Development of convective testing methods for low-rise multifamily buildings. Final report

This report describes convective testing methods and protocols developed for use in weatherizing low-rise multifamily buildings. The methods can lead to controlling internal air movement and preventing leakage to the exterior by estimating magnitudes of air leakage pathways in garden and town house apartments. The 4 methods cited are: After-a-Retrofit; Equivalent Interfaces; Open-a-Door; and Add-a-Pathway. It is found that, because of modern interior finishing practices, convective problems tend to be more associated with indoor air quality than loss of space conditioning energy. The After-a-Retrofit method is the easiest to integrate into current diagnostic practices. In some cases, the Equivalent Interfaces method may be used on a production basis. The methods are an advance on current field practices that do not quantify the leakage pathways and research practices that require extensive equipment