With energy costs continuing to rise, minimization of air leakage is back in the spotlight. What does this mean in practical terms? How do you design for it? How do you implement it in the field?

From material selection and proper detailing, to construction quality control and commissioning, numerous factors contribute to the effectiveness of an air barrier and its ability to reduce energy consumption. The concept is not complicated but does require attention to detail by all parties involved in the design-construction process. With buildings estimated to consume 40 percent of the nation’s primary energy in 2010, the importance of air barriers is ever increasing.

Construction Today recently published an article by Morrison Hershfield entitled Demystifying Air Barriers:  Their Effect on Energy Consumption.  The article, written by Chris Norris, P.E., LEED AP and Medgar Marceau, P.E., LEED AP, investigates air barriers and their effect on whole building energy usage.  It appeared in the April 2010 issue of the magazine.

To download a pdf of this paper visit our Technical Papers web page.