Which testing method is commonly used to assess air leakage in a building?

The blower door test is commonly used to assess air leakage in a building because it allows for the measurement of the air tightness of the structure. This testing method involves using a high-powered fan mounted on a door frame to pressurize or depressurize the building. By creating a difference in air pressure inside and outside the building, the test can quantify how much air escapes through leaks in the building envelope. The results help to identify areas where air leaks are occurring, enabling targeted improvements for energy efficiency.

Other methods, while useful in different contexts, do not specifically measure air leakage in the same quantitative manner. Thermography and infrared scanning focus on thermal imaging to identify temperature differences and may indicate areas of air leakage visually, but they do not provide direct measurements of airflow. Smoke testing, on the other hand, uses smoke to visualize air movement and leaks, but it is more of a qualitative method and does not quantify air leakage rates.