Analysis of airtightness and air leakage of wooden houses in Korea

Abstract

Airtightness of buildings is one of critical aspects of its energy performance. To build up references of airtightness of wooden houses built in Korea, blower door tests have been carried out in 42 houses since 2006. Causes of air leakage were investigated recently. The average value of air change rate was 3.7 h-1 for light frame house and 5.5 h-1 for post-beam construction at ACH50 (air change per hour at 50 Pa air pressure difference). Foam type insulation was more advantageous in ensuring building airtightness than glass fiber batt. Airtightness of wooden houses which were constructed after 2010 was improved to have less than 1.5 h-1 of ACH50, threshold for application of artificial air change. The average air change rate of CLT (cross laminated timber) houses showed the lowest value, 1.1 h-1, among the tested structures.