Our work at BRE has shown huge variation in the air leakage of new homes.
This variability undermines much of the improvements in standards of recent years, and must be addressed.

Pressure-testing is not a particularly onerous test and would help to increase build quality and develop more stringent standards in the future. Improving the airtightness characteristics of new (or even existing) dwellings provides immediate benefits both to the environment in terms of reduced energy consumption, and to the occupants, with cheaper annual running costs and reduced draughts.

BRE feels that by not making pressure-testing compulsory, an opportunity could be lost to significantly improve the energy performance and reduce the environmental impact of new dwellings.

Postscript

Kevin Boniface, senior consultant, Housing Centre, BRE