We are excited to be opening early registration for a whole new service in addition to our thermal imaging surveys
As Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts, we have been serving Bristol and surrounds for 10 years, helping people to visualise heat loss and pinpoint causes of cold at home, so that they can plan to fix them. We have done this exclusively with thermal imaging but now are thrilled to be expanding with airtightness testing using Pulse equipment.
This new service complements our popular Heatview® thermal imaging surveys and gives you a clearer, more complete picture of how your home performs when it comes to heat retention and energy efficiency.
Scroll straight to the bottom of the page to register your interest, or read on to find out more.
What is airtightness and background ventilation testing?
Pulse testing is a way to measure how much air leaks in and out of your home, through gaps, cracks, or poorly sealed openings. Think of it as asking, “How leaky is my home?” and getting a measurable answer.
We’ll be using the latest Pulse testing equipment, a cutting-edge technology that gently pulses air into your home and measures pressure changes with extreme precision. This gives us quantitative data, meaning reliable, numerical results that help you understand your home’s air leakage rate in comparison to industry standards.
How is this different from thermal imaging?
You may already be familiar with our Heatview® thermal imaging surveys, which show where your home is losing heat. These provide qualitative data, or powerful visual insights that help you see the problem and provide you with images and video to keep and use for planning and communicating about improvements.
Airtightness or background ventilation testing answers a different question: “How much air (and potentially heat) is escaping?”
When combined, these two tests provide a comprehensive understanding of your home’s energy performance:
- Thermal imaging = Where is my house losing heat?
- Pulse testing = How much am I losing through air leakage?
Why is airtightness important?
Many people think draughts are simply annoying, but they’re also a major source of heat loss. Draughts are also uncontrolled, unlike proper ventilation, which is designed to move air in a healthy, efficient way.
Uncontrolled air leakage can lead to:
- Increased heating bills
- Uncomfortable cold spots
- Condensation and damp issues
- Poor indoor air quality
Improving airtightness, with proper controlled ventilation, can lead to warmer homes, lower energy use, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Can you do Pulse testing in summer?
Yes, and that’s one of the big advantages. While thermal imaging relies on cold weather to show temperature differences, Pulse testing is season-independent. This means we can offer it year-round.
Who Is This For?
Airtightness or background ventilation testing is ideal for:
- Households interested in reducing energy bills
- People planning insulation or retrofit work
- Builders or renovators who need building control signoff
- Anyone who’s had a thermal survey and wants a measurable follow-up
- Before and after comparisons of works
- People who want to improve their EPC
- Those struggling with fuel poverty who would like to request a free survey
Where airtightness testing is a legal requirement for new builds and for some large extensions, and CHEESE will have capacity and pricing for those seeking certified tests.
When can I book and what will it cost?
Booking will go live in Autumn 2025, alongside the reopening of our thermal imaging season. Pricing will be announced then, but here’s what you can expect:
- Pulse testing alone will take less time than a Heatview® survey, and this will be reflected in the price.
- Bundle options will be available, and we strongly encourage customers to consider both services for the best overall insight into their home’s performance.
- Just like with our thermal surveys, we are able to offer a limited number of Pulse tests for free to those in fuel poverty or vulnerable persons. Contact us directly if you would like to apply for a free survey.
Register your interest in our Pulse testing service here
To be given priority in the booking queue, leave your details here and we will be in touch as soon as appointments open.
