As a developer, whether you’re working on a newly built estate or commercial premises, if the property is larger than 500m2, you will need air testing conducted. For large residential developments, there are nuances that mean not every property needs air permeability testing, however, a large percentage of properties normally do.
Air tightness testing also referred to as an air leak test, was introduced with a primary focus on reducing carbon emissions. These testing requirements became a compulsory regulatory standard in 2006 to help the UK in meeting its emissions targets more effectively. By testing for draughts and air leakage in properties, air permeability testing allows developers to pinpoint problem areas within the building, and insulate accordingly.
With a major portion of the UK’s total carbon emissions stemming from power buildings and other housing structures, the goal is to reduce the heating requirements of residents, in turn cutting emissions.
As a resident, there are plenty of benefits to occupying a modern building. The requirement to pass air testing standards ensures that modern buildings are significantly more cost-effective to heat, reducing the consumer burden, both commercially and residentially.
Air permeability testing is a crucial aspect in all new build developments, with penalties being imposed on developers who do not meet Building Regulations/Standards requirements.
Here are our top reasons why you need air tightness testing in your development.
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1. Necessary for Buildings in the UK
The UK government made air leak tests a necessity as stated in Part L of the building regulations, since 2006, to improve energy efficiency in buildings. This rule was created to verify reduced emissions, standardise home efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
As a developer, you need to understand your legal obligation to conduct air tightness testing on your developments – whether commercial or residential. You need someone reliable in the industry, like the technicians at Gio Property Solutions, to conduct these tests.
Approved by the EAS and iATS for air tightness testing, rely on us for conducting air permeability tests on your developments. Our technicians will ensure that your buildings meet legal requirements and provide you with the necessary certification of your results.
2. Improves Energy Efficiency
The main benefit of air tightness testing is to see how energy-efficient your property is. Our extensive testing includes looking for air leakage and if found, we will provide recommendations to fix it.
Leakage is usually caused due to gaps left during construction and is commonly found at the edges of walls and floors. These air leakages can contribute to an increase in heating costs, contributing to further carbon emissions and higher bills for occupants.
By identifying and sealing these leaks through air tightness testing, energy consumption and utility bills are reduced.
3. Better Quality of Life
As building technology advances, consumers expect higher quality in modern buildings. Air tightness testing gives assurances to buyers and tenants that modern buildings meet legal criteria for occupancy.
These tests allow you to find air leakage areas which need sealing to improve air flow and temperature within your building. Good airflow has become essential in modern buildings, to reduce the heating requirements of homes.
Air tightness testing also increases air quality, allowing ventilation to work more effectively, and reducing the opportunity for mould, pollen, and dust to accumulate in your home. These can cause severe health issues for your occupants, so it’s recommended to get an air tightness test done to avoid this situation.
4. Prolongs Your Property’s Lifespan
Air tightness testing plays an important role in preserving the longevity of modern buildings. When a building is properly sealed, it protects its structure from harm caused by moisture and drafts.
Moisture infiltration is the most common cause of material deterioration in buildings. It can encourage mould growth, corrode metals, and rot wood. These issues not only weaken your building’s structure but also pose health risks to its occupants.
In addition to this, drafts can create uneven temperatures inside your building, which exposes its materials to thermal stresses. Over time, this strain can weaken the material, and develop cracks, or deformities, reducing your building’s lifespan.
Conducting air tightness tests helps identify and fix these leaks, making sure you have a stable and controlled indoor environment. This stability lowers the risk of material damage and extends the building’s lifespan, making air leak detection through air-tightness testing a wise investment for property owners looking to protect their assets.
5. Sustainability
Air tightness testing allows you to gauge air leakage within your building by analysing the structure of the building.
By standardising air tightness within modern building construction, the UK aims to cut fuel wastage, thereby lowering carbon emissions through heating, and increasing sustainability. These tests help to reduce the amount of energy wasted and give residents more control over the temperature of your building.
These tests also help to improve the durability of your building. By minimising air leakage, air tightness testing can identify structural issues, moisture buildup and condensation issues.
Contact Gio Property Solutions for Air Tightness Testing Today!
Now that you know why modern buildings need air-tightness testing, it’s time to choose the right company for the job. The technicians at Gio Property Solutions have years of experience in the industry, prioritising customer satisfaction with reliable, timely execution.
We are one of the few EAS/iATS-approved testers in the UK and can provide you with the best services for air tightness testing. We also provide energy performance certificate services to give an accurate test of your building’s energy efficiency.
To learn more about our services, you can visit our about us page or call us at 07510 060 669 for air tightness testing today!
