Comparison of different airtightness and air exchange rate measurements in very small test building

The airtightness of the building envelope was studied in field measurements in recently constructed experimental small test buildings. Two types of research studies were carried out: the effect of special air tight sealing and the experimental determination of air exchange rate (h-1) under real operating conditions. In very small buildings with many joints between materials and construction the role of the air tight sealing is very important; the experiments show changes in measured air tightness. Another parameter – air exchange rate has been studied in different test buildings using tracer gas equipment. Results obtained from this research show the real amount of exchanged air and it is very important to evaluate ventilation heat losses for low energy buildings.