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Whether you’re conducting it in the workplace or at your house, air tightness testing is an important assessment to check how airtight your premises are. The level of airtightness in your residential or commercial property directly influences energy efficiency and indoor air quality, as well as your day-to-day comfort.

The growing demand for energy-efficient properties is more than just a trend; it’s a necessity. Yet, shockingly, more than 56% of homes in England have below-average energy efficiency, with a score of D on their EPC assessments. Besides being a significant and valuable contribution to the environment, energy-efficient measures help you save money and boost

Energy efficiency in the UK is a priority, given the pressing need to meet the net zero targets. This has brought about the introduction of Part L of the building regulations in new and existing buildings.

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. 

The UK government is taking conscientious steps and initiatives to achieve its commitment to the net zero emissions target by 2050. The UK was the first major economy to pass laws to combat climate change, taking up various initiatives, including ending the sale of new fully petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and installing 600,000

This commitment to sustainability put the spotlight on businesses and property owners in the UK and their carbon footprint. Office spaces are increasingly designed to be more environmentally friendly as companies look to meet their internal ESG goals and overall sustainability objectives. Likewise, UK residents and property owners are becoming more conscientious about their property’s EPC checks and air-tightness assessments.

Since 2006, it’s been a mandatory requirement for all types of new builds in England and Wales to be tested for air tightness. Prior to this requirement, it was accepted that the average UK dwelling leaked air at a rate of 11.48 m³/(m² hr) @ 50 Pa. As of 2006, under the current UK building regulations, the standard permissible figures are between 3 and 8m³/(m² hr) @50 Pa.

If you’re building your own home, getting an air tightness test is legally required. Air tightness testing, also known as air permeability testing, air leakage or air pressure testing, helps to measure if air escapes through the cracks and gaps in the building frame. 

Air permeability test results will help determine your property’s energy efficiency, the heating and cooling costs and the comfort of the living areas. 

However, sometimes, a property can fail an air tightness test.

Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or landlord, a good Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is essential for selling, renting or building a property. The UK government is taking proactive steps to reach its climate goals and reduce the country’s overall carbon emissions, and property owners need to ensure their property meets requirements.  

The UK has taken a strong stance towards adopting sustainable living standards over the years. Research by the National Housing Federation has shown that UK homes produce more carbon emissions than the total number of cars in the country. Due to leaky insulation and gas central heating, 25 million British homes produce 58.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Thus, the need for more energy-efficient homes has risen in recent years.