Retrotec Residential Pressure & Air Leakage - Manual (Page 2)

Page 2 of 75
©Retrotec Inc. 2014
Copyright © 2014 Retrotec Inc.,
All rights reserved.
This document contains materials protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws. No part of this
book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission
from Retrotec Inc.
Retrotec makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability, quality, or fitness for any particular purpose. The information in this document is subject to
change without notice. Retrotec reserves the right to make revisions to this publication without obligation to
notify any person or entity of any such changes.
DucTester, Infiltrometer, FanTestic are Trademarks of Retrotec Inc. Other trademarks or brand names
mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Table of Contents
Operation Manual ......................................................................................................................... 1
Testing Procedures ........................................................................................................................ 1
Residential ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Pressure and Air Leakage .............................................................................................................. 1
1. Air leaks when there is a pressure difference across a hole ................................... 6
1.1 Pressure differences you will see in a home ........................................................................ 6
Stack pressure is created by warm air rising or cold falling and is the major force in energy loss ..... 6
Wind pushes air into and pulls air out of buildings ......................................................................... 6
Exhaust mechanically removes energy but at least it can be controlled .......................................... 7
Leaky forced air ducts and imbalanced systems cause pressure differences ................................... 7
1.2 Where Houses Leak ............................................................................................................ 7
1.3 Warm Moist Air does damage in walls ................................................................................ 8
1.4 What Does Air Leakage Cost? ............................................................................................. 8
1.5 How Blower Doors Measure Air Leakage ............................................................................ 9
1.6 Reduce causes of Bias pressure to get good test results ...................................................... 9
1.7 Reduce uncertainty in results by taking lots of readings .................................................... 11
2. Preparing a Building for Air Leakage Testing ......................................................... 12
2.1 First considerations .......................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Preparation Checklist ....................................................................................................... 13
2.3 Preparation of Intentional Openings ................................................................................. 14
2.3.1. Select a Doorway .............................................................................................................. 14
2.3.2. Windows and Doors .......................................................................................................... 15