Building Air Movement Direction & Heat Loss
How to become a "house doctor" for building energy & IAQ problems

HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be - An explanation of the forces that determine the direction of air movement in buildings
- How air movement in buildings can reverse direction
- How building air movment transports indoor air pollutants, mold, gases, odors, and heat
- Where do I find courses & tools for house doctors or building diagnosticians?
- Air Leak Detection & Energy survey tools
- Education courses for house doctors, building doctors, building diagnosticians tracing air leaks & energy losses
- Tools for "House Doctors" survey buildings to find and fix energy losing air & heat leaks
- Where to buy thermogarphy equipment, IR, infrared scanners, and similar equipment
- Thermal scanners or infra red IR scanners and thermography cameras ease finding points of heat loss or air infiltration in buildings
Solar Age Magazine Articles on Renewable Energy, Energy Savings, Construction Practices
Questions & Answers about energy experts, house doctors, building diagnosticians
References

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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

This article discusses sources education, experience, and tools for "house doctors" who use building science, home inspection experience, and thermal scanners, IR scanners, thermography cameras and other tools for the detection of heat loss or air infiltration in buildings.

How does Air Move Through a Building? A Quick Look at the Basic Forces of Building Air Movement

An understanding of air movement in buildings is essential when making checks for sources of common indoor air contaminants in buildings such as mold or allergens, or to understand un-wanted building heat loss or gain.

Here and in detailed articles whose links are found at the left of this page, we include expanded annotated information from the US EPA from whom we adapted the following: [5]

Our photo (left) shows the editor [DF] demonstrating air movement between rooms beneath a bedroom door, using a chemical smoke test gun.

Watch out: The toolbox for studying air movement, heat loss, airborne particle levels, gases or chemicals moving in buildings, is a large one, but tools and gadgets alone do not make a building expert, and worse, they might be used improperly giving misleading and unnecessarily expensive results use to "sell" treatments or "improvements" that might not be the best way to spend on improving building air quality or saving on building energy costs. Understanding the basics about air movement and appreciating the benefits of an expert visual inspection (see THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS) can help consumers guard against bad advice or superficial building studies. .

Air flow patterns in buildings are the result of combined forces from

mechanical ventilation systems such as warm air heat, air conditioning, exhaust fans, ventilation system blowers and fans
human activities in the building (breathing, cooking, using equipment)
natural effects (warm air rises, cool air falls)

Air Usually Moves "Up" in Buildings in a Chimney Effect

Generally in buildings warm air rises, carrying pollutants or odors and even small airborne particles such as asbestos (if present and friable and disturbed) or some small mold spores (Aspergillus sp. for example).

The taller the structure, and the greater the temperature differences between levels, the stronger may be this "upwards" airflow movement. In high rise buildings the upwards air currents in stairways, elevator shafts, and other areas can be enormous, and may be still stronger when windows are opened or exhaust fans operated on upper floors.

Our photo (left) illustrates a strong air flow out through an open window at the top floor of a Manhattan office building. We [DF] taped a tissue to the window sash bottom (red arrow) to demonstrate the airflow to the office management.
Air infiltration leaks at lower levels (or deliberate fresh air intake vents) in a building permit make-up air to enter the structure so that this air movement may be continuous. See AIR BYPASS LEAKS and AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
Air exhaust openings (such as attic ridge vents or other roof vents) in the upper levels or attic or roof of a building increase this chimney effect.

Air Movement may be "Down" in Buildings

But air movement in buildings can be tricky and may move in un-expected directions. For example:

Cooling the air in an upper floor room in a warm building may generate downwards movement of air in the building
Use of exhaust fans can reverse the usual direction of air movement in a building, for example operating window fans or other exhaust fans that are blowing "out" on lower floors

The Direction of Air Movement Can Change Significantly & Quickly in Buildings

Opening or closing doors and windows will affect building air movement and depending on which windows or doors are opened, the effects can be dramatic.
Operation of elevators in buildings can reverse airflow and the direction of movement of airborne particles, gases, or odors between upper and lower building areas every time the elevator car makes a trip up (sucking up air from lower floors) or down (pushing a column of air out from upper levels down through lower floors) the elevator shaft.
And in tight buildings, closing the door to a small boiler or furnace room, for example, can cause the equipment to lack adequate combustion air. (See COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS).

Small Openings in Buildings can Move Large Volumes of Air & Pollutants

These air pressure differences and air movements in buildings readily move particles, gases, and odors between building areas through both large openings (windows, doors, stairways, elevator shafts, ductwork), and tiny openings (gaps and cracks in framing, openings around electrical wires, pipes, ducts).

What surprises those unfamiliar with building air movement and indoor air pollution studies, is that the myriad of tiny openings in buildings can permit significant levels of air and particle or contaminant movement between building areas even when there are not large obvious holes or "windows" between the spaces.

How do I Become A House Doctor [a building doctor for energy surveys or indoor air quality or for other building problems]?

