Chapter 12: Air Leakage Diagnostics
This chapter focuses on pressure-testing homes, to determine their airtightness and to guide air-sealing during weatherization. Ideally the air barrier and insulation are installed together at the building’s thermal boundary. The airtightness of the air barrier has a substantial effect on comfort, energy efficiency, and performance of the insulation. The testing described here helps to analyze the existing air barriers and decide whether and where air-sealing is needed.