Zone Pressure Diagnostics: Precise Leak Detection and Measurement in Buildings
About this course
The free calculation aid from Residential Energy Dynamics (RED) is the most accurate and easy to use ZPD tool available. This course addresses the ZPD basics to the advanced features. Learn about non-modifiable and modifiable zone analysis, the use of your digital manometer for ZPD testing, and the meaning of your results.
This course includes the latest ZPD methods and includes the most significant articles written about this building science technique. The two-part video presentation, narrated by the instructor, addresses all the ZPD principles and details, including the use of the RED ZPD tool.
Learning Objectives:
• List reasons for performing ZPD in the field, both modifiable and non-modifiable analysis
• List the tools needed to perform ZPD
• Explain how to conduct a modifiable ZPD test to an attic, attached garage, or basement
• Discuss the results of modifiable zone analysis, including flow at CFM50 and area of leakage in each pressure boundary
• Understand ZPD targets used by weatherization programs
• Describe how additional attic venting can increase the whole-house CFM50 value
• Calculate the effective area of attic venting using ZPD, not your tape measure
• Identify when the pressure and thermal boundaries in a house are aligned
• Know the disadvantages of non-modifiable zone analysis
• Determine when air sealing work has been effective
• Understand how to use ZPD for Quality Control Inspections
Course outline
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Zone Pressure Diagnostics: Precise Leak Detection and Measurement in Buildings
- User-Friendly Pressure Diagnostics. Jim Fitzgerald, Rob Nevitt, and Michael Blasnik. Home Energy magazine, September/October 1994. (.pdf)
- Zone Pressure Diagnostics: A new protocol shows how to make a valuable diagnostic test even more useful. Dave Bohac. Home Energy magazine, May 2002.
- Zone Pressure Diagnostics, Part 1 of 2 (37:08 minutes)
- Zone Pressure Diagnostics, Part 2 of 2 (49:46 minutes)
- The Benefits of Zone Pressure Diagnostics
- An Investigation into Zone Pressure Diagnostic Protocols for Low Income Weatherization Crews. Report 208-1. December 2001. Energy Center of Wisconsin.
- Final Quiz (10 questions)
Author
Rick Karg
Rick spent ten years building houses, taught college economics, helped design one of the first energy modeling programs, managed the Maine Home Performance Program, and has been training utility staff, low-income weatherization personnel, and private energy auditors and contractors for over three decades. He has been a member of the ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation committee...