A "house doctor" as we use the term here is an expert building consultant who understands building science, how air moves through a building, how buildings are actually constructed (and what goes wrong), heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and building insulation systems, standards, and good practices.

And, if that's not enough, also how to use an occupant interview, thorough visual inspection of the building, and special tools and equipment (HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS) to diagnose and describe repairs or changes necessary for a wide range of building complaints such as indoor air quality, mold contamination, heating costs, cooling costs, odors, leaks, and problems with the structure and/or its mechanical systems. Also see THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY.

Photo at page top is discussed at Basement Energy Losses- IR & Visual. The accompanying text are reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Readers should see AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS. Also see ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings. And for an example of visual clues that identify building air leaks and heat loss with no instruments whatsoever, see Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

The question-and-answer article below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

Details about how to use thermal imaging and the sources of error or even abuse and misue of the equipment are found at THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY

Information on Becoming a House Doctor for Energy Surveys, Air Leaks, Heat Loss Diagnosis & Repair

Question:

Where can I get information on how to get started in house doctoring and find sources for house doctoring equipment? - Phil Kalvelage, Dubuque, IA

Answer:

Critical House Doctor Education & Building Inspection Courses

First, study basic building science, how buildings work, how air moves in buildings, where air, moisture, and water leaks occur, how buildings are constructed, how and where insulation, caulking, sealants, are used, and how buildings wear or deteriorate over their lives.

You will need to know good new construction practices and building energy codes, and also you will need to know how older buildings were constructed and where errors were commonly made in the building envelope and insulation system as well as where leaks and other damage cause changes in how a building works.

Courses on home inspection are offered by independent home inspection schools and by various trade and professional associations. See Home Inspector Education and also the articles listed beginning at HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS - see detailed links at page top & left.

House-doctor franchises are available through Princeton Energy Partners [Princeton NY] and other energy auditing firms such as Watt Count [Franklin TN]. Watt Count supplies certain equipment, marketing, training, and evaluation of testing and a guarantee to customers. A Watt Count franchise in 1986 cost between $20,000. and $50,000, depending on the territory. [Take a look at Home Inspection Company Franchises for some related concerns and franchise pros and cons.]

Products, tools and marketing support services for house doctoring (or "building doctors and building doctoring") are also offered by Retrotech USA, Inc. (Indianapolis IN) and Enercorp [Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada].

Many manufacturers sell specific tools and products used in the house-doctoring approach. You can find building doctor products listed in several building products guides and catalogs as well as sold by home inspection equipment supply companies.

House Doctor Tools for Air Leaks, Energy Loss Detection & Measurement

See AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS and see detailed links under that heading at Related Topics .

Ongoing House Doctor Education, Field Studies, Reports, Magazine Articles

Also learn all you can about what house doctoring is and how it works through magazine articles such as those we list beginning at ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings. See detailedlinks listed at Related Topics . Also see House Doctors with Better Medicine" (Solar Age 9/84 p. 27.)

Thermography Education and Training for Building Inspectors

Photograph of this overheating and improperly-made aluminum to copper pigtail splice.

Also see THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY for detailed advice on using & becoming trained in the use of thermal imaging equipment.

The photos above illustrate detection of overheating aluminum electrical wiring. Readers wishing training on use of thermography, IR or infra red equipment, for building surveys or other applications, should also contact the Institute of Infrared Thermography.

Swedish-based AGA Infrared Systems AB was [in 1984] the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of infrared scanning equipment. In the 1980's the top-of-the-line Model 782 cost around $32,000 and had many features. The hand-held AGA model used by PEP and described in House Doctors with Better Medicine cost (in 1984) $12,500. In the 1980's Inframetrics also produced hand-held thermal scanners in the U.S.
Currently and for some time we (DF) have made extensive use of a non-imaging low-price, small hand-held IR scanner provided by Exergen - a device costing less than $1000.
FLIR Thermography - produces IR cameras and scanners

The question-and-answer article about sources and use of infrared thermal scanners and heat loss detection equipment, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss..

Where to Buy IR & Thermography Equipment

Infra Red Inspection Equipment, temperature, heat loss, active leak detection, moisture investigations - Equipment Suppliers

AGA Infrared Systems, 550 County Ave., Seacaucus NJ 08094. Here is a general product brochure from AGA (minor edits),
History: the AGA Thermovision 750 was produced in the 1970's and was the first individually portable thermography system to reach the market. Here is the AGA Thermovision 750 operating manual from AGA. A used AGA Agema Thermovision 880 800 Infrared Camera Sys FLIR might be purchased typically (2010) for around $2000.
Warning: looking for information about AGA will trip up readers whose web searches will find the American Gas Association AGA. AGA Infrared Systems AB [ca 1981] was a member of the Pharos Group, manufacturer of a complete range of thermal measurement systems, with subsidiaries worldwide.

