Air Barriers: The What, the Why and the How

With stringent energy codes being enacted throughout many states, and the desire for more efficient, and cost-effective commercial and residential buildings, the use of air barriers is becoming more important.

What is an air barrier? Air barrier systems are made up of a number of materials assembled to provide a barrier to air leakage throughout the building enclosure. Basically, an air barrier prevents the infiltration of outside air into a building and the escape of inside air to the outdoors. 

Why should you install an air barrier? Air barrier systems:

• Reduce air leakage in commercial buildings by an estimated  83%, save on gas bills by more than 40%, and cut down on electrical use by 25% or more. (According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology).
• Prevent conditioned air from escaping the building and helping to reduce energy costs by keeping the conditioned air in and the unconditioned air out.
• Help to keep pollutants from infiltrating the indoor environment, improving the overall indoor air quality.  They also help prevent water vapor which in turn helps to prevent condensation problems and mold growth.

So, how do you know that the air barrier system will meet the specifications for performance, design, materials, and assembly, included in the ASHRAE guidelines and in multiple ASTM Standards and Test Methods? SkyeTec offers air barrier testing for homes, large buildings, and commercial properties to provide assurance that the air barrier system is in fact functioning properly and that the property is sealed tight. 

SkyeTec begins the air barrier testing with an infrared imaging scan of the interior in order to locate any possible areas of air infiltration. Next, a Bower Door test is conducted to determine the air leakage. If any areas of significant infiltration are found, a digital photo and thermal image of that area are taken. 

When functioning correctly, air barrier systems are a very effective and beneficial addition to a building's construction. 

Survey Shows Energy Efficient Homes Gaining Popularity

A survey conducted by Green Builder Media shows what we have seen first hand over the past couple of years, consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of owning an energy efficient home. The Consumer Green Preferences Survey was conducted in March with a sample size of 582 adults from around the country. The goal of the survey was to understand what people want when it comes to sustainability, energy efficiency, purchasing patterns, etc.

The results are good news for builders who have implemented an energy efficiency program , whether it be ENERGY STAR® Certification or the HERS Index Program. Of those polled, 79.8%  said they would look for a green rating (i.e a HERS rating) when buying a new home, 85% of those people said that they believe an energy efficient home would sell faster.  Also, when asked what comes to mind when they think of green living, 4 out of 10 people ranked energy efficiency as the first thing.

For builders that haven't started building energy efficient homes yet, the survey results are a good indication of where consumers are headed.

* Image courtesy of Green Builder Media

SkyeTec Recognized with a 2013 Leadership in Housing Award from the EPA

SkyeTec is pleased to announce that we have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2013 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution we've made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by verifying 3,126 ENERGY STAR® certified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $1,256,652 on utility bills and reduce 14,517,144 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. EPA. ENERGY STAR certified homes are more than 30% more efficient than a standard new home.

SkyeTec works hard throughout the year to make it easy for builders throughout the U.S. to build energy efficient homes, and we plan to verify even more homes for 2013.

For more information on  the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Program click here,  or for more information on SkyeTec's ENERGY STAR Certification services, click here.