Air barrier: Stop leaks to save energy

Air barrier: Stop leaks to save energy Air barrier solutions for building envelopes

If your goal is to operate buildings with greater energy efficiency, consider improving your building envelopes. In Canada, commercial and institutional buildings (e.g. schools) account for 18 per cent of energy demandi. According to the Department of Energy, more than 10 per cent of all energy use is attributed to the conditioning of building envelopes. If your buildings leak due to age or poor envelope construction, unintentional air infiltration/exfiltration can result, costing you up to 40 per cent more for heating and up to 15 per cent more for coolingii. The solution is an air barrier system installation to control air leaks.

IntegRAteD sOLutIOns: testIng, MAteRIALs, systeMs, AnD InstALLAtIOn Our buildings are composed of many different components and tying them together creates air barrier continuity. Unfortunately, due to various factors, the air barrier is often not continuous. It could simply be because of its age (built prior to peal-and-stick membranes and sealants being invented) or possibly because of bad building techniques or simply time allowing for pre-existing seals to fail. Whatever the case may be, when there are holes in your building envelope, coupled with air pressure differentials, air leakage will occur.

MAkIng yOuR BuILDIng enVeLOPes AIRtIght The good news is that there is a fix without a complete renovation taking place. Having a Building Envelope Air Leakage Study completed on your building can identify where uncontrolled air leakage is occurring. With the use of tools such as a smoke pencil, visual and thermal imaging cameras, air leakage can be identified in buildings. Energy assessment software can also be used to track leak sources and their severity, which in turn, determines the quantity of uncontrolled CFM of air that can be reduced in the building. Energy calculation software, along with the building energy data, is then used to determine energy savings as a result of the recommended air sealing.

the COnsequenCes OF AIR LeAkAge: • Heat loss in winter/heat gain in summer, resulting in excessive energy consumption • Inefficient operation of mechanical ventilation systems • Uncomfortable indoor temperatures and poor humidity control • Poor indoor air quality • Condensation, moisture, and mould damage • Pests and rodents entering the building

ReACh yOuR BuILDIng enVeLOPe’s FuLL POtentIAL A Building Envelope Air Leakage Study can help you find your building’s energy efficiency potential. Pair energy savings with the increase in your building’s longevity, and you’ll see why “sealing the envelope” makes such good financial and environmental sense. When implemented, building envelope weatherization measures can free up available capital to help fund building maintenance projects.

To learn more about Building Envelope Air Leakage Study from Canam, please contact Luc Seguin at 250-589-7313 or lseguin@canambuildngenvelop.com.

I Canadian Electricity Association. Canada’s Electricity Industry. www.electricity.ca/media/ Electricity101/Electricity101.pdf

II Air Barrier Association of America n