• Why is it important to test air tightness?
  
  There are several reasons why this should be done. First of all, it reduces energy consumption due to air leakage. If your home is not leaking air, you reduce heating and cooling costs through proper insulation and air sealing techniques. These techniques will also make your home more comfortable.
  
  

It helps the homeowner avoid moisture condensation problems. Excess moisture in a home can generate high humidity levels. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth and structural damage to your home. This is can get very costly to remediate. The small investment it takes to inspect this area pales in comparison to the cost of mold remediation.

Avoid air pollution. Although there's no way to control the outside air; however, we can still control our indoor air quality. Homes need to proper ventilation-the exchange of indoor air with outdoor air-to reduce indoor pollutants, moisture, and odors. Contaminants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and radon can accumulate in poorly ventilated homes, causing health problems.

• Why would someone invest in building an energy-efficient home if it costs considerably more to build?
  
  As energy costs continue rising, so will the return on your investment. In other words, the homeowner may have to invest more for the energy-efficient products; however, they will recoup their expense with the savings over the following years by saving on their utility bills. Homeowners that don't choose an energy-efficient unit will end-up paying more in the long-run due to poor insulation, thus higher cooling and heating cost.