Air Tightness Testing For Commercial Buildings

If you’re responsible for a commercial building, performance isn’t just about compliance — it’s about cost.

Heating, cooling, and energy use all add up. And if the building isn’t performing properly, you’ll feel it every month.

The problem is, most issues aren’t obvious.

Air leakage, poor ventilation, and inefficient systems can all impact performance without being immediately visible.

We help you understand how your building is actually performing — and what needs to change to improve it.

Who This Is For

This service is typically used by:

  • Commercial property owners
  • Facilities managers responsible for building performance
  • Landlords managing multiple properties
  • Developers delivering commercial units
  • Businesses looking to reduce energy costs

If you’re responsible for how a building runs day-to-day, this is where small inefficiencies turn into ongoing costs.

Why Commercial Buildings Underperform

Commercial buildings are often assumed to be efficient — but in reality, many aren’t.

Common issues we see include:

  • Air leakage through building fabric and service penetrations
  • Inefficient heating and cooling due to poor sealing
  • Ventilation systems not performing as intended
  • Inconsistent temperatures across different areas
  • Higher-than-expected energy usage

These problems don’t always stand out straight away.

But over time, they lead to:

  • Higher energy bills
  • Reduced comfort for occupants
  • Ongoing performance issues
  • Difficulty meeting compliance requirements
If you’ve got a project coming up and want to avoid delays at the final stage, get in touch and we’ll help you get it right first time.
Part L building regulations air tightness test

What Happens During A Test?

We use specialist equipment to measure how air is moving through the building.

The process involves:

  • Setting up calibrated fan equipment
  • Pressurising and depressurising the building
  • Measuring air leakage rates
  • Identifying likely areas of air loss

This gives you a clear, real-world view of how your building is performing.

Energy Efficiency Audits For Commercial Properties

If you’re looking at the bigger picture, an energy efficiency audit is the best place to start.

We assess how your building is performing overall — not just in one area.

This helps you:

  • Understand where energy is being used and lost
  • Identify inefficiencies across systems and structure
  • Prioritise improvements that will have the biggest impact
  • Avoid wasting budget on changes that won’t make a difference

Air Tightness Testing For Commercial Buildings

Air tightness testing measures how much uncontrolled air is leaking through the building.

In commercial properties, this directly affects:

  • Heating and cooling efficiency
  • Energy costs
  • Overall building performance

Our testing helps you:

  • Identify where energy is being lost
  • Improve efficiency across the building
  • Meet air tightness building regulations
  • Reduce unnecessary energy use
  • Support long-term cost savings

We don’t just provide a result – we explain what it means and where improvements can be made.

Ventilation And Building Performance

Air tightness is only part of the picture.

If ventilation isn’t working properly, it can lead to:

  • Poor air quality
  • Discomfort for staff or occupants
  • Moisture-related issues
  • Inefficient system performance

We assess how airflow is working across the building, helping you strike the right balance between efficiency and air quality.

HVAC testing in a modern office

Built Around How Commercial Sites Operate

Commercial buildings don’t always allow for downtime.

You’re working around:

  • Occupied spaces
  • Business hours
  • Operational constraints

We keep things practical:

  • Flexible scheduling to minimise disruption
  • Clear communication with your team
  • Straightforward advice you can act on

Our focus is on helping you improve performance without getting in the way of day-to-day operations.

Commercial Air Tightness Testing FAQs

Air tightness testing measures how much uncontrolled air is leaking through a commercial building. It helps identify where energy is being lost and how efficiently the building is performing.

Air leakage affects heating and cooling efficiency, which directly impacts running costs. Over time, even small inefficiencies can lead to significantly higher energy bills across a building or portfolio.

It depends on the project. New builds often require testing to meet building regulations, while existing buildings use it to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.

It can — by showing exactly where air is escaping, you can target improvements that reduce wasted energy and improve overall efficiency.

Yes. We regularly carry out testing in occupied commercial spaces and work around business operations to minimise disruption.

Air tightness relates to how much air leaks through the building. Ventilation is how fresh air is supplied and circulated. Both need to be balanced to maintain efficiency and a comfortable environment.

Yes. Alongside testing, we carry out energy efficiency audits to assess overall performance and highlight where improvements will have the biggest impact.

We explain the results clearly and highlight where improvements can be made. You’ll understand how the building is performing and what steps will help improve efficiency.

Book Your Air Tightness or Ventilation Test

If you want to reduce energy costs and understand how your building is really performing, we can help.

Call 0161 706 1401 or send a message online — we’ll respond quickly and help you take the next step.