Building Thermal Envelope Testing

Whole Building Air Leakage Test

Why do I need a Building Envelope Air Leakage Test?
Requirement of the 2021 IECC code and provides performance testing of the building thermal envelope.

  • Did we get what we paid for?
  • Does the building meet its design criteria for a continuous air barrier?
  • Did the installer/general contractor deliver the continuous air barrier required by the specifications and/or codes?
  • How much conditioned air is the building leaking to the outdoors?
  • How much unconditioned/unfiltered air is leaking through the building cavities and sub-slab soils into the building?
  • Will the building achieve the predicted rate of energy consumption?
  • Was the building insulated properly and is the air barrier congruent to the insulation?
  • Are there thermal voids in the insulation?
  • Is our project in compliance with the air leakage requirements in our state code?
  • Will our building be durable and sustainable, or will concentrated air leakage locations cause condensation and water damage requiring future demolition and repairs?

Benefits of an Air Leakage Test

Testing the rate of air leakage of the building envelope assists in reducing building heating and cooling costs and moisture issues, indoor air quality, ice dams, freezing pipes, with sustainability and durability of the building.

  • Benchmarks building’s air leakage against standards.
  • Identifies leak locations for prioritized repairs.

To Learn More About Energy State Codes please visit the following link:

Status of State Energy Code Adoption. N.p., Aug. 2015. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.

What is a Building Envelope AirTightness Test?