What is the primary goal of whole-building airtightness testing?

The primary goal of whole-building airtightness testing is to assess the overall energy efficiency of a building. This testing measures how well a building can contain conditioned air and resist the ingress of unconditioned air. A tightly sealed building envelope reduces the amount of energy required for heating and cooling, leading to improved energy efficiency and potentially significant cost savings on utility bills.

By identifying and quantifying air leaks, airtightness testing helps building owners and designers understand where improvements can be made. This is essential for optimizing HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) design, improving comfort levels, and contributing to sustainable building practices. Additionally, a focus on airtightness is increasingly important in achieving compliance with energy codes and standards.

While mold growth, occupancy load, and interior volume are important considerations in building design and operation, they are not the main aim of airtightness testing. Mold growth relates more to moisture management and indoor air quality, occupancy load is relevant in terms of safety and regulations, and interior volume pertains to spatial measurements rather than energy efficiency assessments.