Archives: Glossary

  • Background Ventilation

    Low-level ventilation, usually through trickle vents or wall vents, that helps provide fresh air and manage moisture.

  • Asbestos Check

    A safety check to identify materials that may contain asbestos before retrofit works are carried out.

  • Assessment

    A detailed inspection of a property to understand its current condition, energy performance, heating systems, insulation, ventilation and retrofit suitability.

  • Ambient Temperature

    The surrounding air temperature. In heating, this often means the outside air temperature.

  • Air Tightness Test

    A pressure test used to measure how leaky a building is. A fan is usually fitted into a doorway to pressurise or depressurise the property.

  • Air Tightness

    How well a building prevents uncontrolled draughts and air leakage. Good airtightness helps reduce heat loss but must be balanced with suitable ventilation.

  • Air Source Heat Pump

    A low-carbon heating system that takes heat from the outside air and upgrades it to heat the home and hot water.

  • Air Permeability

    A measure of how much air leaks through the gaps and cracks in a building. Lower air permeability usually means a more airtight home.

  • Air Changes per Hour

    The number of times the air inside a room or building is replaced in one hour. It is used when looking at ventilation, air quality and heat loss.