHY? – because if you stop air leaks (draughts) you won’t need as big a
heating source (boiler), & especially with a Heat Pump.
Smaller Boiler, Less Cost, Less Energy Used, Lower Running Costs!
SAVING YOU
MONEY ALL ROUND