Technology Solutions Case Study: Predicting Envelope Leakage in Attached Dwellings

Program Document · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2013

OSTI ID:1220962

The most common method of measuring air leakage is to perform single (or solo) blower door pressurization and/or depressurization test. In detached housing, the single blower door test measures leakage to the outside. In attached housing, however, this “solo” test method measures both air leakage to the outside and air leakage between adjacent units through common surfaces. In an attempt to create a simplified tool for predicting leakage to the outside, Building America team Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB) performed a preliminary statistical analysis on blower door test results from 112 attached dwelling units in four apartment complexes. Although the subject data set is limited in size and variety, the preliminary analyses suggest significant predictors are present and support the development of a predictive model. Further data collection is underway to create a more robust prediction tool for use across different construction types, climate zones, and unit configurations.

• Research Organization: Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
• OSTI ID: 1220962
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO-102013-4061; 6551
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Building America
CARB
algorithm
attached dwelling
building tightness
cfm50
common wall
guarded blower door
infiltration rates
multi-family
residential
residential buildings
simplified test method
unguarded