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.
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