ABSTRACT
Buildings are complex sets of materials and systems which are an interaction between the climate, the building's users, and the building's envelope. Buildings create a boundary between exterior and interior in order to provide both visual and thermal comfort. The more consistent the thermal envelope and air barrier are, the less energy the building will use. Less energy demand means less energy production. Many ways in which we construct buildings can cause breaks in the envelope's effectiveness. Thermal bridges are where materials or fasteners touch both the interior and exterior wall conditions. We make intentional holes in the envelope for windows and doors as well as mechanical and electrical penetrations. We have unintentional holes where materials join and abut. Thermal imaging can be used on existing buildings to diagnose envelope issues. Blower door testing is used to identify how much and where leakage is happening in the building's envelope.
