- Author
- Treado, S. J. | Burch, D. M. | Hunt, C. M.
- Title
- Investigation of Air-Infiltration Characteristics and Mechanisms for a Townhouse. Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, DC Directorate of Civil Engineering, Washington, DC Office of Chief of Engineers, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBS TN 992, August 1979,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- houses; air flow; leakage; permeability; energy conservation; measurement; thermography; construction materials
- Identifiers
- townhouses; infiltration; tracer techniques
- Abstract
- Air infiltration measurements using a tracer-gas technique and the pressurization technique were performed on a three-bedroom townhouse having a gas-fired, forced-air furnace system, in order to quantify the amount of air infiltration due to various mechanisms. These mechanisms include combustion and draft-diverter air requirements, air leakage from supply-air ducts, and air leakage through the solid parts of the building envelope as well as air leakage through cracks around windows and doors. A thermographic survey was also performed in conjunction with pressurization of the structure, in an attempt to identify specific leaks. An apparatus for measuring the air permeability of building materials was used to analyze the significance of air permeation through solid building elements. Based on the findings of the study, general guidelines are presented for reducing air infiltration in residences.