Õhutõmme

Õhutõmme refers to the unintended leakage of air into or out of a building. This phenomenon is a significant factor in a building's energy performance, comfort, and indoor air quality. Air can infiltrate through cracks, gaps, and openings in the building envelope, which includes walls, roofs, windows, and doors. Conversely, conditioned air can exfiltrate from the building, leading to energy loss.

The primary causes of õhutõmme are poor construction quality, material degradation over time, and the presence of penetrations for services like plumbing, electrical wiring, and ventilation systems. In older buildings, õhutõmme is often more prevalent due to less stringent building codes and materials used in their construction. Modern building practices increasingly focus on airtightness to mitigate these issues.

The consequences of significant õhutõmme can include increased heating and cooling costs as conditioned air escapes and unconditioned air enters. It can also lead to drafts and uneven temperatures within the building, reducing occupant comfort. Furthermore, uncontrolled air leakage can transport moisture, potentially causing condensation, mold growth, and damage to building materials. In terms of indoor air quality, õhutõmme can draw in pollutants from the outside or from unconditioned spaces like attics and crawl spaces, affecting the health of occupants.

Assessing and addressing õhutõmme is a crucial aspect of building diagnostics and energy efficiency retrofits. Techniques such as blower door tests are commonly used to quantify the overall airtightness of a building. Sealing air leaks with appropriate materials like caulk, weatherstripping, and spray foam can significantly improve a building's performance, leading to energy savings, enhanced comfort, and better indoor environmental quality.