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Air Leakage Analysis from Blower Door Test Data: ACH50 Calculation and Method Comparison

Open Opened on June 17, 2025
Main contact
Building Resilience Corp.
Building Resilience Corp.
London, Ontario, Canada
Jonathan Linton
Jonathan Linton
Co-Founder
(2)
2
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Project
60 hours per learner
Learner
Anywhere
Intermediate level

Project scope

Categories
Data analysis Data modelling Environmental sustainability Mechanical engineering Software development
Skills
data analysis engineering calculations python (programming language) energy conservation applied mathematics performance modeling building science data visualization statistical analysis green building
Details

Project Description

In building performance testing, ACH50 (Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals) is a key metric used to evaluate a home's airtightness. This value is typically derived from standardized blower door testing procedures and calculated using specialized software such as NRCAN’s Hot2000, which includes proprietary calibration curves for equipment like the Retrotec 5000 fan (A-setting).

This project provides pre-collected blower door test data (including time-series pressure readings and a validated ACH50 value from Hot2000) and challenges students to analyze the data independently using Python. Students will apply a power-law regression to estimate airflow across various pressures, calculate ACH50 based on known house volume, and compare the accuracy of their result with the trusted benchmark.

The project further invites students to compare the results obtained using:

  • The full available pressure dataset (from OCR or supplied),
  • A reduced set of 6–8 equidistant pressure points between 15–50 Pa.

This real-world calibration exercise offers valuable insight into engineering accuracy, the role of instrumentation, and the importance of method selection.


Deliverables

Main Deliverables

  • A Python script or Jupyter Notebook that:
  • Ingests pressure vs. airflow data from a provided dataset
  • Applies power-law regression:
  • Computes airflow at 50 Pa and derives ACH50 using known house volume
  • Compares full vs. reduced dataset methods
  • Calculates error or deviation from Hot2000’s validated ACH50 result
  • Visual comparison (e.g., pressure vs. flow graphs, error bars)
  • Short technical summary (~1–2 pages) of findings and limitations
  • README file with code documentation and instructions

Optional Stretch Goals

  • Include environmental correction factor handling (e.g., baseline pressure)
  • Sensitivity analysis: test how ACH50 accuracy varies based on point selection

Student Skills Preferred

  • Python (pandas, numpy, scipy)
  • Curve fitting and data modeling
  • Data visualization (matplotlib, seaborn)
  • Understanding of engineering principles (formulas and context will be provided)

Student Experience Gained

  • Apply data science to real-world building diagnostics
  • Compare practical calculations with calibrated industry-standard tools (Hot2000)
  • Understand how assumptions and instrumentation affect engineering outcomes
  • Learn best practices in communicating technical findings

Important Notes

  • You will be provided with:
  • Retrotec 5000 fan configuration (A-setting)
  • A validated 8-point blower door test dataset
  • Hot2000 ACH50 result for comparison
  • House volume and supporting data
  • This is a comparative calibration and analysis project, not a software replication of Hot2000



Mentorship
Domain expertise and knowledge

Providing specialized knowledge in the project subject area, with industry context.

Skills, knowledge and expertise

Sharing knowledge in specific technical skills, techniques, methodologies required for the project.

Hands-on support

Direct involvement in project tasks, offering guidance, and demonstrating techniques.

Regular meetings

Scheduled check-ins to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback.

Supported causes

The global challenges this project addresses, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more about all 17 SDGs here.

Affordable and clean energy

About the company

Company
https://www.buildresil.com
London, Ontario, Canada
2 - 10 employees
Energy, Environment, Technology, Trade & international business, Clean technology
Representation
Community-Focused Small Business Sustainable/green Women-Owned

Building Resilience Corp. is a Canadian consultancy dedicated to helping organizations and communities navigate the complexities of energy efficiency, supply‐chain optimization, and regulatory compliance. Our multidisciplinary team combines decades of hands-on experience in engineering, procurement, and supply‐chain management to deliver tailored solutions that drive cost savings (often 20–30%+) and bolster operational resilience.

We specialize in:

Energy & Environmental Assessments: Conducting NRCAN- and ASHRAE-compliant audits, air-quality evaluations, and net-zero pathway development for residential, commercial, institutional, and Indigenous community projects.
Supply-Chain Design & Trade Compliance: Architecting lean, ESG-aligned procurement frameworks, direct‐sourcing strategies, and AI-driven HS-code classification tools to mitigate duty risk, optimize tariffs, and streamline logistics.
Government Funding & Incentives: Securing grants, loans, and rebates—ranging from thousands to millions of dollars—to underwrite energy-efficiency upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and resilience-building measures.
Our client-centric approach emphasizes hands-on mentoring, local capacity building, and transparent, data-driven decision-making. Whether you’re launching a pilot in social housing, scaling up renewable‐energy installations, or preparing for AI-powered customs inspections, Building Resilience delivers the expertise and strategic insight you need to thrive in today’s high-risk trade and energy landscape.