Our Services

Air tightness testing — also known as blower door testing — measures how much air leaks through the fabric of a building. A calibrated fan is temporarily installed in an external doorway and used to pressurise or depressurise the building. The resulting air flow measurement gives an air permeability figure in m³/(h·m²) at 50 Pa, which is used in SAP energy calculations and required for Building Regulations compliance on new dwellings in Northern Ireland.

Tests typically take one to two hours on site. Results are provided on the day, and a full test report is issued shortly afterwards. Where a building fails to meet its target, I can carry out a smoke test to help locate the main leakage paths before a retest.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is a legal requirement when selling or letting a residential property in Northern Ireland and must be produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor.

The assessment involves a visit to the property to record construction details, insulation, heating systems, glazing and other relevant features. The data is entered into the government-approved RdSAP methodology to produce the EPC rating and a set of recommended improvement measures. The certificate is lodged on the national EPC register and is valid for ten years.

Draught detection combines blower door pressurisation with smoke detection to make air movement visible. By depressurising the building and introducing smoke at suspected leakage points — around windows, doors, loft hatches, service penetrations and junctions — it is possible to pinpoint exactly where air is entering or leaving the building fabric.

This service is particularly useful for homeowners who want to understand why their home feels draughty or is expensive to heat, and for builders who need to identify and seal leakage paths before a formal air tightness retest. A written summary of findings is provided after each survey.

A thermal imaging survey uses a calibrated infrared camera to capture the surface temperature distribution of walls, ceilings, floors and other building elements. Areas of heat loss, missing or displaced insulation, cold bridges and moisture ingress show up as distinct temperature anomalies that are invisible to the naked eye.

Surveys are carried out under appropriate conditions — typically in winter or when there is a sufficient temperature difference between inside and outside — to ensure meaningful results. Images are captured both internally and externally where access allows. A detailed report is produced containing annotated thermal images, an explanation of each finding and, where relevant, recommendations for remedial action.

Windows, doors and glazing units are among the most common sources of heat loss and air leakage in both new and existing buildings. This inspection service assesses the condition and performance of installed units — checking for failed sealed units, inadequate frame seals, poor installation detailing, and evidence of condensation or moisture ingress.

Where appropriate, the inspection is combined with thermal imaging to reveal temperature anomalies around frames and glazing that indicate air leakage or thermal bridging. A written report is provided detailing the condition of each element inspected, any defects identified, and recommended remedial or replacement actions.

New dwellings in Northern Ireland require both a satisfactory air tightness test result and a lodged EPC before Building Control will issue a completion certificate. Combining both services in a single visit — along with the collection of evidence for as-built SAP calculations — reduces disruption on site and ensures the test result feeds directly into the final SAP calculation and EPC.

The package includes a full blower door air tightness test, collection of as-built SAP evidence, the final SAP calculation using the measured air permeability figure, and lodgement of the EPC on the national register. A test report and EPC are issued promptly after the visit. Where a dwelling fails its initial test, smoke testing to locate leakage paths and a retest can be arranged.