Hey Ed, How Do We Measure Infiltration Into a House?
In This Edition of “Hey Ed,” Ed Talks About Infiltration Into a House
Hey Ed, how do we measure infiltration into a house? Infiltration into a house is something that can be addressed in several ways and utilized in different ways. When we're doing a load calculation, knowing how leaky the houses are gives us a better load calc. There are ways that we can estimate it based off of visuals, but whenever it comes to any metric, they can be measured so why not measure it? The device that we measure the infiltration into a house is something called a blower door. If it's not something you're familiar with, I'm not in the limited amount of time I have for these clips to explain it to you. That would be something to be in your best interest to Google. But one of the things I do want to point out and this comes directly from a friend of mine who happens to own one of the companies that manufactures this equipment. The leakage that's measured with a blower door is not an exact or precise measurement of the infiltration into a house. It gives us a good estimate, but it is not nearly as accurate with the results that it produces as a lot of the other testing that is used and is very accurate in our industry. And that's the way I see it.
- Hey Ed, a contractor asks when calculating for the eaves with gutters that are 29″ long and all the windows are 3″ from the top overhang – is this normal? - December 18, 2024
- Hey Ed, our code requires a supply grille in every room even if Manual J® calls for zero CFM. Any advice? - December 11, 2024
- Hey Ed, Do We Ever Try to Get Our Systems to Meet AHRI SEER2 Operating Efficiency? - October 23, 2024
Ed Janowiak is the Manager of HVAC Design Education at ACCA.
Have a question you'd like to see Ed answer?
Send it on over by using the form below.
Posted In: Hey Ed