Air Tightness Testing: The Invisible Upgrade Your Building Desperately Needs
- John Leahy
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 8
When we think about making our homes or buildings more energy-efficient, we often jump straight to solar panels or new windows. But there’s something even more impactful—and often completely overlooked: air tightness testing.
If you want your building to perform at its best, reduce energy bills, and stay cosy year-round, it all starts with a professional air tightness service. And guess what? Forsah is here to make that entire process easy, accurate, and hassle-free.
Table of Contents
What Is Air Tightness Testing?
Air tightness testing is the process of measuring how much air escapes or enters your building through gaps, cracks, or poorly sealed areas. It’s like putting your home under a pressure test to see how well it holds conditioned air inside—because if it leaks, you’re wasting energy and money.
At Forsah, we use a blower door test, which involves a temporary door-mounted fan that pressurises or depressurises the building. This allows us to measure air leakage with precision. This isn't just good-to-know info—air tightness testing is a legal requirement under Irish building regulations for new builds and deep retrofits.
Why You Need Air Tightness Service
A certified air-tightness service isn't just helpful—it’s essential for any building. It helps slash energy bills by preventing heat loss through leaks, which in turn reduces heating and cooling costs. By eliminating drafts, it ensures consistent indoor comfort throughout the year. Improved air tightness also boosts your Building Energy Rating (BER), enhancing overall energy performance. Additionally, it helps prevent future problems like moisture build-up, mould growth, and long-term structural damage. Such services ensure full compliance with Part L and SEAI building regulations. Think of it as a health check for your building envelope—identifying hidden issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
What Makes Forsah Different?
At Forsah, we offer air tightness testing as a service, not just a one-time test. That means we don’t just show up with gear and walk away—we’re here to guide you from start to certification.
Our air tightness service offers a full-service approach, covering everything from site preparation advice to delivering certified reports. Whether you're working on a new build or a renovation, we ensure a smooth and efficient process. With precision diagnostics using advanced tools like thermal imaging and smoke pencils, we accurately identify the exact locations of air leaks. If your project doesn’t pass the initial test, there's no need to worry—our support and retesting service helps you address the issues and ensures you’re ready for a successful follow-up. All tests are fully certified and compliant with NSAI and SEAI standards, making them ideal for BER submissions.
How Forsah’s Air Tightness Testing Works
Our process is simple, fast, and flexible:
Schedule Your Test – We’ll work with your timeline and construction phase
On-Site Setup – We install the blower door system and seal off all required openings
Run the Test – We measure air flow, pressure changes, and overall leakage rate
Find the Leaks – Using advanced tools, we show you exactly where issues are happening
Deliver the Report – You get a certified, clear, and easy-to-read test result
Fix and Retest (If Needed) – We support you in improving your score for retesting
Our air tightness service is tailored for both residential and commercial properties.
Who Needs This Service?
This service is ideal for a wide range of clients and projects. Homeowners upgrading their insulation or heating systems can benefit greatly, as can builders and contractors who need to meet Part L compliance standards. Architects designing low-energy or passive homes will find it essential for achieving airtight construction. BER assessors can rely on certified blower door results for accurate evaluations, while developers marketing energy-efficient homes and offices can use the service to demonstrate performance credentials. It’s also perfectly suited for retrofit projects applying for SEAI grants, ensuring all air tightness requirements are met.
Book Your Air Tightness Test Today
Don’t wait until your BER rating comes back lower than expected, or your home feels like an icebox in winter. Get ahead of the game with Forsah’s professional air tightness testing and service.
Whether you're planning a new build or upgrading an existing space, we're here to help you improve efficiency, cut energy waste, and create a more comfortable living environment.
Click here to book your air tightness service nowLet’s make your building smarter, tighter, and future-ready—with Forsah.
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