Better building sealing

A new series of videos has been released to help builders and homeowners get a handle on making more airtight buildings for better health, comfort, durability, and energy efficiency.

“Two topics that often get overlooked in Australian construction are air tightness and insulation completeness,” says John Konstantakopoulos, Affil.AIRAH, from Effiency Matrix.

Konstantakopoulos says Australian standards on air tightness have lagged behind many parts of the developed world, but that is changing.

“More emphasis is coming on build quality, not so much what you build with, but how well you put everything together,” he says. “It just makes sense. Why pay to heat or cool your home and then let the air leak out?”

Airtightness requirements for residential buildings are already included in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019, and these will be made tighter in the future.

“The future of residential building in Australia will be strongly influenced by consumer demand for energy efficiency, comfort, climate resilience and quality,” says Konstantakopoulos.

“Both the Australian Building Codes Board and Australian governments are committed to the COAG Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, and this will affect building regulations, including the NCC. Builders will be expected to place increased emphasis on meeting and proving energy efficiency compliance. You’ll be asked more and more to understand and deliver both code compliance and long-term building health and performance.”

The videos are a collaborative project between AIVAA (the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Association of Australia), Efficiency Matrix, and Pro Clima Australia. They are supported by the COAG Energy Council National Energy Productivity Plan through a project managed by the South Australian Government. It is a part of the Building Envelope Design and Construction for High Performing and Energy Efficient Homes project.

Click here to view the videos.