Headquarters: AGA Infrared Systems AB, S-182 11 Danderyd, Sweden
Canada: AGAtronics Ltd., 5230 South Service Rd. Suite 125, Burlington Ontario L7L 5K2
United States: AGA Corporation, PO Box 721, 60 Chapin Rd., Pine Brook NJ 07058
West Germany: AGA Optronik GmbH, Zimmersmuthlenweg 40, D-6370, Oberursel/T

Exergen Corporation, portable infra red scanners, 400 Pleasant St. Watertown, MA 02472, 1-800-422-3006 617-923-9900 Fax : 617-923-9911
Inframetrics Inc., hand held thermal scanners, 25 Wiggins Ave., Bedford Mass, also available from Hughes Aircraft, El Segundo, CA.
Institute of Infrared Thermography, (the company's website does not provide their mailing address nor telephone number). info@infraredinstitute.com
Imaging Systems Inspection Equipment Inc. - 323 Andover Street - Wilmington, MA 01887 [focused on electronics and semiconductor placement systems, not building heat loss/IR thermography for general use]
FLIR Thermography manufacturer of infrared cameras, thermography testing equipment, and thermal imaging cameras. FLIR provides infrared software as well as infrared training and support

Asia Pacific: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Co., Ltd. Asia Pacific Head Office, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2792 8955
United States: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information: FLIR Systems, America's Main Office, USA
Boston, MA Tel: 1-800-GO-INFRA (464-6372) or 1-978-901-8000
Canada: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Ltd., Canada's Main Office, Burlington, ON Tel: 1-800-613
Europe: FLIR Systems International Main Office, Sweden Tel: +46 (0)8 753 25 00
Latin America: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Latin America, Sorocaba, Brazil, Tel: +55 15 3238 8075
FLIR offers this comment on use of infrared for building diagnostics:

The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below was preceded by an expanded/updated online version of this article.

"A Doctor in the House", Q&A on Getting Started in House Doctoring - original PDF version, use your browser's back button to return to this page. Solar Age Magazine, September 1986.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions & answers or comments about energy experts, house doctors, building diagnosticians

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Solar Age Magazine was the official publication of the American Solar Energy Society. The contemporary solar energy magazine associated with the Society is Solar Today. "Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. Leading for more than 50 years. ASES leads national efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event in the world."
Steve Bliss's Building Advisor at buildingadvisor.com helps homeowners & contractors plan & complete successful building & remodeling projects: buying land, site work, building design, cost estimating, materials & components, & project management through complete construction. Email: info@buildingadvisor.com
Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
[5] "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
[6] US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [ copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
[7] AGA Infrared Systems, 550 County Ave., Seacaucus NJ 08094. Here is a general product brochure from AGA (minor edits),
History: the AGA Thermovision 750 was produced in the 1970's and was the first individually portable thermography system to reach the market. Here is the AGA Thermovision 750 operating manual from AGA. A used AGA Agema Thermovision 880 800 Infrared Camera Sys FLIR might be purchased typically (2010) for around $2000.
Warning: looking for information about AGA will trip up readers whose web searches will find the American Gas Association AGA. AGA Infrared Systems AB [ca 1981] was a member of the Pharos Group, manufacturer of a complete range of thermal measurement systems, with subsidiaries worldwide.
- Headquarters: AGA Infrared Systems AB, S-182 11 Danderyd, Sweden
- Canada: AGAtronics Ltd., 5230 South Service Rd. Suite 125, Burlington Ontario L7L 5K2
- United States: AGA Corporation, PO Box 721, 60 Chapin Rd., Pine Brook NJ 07058
- West Germany: AGA Optronik GmbH, Zimmersmuthlenweg 40, D-6370, Oberursel/T
[8] Exergen Corporation, portable infra red scanners, 400 Pleasant St. Watertown, MA 02472, 1-800-422-3006 617-923-9900 Fax : 617-923-9911
[9] Inframetrics Inc., hand held thermal scanners, 25 Wiggins Ave., Bedford Mass, also available from Hughes Aircraft, El Segundo, CA.
[10] Institute of Infrared Thermography, (the company's website does not provide their mailing address nor telephone number). info@infraredinstitute.com Quoting from the Institute of Infrared Thermography's self-description:
[11] Imaging Systems Inspection Equipment Inc. - 323 Andover Street - Wilmington, MA 01887 [focused on electronics and semiconductor placement systems, not building heat loss/IR thermography for general use]
FLIR Thermography manufacturer of infrared cameras, thermography testing equipment, and thermal imaging cameras. FLIR provides infrared software as well as infrared training and support

Asia Pacific: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Co., Ltd. Asia Pacific Head Office, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2792 8955
United States: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information: FLIR Systems, America's Main Office, USA
Boston, MA Tel: 1-800-GO-INFRA (464-6372) or 1-978-901-8000
Canada: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Ltd., Canada's Main Office, Burlington, ON Tel: 1-800-613
Europe: FLIR Systems International Main Office, Sweden Tel: +46 (0)8 753 25 00
Latin America: FLIR Thermography Support & contact information:FLIR Systems Latin America, Sorocaba, Brazil, Tel: +55 15 3238 8075

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Official Website
Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
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