Breaking Down Building Standards and Air Leakage Testing Methods Guiding Canada Towards Net-Zero Emissions

Canada and other countries around the globe are pushing towards net-zero emissions by 2050, and to achieve this target, experts are prioritizing building design and retrofitting for energy efficiency. Canada’s Green Building Strategy asserts that our built environment is responsible for up to 13 per cent of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Drilling down, over 78 per cent of operational building emissions come from space and water heating, generated by equipment that typically runs on fossil fuels.

However, the efficiency of mechanical and electrical systems is only part of the puzzle. Building envelopes are becoming a major focal point of modern sustainability efforts, as air tightness can have a significant impact on a building’s energy efficacy. Ensuring optimal building performance (harmony between the envelope and HVAC systems) avoids unnecessary carbon production, which is a win for the environment and anyone looking to lower their utility bills.

In service of reaching these sustainability goals, experts are developing and fine-tuning energy conservation standards and model codes to set air-tightness targets, and recommending testing be carried out to verify building performance.

Increasing Air Tightness Standards and Incentives

Architects and engineers are increasingly setting project-specific air tightness targets and integrating air leakage testing into commissioning plans, in line with both mandated and voluntary building standards.

The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) is a federal model code that sets out standardized minimum technical requirements for energy-efficient design, retrofits, and new construction in Canada. Provinces and territories may adopt the NECB as is or make modifications to create their own specific codes. Either way, the aim is to have all new buildings constructed to net-zero energy ready standards by 2030.

ASHRAE, Passive House, and Canada Green Building Council are some of the national and international bodies that provide the voluntary building standards commonly used in Canadian development. Depending on where your building is located, there are business and financial incentives available to building owners and property managers who certify that their building’s air tightness, among other efficiency considerations, are in line with these standards.

That begs the question: how do we measure the air leakage?

Methods for Air Leakage Testing

Whole building air leakage testing is one way to test whether a building is meeting its energy performance goals and can be completed by trained professionals, like the engineers at Pretium! Guided by standards like ASTM E779-10, our professionals use blower doors to pressurize the building and quantify how much air escapes through cracks, joints, and penetrations in a building’s envelope.

The results set a baseline and offer designers, builders, and owners a measurable way to verify the performance of their buildings, whether new or retrofitted.

The concept of whole building air leakage testing is straightforward, however, conducting these tests come with significant logistical and technical hurdles, especially in large or occupied buildings. Carrying out the test successfully requires ongoing consideration of environmental conditions, set-up requirements, and communication with occupants.

Capability of Modern Infrared Thermography

Using non-destructive infrared (IR) sensing equipment thermographers can visually detect thermal variations across building surfaces. This creates images called “thermograms,” that reveal hot and cold spots that can correlated with air leaks, missing insulation, or thermal bridging.

Infrared thermography, used during or after testing, simplifies air tightness troubleshooting while minimizing disruptions to building occupants.

Long-term Benefits of Air Tightness Building Performance

Ensuring airtight construction can save property owners, managers a substantial amount of money in energy savings. Studies estimate that improving air tightness can reduce heating and cooling energy consumption by 25-40 per cent, depending on the building type and location.

In a large commercial building, this can translate into tens of thousands of dollars in annual savings. Tighter buildings reduce the load on HVAC systems, extend equipment lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and create a more comfortable environment for occupants.

As more jurisdictions move toward mandatory airtightness testing, and designers adopt performance-based goals, tools like whole building air leakage testing and infrared thermography are becoming essential in quantifying results.

Together, these technologies help builders and owners meet regulatory requirements while driving energy savings, improving occupant wellbeing, and reducing carbon footprints, one building envelope at a time.