Are leaks in a structure…
Arf Shr| Posted inPlans Reviewon
Checking for leaks? is the Green’s leakage decreased in homes, now that it has gone green? Or, is it basically the same / near or = to studies (in normal construction techniques)?
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Replies
I don't understand your question. But I'll make a guess.
If you are asking, "Should a green home have an air leakage rate that is less than the air leakage rate in a typical home?" -- the answer is Yes.
oddly phrased quetion. Is a truly green building materials able to air seal as well as modern materials in construction? Just guessing that's the question.
Matters what you consider green materials. When I look at plastics and other oil based products the home actually might be the one place that having a material that is hard to throw away be wise.
The definition of "normal construction techniques" needs to be spelled out in detail. Many builders (usually in colder climates) were constructing houses that would test under 3ACH/50 even before it was mandated by code under IRC 2012. Many other builder normally built houses 3-5x that leaky prior to IRC 2012, and still struggle with it.
At 3ACH/50 a lot of comfort issues (such as overly dry indoor air in winter) go away, but it also makes active ventilation (particularly kitchen & bath exhaust ventilation) rise in importance for keeping indoor air quality high.
That's not to say leakier houses always have higher indoor air quality- they don't. A lot depends on just where the infiltration paths are.