From June 2025 every home in England and Wales has the opportunity for an air tightness test and have its benefits have a big impact on reported energy efficiency.
When it comes to making your home more energy-efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective, one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools is an air tightness test. While commonly used in new build developments, this simple and affordable test can benefit every home—especially older properties that may be unknowingly leaking warm air and, with it, your hard-earned money.
What Is an Air Tightness Test?
An air tightness test, also known as an air permeability test, measures how much air is leaking out of your home through gaps, cracks, and other unintended openings. By identifying these leaks, you can take targeted action to seal them—improving your home’s thermal performance and reducing energy bills.
Why Every Home Should Have a Air Leakage Test?
Most homeowners are unaware of how much warm air escapes from their property. This not only leads to higher heating costs but also makes your home less comfortable, noisier, and harder to keep warm in winter. An air tightness test is one of the most cost-effective ways to pinpoint problem areas and start making improvements.
Benefits of Air Tightness Testing:
- Lower energy bills by reducing heat loss
- Increased comfort with fewer drafts and cold spots
- Quieter living spaces by sealing gaps that let in noise
- Improved indoor air quality by controlling airflow
Common Culprits: Where Your Home Might Be Leaking
During a typical test, we often find leaks in places you might not expect. Here are some of the most common areas where warm air escapes:
- Bottoms of skirting boards
- Behind kitchen sinks and under plinths
- Behind toilets and under baths
- Around pipes and cables that pass through walls
- Light fittings and plug sockets
- ‘Dot & Dab’ plasterboard installations
- Voids between floors
- Fireplaces and chimneys
- Redundant air bricks
- Poorly fitted windows
- Loft hatches
- Any perforation in ceilings, walls, or floors—inside or out
What Happens During a Test?
Our team uses specialized equipment to pressurise or depressurise your home and detect where air is escaping. The process is quick, non-invasive, and provides immediate insights. Once we identify the problem areas, we can advise on the best ways to seal them—whether it’s with simple DIY fixes or professional insulation solutions.
ATTMA Accredited Engineers and Qualified Domestic Energy Assessors
Using Building Compliance Testing for this service means you receive expert advice. Our engineers are not only competent ATTMA air tightness testers, but qualified domestic energy assessors through Elmhurst Energy accreditation scheme.
We can also go one better by offering home energy planning solutions and healthy home assessment.
A Small Test with Big Results
Whether you’re looking to cut down on energy costs, reduce your carbon footprint, or simply make your home more comfortable, an air tightness test is a smart first step. It’s a small investment that can lead to significant long-term savings and a better quality of life.
Have a project in mind? Let’s get to work
We’re friendly and knowledgeable bunch so why not get in touch for a chat. You can always contact Building Compliance Testing with any questions through phone, email or our online chat service.
Don’t worry, we don’t charge for advice given over the phone, so why not ask for a free quote?