- Plumbing (fresh water in; used water out)...
- Fresh water lines enter through the foundation and course through the building leaving a trail of penetrations.
- Sewage lines create even larger penetrations for both drainage and ventilation.
- Electrical...
- Power penetrations are smaller but more prevalent.
- Finding and sealing these penetrations can greatly decrease draftiness.
- HVAC...
- HVAC is designed to make us more comfortable by conditioning our building space.
- HVAC causes pressure changes in the building which draws in unconditioned air and pushes out conditioned air.
- A well sealed HVAC controls the sources and paths of the air.
- Using mechanical ventilation, when necessary, and managing the ducts can create the most efficient conditioning system.
- Measuring the amount of conditioned air escaping the building is a key product of the Blower Door Test.
- Entries...
- Doors are the largest penetrations in the building. Well sealed doors dramatically reduce draft.
- Door vents can also be used to manage airflow.
- The Blower Door Test measures flow out of the building and can be used to measure flow between sections of the building.
- Windows...
- Windows are over-rated as a solution to energy efficiency.
- Poorly sealed windows can be a significant source of air leakage that is easily remedied without replacement.
- Conditioned versus unconditioned space...
- The building envelope includes conditioned as well as unconditioned space.
- The Blower Door Test is used to determine where the greatest air exchanges take place.
- Ideally, air in unconditioned space stays there and any ventilation needed is brought in from a clean safe source.
