Whole Building Air Barrier Testing

The construction of any new building will have several types of products that serve as the complete air barrier system. There is often a membrane, flashing, and sealants applied to form a continuous plane around a building.  Modern exterior air barriers are either fluid-applied or self-adhered sheets. Both methods are designed to prevent unintentional penetrations that may result in uncontrolled airflow in and out of the building.

Reasons to Order Air Barrier Testing

Verification of designed energy performance is often the main reason for air barrier testing. Properly installed air barriers can reduce a building’s heating and cooling energy use by 30%.  Since 35% of all energy use in commercial buildings is for heating and cooling a correctly installed and verified air barrier is critical in energy performance. Air barrier tests play a crucial role in minimizing air leakage. Learn more about how they impact energy efficiency in our detailed Air Leakage Testing article.

Uncontrolled air can lead to long-term threats to a building’s durability.  Air barriers help control airflow so only the fresh air supply and stale air exhaust that is designed for the building’s use is present. Unintended air leaks cause problems that result in early degradation of a building.  An effective air barrier manages more than just energy use. Other benefits of a properly installed air barrier are:

  • Reduces condensation
  • Limits deterioration
  • Meets recent building codes requirements
  • Controls air leakage
  • Improves indoor air quality
  • Provides comfort to occupants
  • Reduces the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the building

For a deeper understanding of how blower door testing compares to air barrier testing, check out our comprehensive Blower Door Test guide.

A building owner wants to know that the building will be durable and perform as designed.  3rd party verification, such as the type provided by Energy Incentives, will assure an unbiased opinion on the quality and performance of the air barrier installation.

How are Air Barrier Tests Performed?

Air barrier testing is a multi-step procedure that requires the proper equipment and training.

  1. The architectural plans are reviewed to provide a quote.
  2. The air barrier test is scheduled so as not to impede other trades or interfere with the schedule.
  3. Energy Incentives will determine which preparations for testing the builder will be responsible for.
  4. The day before the test we will walk through the building to make sure everything is ready for test day.
  5. A test plan will be developed and shared with the builder. The test plan will show door placement, location of hoses, and preparations.
  6. On test day we will transport and set up our equipment including several large fans, vinyl doors to support fans, manometers, computerized software to sync with the fans, ladders, and setting up a wireless or CAT 6 network.
  7. All intentional penetrations will be sealed off. This includes exhaust fans and HRV’s. 
  8. Test will proceed. We will pressurize and depressurize the buildings 100’s of times per minute and at a variety of pressures.  Internal pressure differentials will be monitored.  Blower door placement will be adjusted if needed. Energy Incentives uses ASTM E779 and ASTM E3158 standards.
  9. If the air barrier test reveals excess air leakage our diagnostic team will perform a thermal infrared scan using ASTM E1186 standard, a zonal pressurization test, and a smoke tracer test as needed.
  10. A detailed report will be given to the builder, the owner’s agent, and the local code enforcement as requested. The report will show the results, the equipment used, the placement of the hoses, and recommended improvements if needed.
  11. Retest after improvements if needed.

Benefits of Using Energy Incentives for your Air Barrier Testing

Energy Incentives, INC is a building science business that stresses 3rd party verification of the performance of your new construction building. We have over 25 years’ experience in energy efficiency, inspections, verification, and certification of buildings. Since whole building air tightness tests have become common in Washington State, we have been on the forefront of understanding the standards and protocols required. Energy Incentives, INC had two Air Barrier Technicians enrolled in the 1st inaugural Whole Building Tightness Testing class presented by Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). We have performed air barrier tests on buildings of all sizes and types. Air barrier tests have been performed on Office buildings, auto mobile repair shops, warehouses, multifamily, and mixed-use buildings, ranging from 10,000-200,000 sq. ft.

Our Expert Team

Lori Sanders

Lori Sanders

Lead Consultant of Energy Incentives, is a certified a HERS and Energy Star Rater. She holds certifications as a LEED Green Rater, Energy Star Multifamily New Construction (ESMFNC) verifier, and is a level 2 Thermographer. With advanced certificates in Energy Auditing and Inspections, Lori holds an Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology and has extensive experience in energy efficiency. Lori serves her community as an elected Public Utility Commissioner and has served on the Executive Board of Energy Northwest.

Daniel Sanders

Daniel Sanders

Director of Administration and wearing many hats! Daniel is a HERS and Energy Star Rater as well as an Air Barrier Technician. He manages all of our HR, Safety Programs, and Schedules. Daniel brings his “Eagle Scout” skills to work every day. He will work hard to deliver your project in a timely manner so as not to interfere with other trades.

Jordan Sanders

Jordan Sanders

with an Associate of Arts degree and background in construction management Jordan is a master problem solver. He has extensive experience is the mechanics of air flow (fluid dynamics) and excels in diagnostics. Jordan is our Director of Field Operations. Also an Eagle Scout, Jordan has a passion for rock climbing, hiking, and the Pacific Northwest. He is always up for an adventure and enjoys the travel required for some of our projects

Our Company

Energy Incentives, INC

Energy Incentives, INC is certified as a Women Owned Enterprise, a Small Business, and a HUBZone business. We have over 25 years experience in 3rd party verification of high performance buildings.

General Questions

We use fans that are strong enough to depressurize a building.  We usually use multiple fans if the building is over 5,000 sq. ft. The fans are installed in a frame, covered in vinyl, that fits in a doorway. The vinyl will have 1-3 holes that the fans fit into. After the fans are at high enough pressure, we have monometers that tell us how many cubic feet per minute (CFM) that is blowing through the fans. We then perform some mathematical calculations to tell us how many cfm of air leakage the building has.  The greater amount of cfm blowing through the fans, the greater amount of air leakage the building has.

Most General Contractors or Owner’s Agents contact the Air Barrier Testing Company for a quote early in the construction process.  This allows us to review the plans and give input on potential problems that we foresee.  We generally make our 1st visit to the job site near the end of construction, before your final inspection from your local jurisdiction. We need to do our testing after all unintentional holes are sealed.  For instance, weatherstripping on all exterior doors must be installed. 

Energy Incentives, INC has provided technical building science services for over 25 years. Our Air Barrier Technicians have been trained by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) for Whole Building Air Tightness and by FLIR Training Center in Thermography. Using up to date calibrated equipment, along with our experienced employees, you’ll receive a professional report that details your building’s performance. We are known for coming prepared to get the job done with the least amount of interruption to your schedule as possible.

  • Experienced in Whole Building Air Tightness Test for buildings of all types and sizes.
  • Up to date training from ABAA for our Air Barrier Technicians
  • Certified Level 2 Thermographer
  • Verifier for Energy Star Multifamily New Construction. Qualifying you for 45L tax credits.
  • Verifier for Multifamily Zero Energy Ready Homes. Qualifying you for a 45L tax credit
  • LEED Green Rater
  • Energy Star Benchmarking in Portfolio Manager. Clean Buildings qualified.

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