Infiltration Heat Loss

We have seen that heat can be lost through basement walls, basement floors and slab-on-grade floors. Conduction between materials allows for the heat transfer. In addition, heat can be transferred through windows, doors, and skylights. Indeed, heat is lost through all building surfaces separating a heated space from a nonheated space.

Now, in addition of heat loss through conduction we also have infiltrated heat loss which has to do with uncontrolled air leakage. Many of these leakages occur through imperfections in all the building surfaces of a building, including cracks around doors and windows, air leakage through electrical outlets, and small pipes where pipes pass through. 

Now, the faster that air goes into building from leaks, the more heat is transferred. Buildings with the best quality air sealing are designed to minimize the air that leaks in. They do this through synthetic housewrap, vapor barriers, high quality windows, among other solutions.

When looking at an existing building, one can look for the following to get an idea of the leakage rating of a house:

- if there is cracks around the windows/doors

- quality and type of insulation

- state of weatherstripping around doors/windows

- humidity levels inside of building 

If you are looking for hydronic heating, call Arch Plumbing Inc.