This video provides a final walkthrough and an updated blower door test for the "Modest House," a custom-built home by RR Buildings. Initially, after the completion of the air control layer, the house achieved an impressive 0.39 AC50 in a blower door test. However, following the work of various subcontractors (drywall, painting, mechanicals), a new test shows the house's air leakage has increased to 1.8 AC50. When the garage is included, the combined reading is 2.37 AC50. The video attributes this increase to unsealed penetrations made by HVAC ducts, plumbing lines, bathroom vents, a dryer vent, and the attic access. Despite this degradation from the initial ideal, the final result remains significantly below the code requirement of 3 AC50, underscoring the home's high energy efficiency. The video also features a detailed tour of the completed interior spaces, including the kitchen, living room, master suite, additional bedrooms and office, bathrooms, and laundry room, before showcasing the well-appointed and aesthetically pleasing garage.
Exploring the "Modest House": Final Blower Door Test and Walkthrough
0:00 Introduction & Blower Door Objective: Kyle from RR Buildings introduces the "Modest House" and the purpose of the final blower door test. The initial test after the air control layer showed an excellent 0.39 AC50, and they anticipate a higher number due to subsequent trade work.
1:37 Post-Construction Blower Door Reading (House Only): The current blower door test reveals an AC50 reading of approximately 1.8 for the house. While a notable increase from the initial 0.39, it's still significantly better than the 3 AC50 building code requirement.
1:54 Identified Air Leakage Sources: Several areas are identified as contributors to the increased air leakage:
1:59 HVAC Ducts: Air movement is felt at returns, indicating leaks where ducts exit the air control layer into the attic space.
3:25 Plumbing Sleeves: Unsealed sleeves where water lines pass through concrete to the exterior are noted as potential leak points.
4:10 Bathroom Vents: The housings of three bathroom vents are outside the air control layer, causing leakage. A suggestion for future builds is to drop bathroom ceilings to enclose these vents within the layer.
4:50 Dryer Vent: An unsealed dryer vent with a "chintzy plastic dampener" contributes to air ingress.
5:05 Attic Access: A simple, unsealed drywall panel currently serving as the attic access is another source of leakage.
5:30 Key Takeaway on Construction Management: The experience underscores the challenge of maintaining air tightness when multiple subcontractors work on a project without direct oversight of every detail. Despite the increase, the home remains very energy efficient.
7:17 House Interior Tour - Kitchen & Living Space: The walkthrough highlights the kitchen with an island and eat-at counter, designed without a formal dining room, and the adjacent common living area.
8:10 Master Suite Features: The spacious master bedroom (roughly 16x16 ft) is shown, alongside a large master bathroom featuring a zero-clearance stamped concrete shower floor and a massive walk-in closet.
9:50 Additional Bedrooms & Flexible Office Space: Two additional bedrooms are presented. One of these is designed to double as an office with a desk hidden behind bifold doors. Each secondary bedroom also includes its own full en-suite bathroom, featuring sloped drains and future onyx walls in the showers.
12:25 Laundry Room: The tour concludes the interior with a look at the laundry room, equipped with cabinets, a vanity, and washer/dryer hookups.
12:44 Garage Blower Door Test & Design: The blower door test is extended to include the 36x48 ft garage, resulting in a combined AC50 of 2.37. Significant leakage is observed around the garage doors, partly attributed to jack shaft operators. The garage boasts a clean aesthetic with surface-mounted, painted electrical conduit, black fans, and black trim elements.
16:29 Concluding Reflections & Resource Availability: Kyle expresses satisfaction with the overall project and the insights gained regarding construction processes and subcontractor management. Plans for the "Modest House" and other projects are available for purchase online.