Tag Archives: Cracks


Cutting Your Home Expenses and Conserving The Outdoors

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If you like saving your money but are not as in to sustainability there are a few simple ways that you can save money and help the environment at the same time. The best ways is to cultivate your own garden. If you have never done so it truly takes less than 24 hours to get stated and it is an great way to spent more quality time with your children and instill responsibility. The best part is after you get everything planted, all you really must do is water them every day and if you can grow them from seeds you will save even more on homegrown produce. Similarly you can find local markets or roadside stands with fresh fruits and vegetables that is usually pretty cheap and taste even better. These may not be easily found everywhere but in many areas like Nashville Tennessee, they are every few blocks. If you own your property, you can check into what grasses grow well in your climate without constant maintenance and excessive watering. By using the correct blend of grasses, you can save a considerable amount of money every month on your water bill and be environmentally friendly at the same time. You can also save hundreds of dollars yearly by making certain your home is well insulated and by sealing any cracks. Purchasing a programmable thermostat or merely adjusting you’re A/C or heater before you leave home can really save you a lot. Similarly, having you HVAC serviced annually will pay back the cost of doing so and then some and as an additional benefit prolong the life of your unit. Also if you recycle, in some cities you can save money on your utility bill and they will provide the bins for you. If you areas municipality does not, put in a call or write them as they could as it saves them money and it is a great incentive to get others involved.   

Air Testing in Energy Performance Certificates

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From April 2006 Building regulations require that new builds comply with ‘Part L’. This means that a percentage of new properties must go through air tightness testing, air leakage testing and air permeability testing.

Testing airtightness is the process to trace any unwanted wind and unrestrained airflow through the house . A lot of air leakage leads to heat loss which results in greater C02 emissions. Reducing C02 emissions is the purpose of ‘Part L’ in the new building regulations through airtightness testing, air leakage testing and air permability testing.

Both domestic and public buildings have to be examined for air leakage, air tightness and air permeability to adhere to L1 & L2 regulations.

If the home exceeds the specified size, or happens to be a domestic property , you can’t pass it across to the customer without the recognised air leakage test certificate .

Part L of the Buildings Regulations demands that all buildings that aren’t residential , and that have a total floor space greater than 500m2, be accountable to a compulsory air permeability examination . L2 demands that for residential dwellings a representative section of houses (in a development) be tested .

The airtightness of a building is called ‘air permeability’ or leakage rate. This leakage will occur through gaps, holes and cracks in the framework of the building envelope which aren’t always visible . This air leakage alters the building’s effectiveness and is now firmly embedded in Part L of the Building Regulations & Conservation of Fuel and Power. Making a building extensively air tight cuts down the amount of fuel needed to heat it. This then reduces the CO2 produced and reduces your carbon footprint – So it is definately valid and necessary .