Analysis of airtightness performance of residential areas in Mediterranean climate: Balıkesir houses

Airtightness is one of the crucial physical characteristics of building envelope that affect the building thermal performance and energy consumption. The airtightness of the building is influenced by the quality of workmanship and various design parameters such as window/wall ratio, type of joinery, size of the usage area, wall material, and thermal insulation on the external wall. In this study aiming to determine the airtightness performance of buildings in the Mediterranean climate of Balıkesir houses, airtightness conditions of 43 different houses were determined by blower door test measurement. The air exchange rate (n₅₀) values of 43 houses/residences were obtained between 1.94 and 49.02 h⁻¹ and compared with the current various standards. The effect level of the design parameters on the air tightness of the building envelope was obtained as a result of the analysis performed with analysis of variance and post hoc methods. According to the analysis, joinery type was the most effective design parameter in terms of airtightness, followed by usage area and transparency of facades. The result will help in deciding on the design parameters affecting the airtightness of the building envelope for energy efficiency in the Mediterranean climate.