Efficiency Matrix PassivHaus Air Leakage Testing service.
What is Passivhaus?
PassivHaus or which is also known as Passive House is a building standard which reduces the environmental footprint of a building substantially. Buildings achieving Passive House standard and certification require little or no energy input for heating and cooling. The standard requires
- super-insulation and extreme care is taken in insulation consistency
- high degree of air tightness at or below 0.6ACH at 50Pa
- forced ventilation with energy recovery
In contrast, an average standard home in Melbourne would achieve 15-20ACH @ 50Pa.
Air Leakage and Passive House Certification 
Certification to Passive House ensures they have fulfilled all the criteria for Passivhaus standards. Certification involves some steps which are required to be performed to a defined set of standards. Air leakage testing must be done at two stages of passive house construction, first at the membrane completion, then at overall completion.
Standards of Air Leakage Testing
The air leakage testing for passive house is based on the international standard ISO 9972 with some additional requirements by the Passive House Institute specifically for Passive House projects. The level of air tightness for a Passive House new build is 0.6ACH@50Pa and testing must be performed for depressurization and pressurization. There should be an allowance for three tests to be performed, and the first should be done when the airtight envelope is still readily available for further remedial work. Air leakage testing must include regression analysis of a series of test points over a range, and statistical limits must be attained.
Our service
Efficiency Matrix use, calibrated and state-of-the-art pressure testing equipment, to verify the air tightness of a building for PassivHaus Air Leakage Testing. Our specialized equipment can accurately determine the low levels of flow used in Passive House testing. We perform all final testing to relevant standards for reporting. Our thermal imaging technology helps find trouble spots of leaks which must be resolved to attain the required levels of minimal leakage.
Steps to assist in PassivHaus air leakage tests.
Have accurate dimensions ready. The dimensions of the building envelope are needed for calculation of Area, Volume and Surface Area. The calculations for these must be recorded. The building dimensions should be determined from the inside of external perimeter walls and must be inclusive of inner wall dimensions. Determination of the main leakage points can be determined using infrared imaging if the correct temperature differential exists, which may require heating. Be prepared with sufficient caulking and workers if a timely retest may be needed to achieve the certification standard.
By Mal Boyd
