Building HVAC Science

Show notes AirQuest 3 In this episode, Bill Spohn continues where he left off in Episode 2 of his AirQuest series, discussing airflow measuring methods and techniques. Bill Covers the TrueFlow measuring grid, air flow capture hoods and thermal (hot wire) anemometers. For a 4 part video lesson by Bill, start with lesson one on YouTube, at this link: http://bit.ly/AirFlowVideos If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Bill at [email protected]

Today Ed Kisiel of EKABuild Corp. joins us to discuss the way he goes about constructing super tight homes using standard construction techniques. Ed describes his process and his respect for the House as a System concept: that is the envelope, mechanicals and architectural design all need to work together in harmony. He's an open minded civil engineer turned builder who has a thirst for learning more about building science, building materials and modes of construction. Some of Ed's favorite resources include Matt Risinger (www.youtube.com/user/MattRisinger), Allison Bailles (www.energyvanguard.com), Green Building Advisor (www.greenbuildingadvisor.com) and Joe Lstiburek (www.buildingscience.com). If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Ed via his website www.EKABuild.com

Bryan Barnes of Aeroseal, LLC joins us today to discuss two revolutionary technologies that greatly impact Building Performance: AeroSeal for sealing ducts from the inside out and AeroBarrier for sealing a building enclosure in the same manner. We hear about the science behind Aeroseal and the dramatic performance increases in comfort, energy and the health of the environment. Their smart-liquid sealant turns into an aerosol in their machine and actual finds and seals holes and gaps up to ⅝" in stated performance, yet larger holes have been sealed. If you're an HVAC contractor, consider AeroSeal to make you customers more comfortable with far less time & labor in duct sealing in retrofit work allowing you to reach buried ducts. It's also a time saver in new construction duct sealing, too. If you're a builder, consider what AeroBarrier can do minimize the air changes of the envelope you are building to meet and exceed any existing or anticipated energy codes. If you are interested in learning more, or becoming a dealer of these highly differentiating products, go to www.AeroSeal.com or www.AeroBarrier.com or email our guest Bryan at [email protected]

In this episode Bill chats with Ted Kidd and Nate Adams, two people who share an extreme passion for making better home performance the norm and not the exception. Our conversation gets tough on state energy programs, utility-based programs as well as BPI where we develop out the pros and cons. You can learn more about their aspirations and get some great tools and free resources by visiting www.NateTheHouseWhisperer.com You can reach Ted through Nate by emailing at [email protected] or calling Nate at +1-330-524-6495. They have written a easy reading, attractively produced, comprehensive book which you can find by searching for "The Home Comfort Book".

In today's episode, Terje Gronas tells us about his 2-year struggle to get the healthy, comfortable and energy efficient home he wanted for his family. He discusses the heavy study and personal interventions he had to make to get what he wanted and paid a premium for. "T" talks about the big picture for contractors and techs: the air in a home can greatly affect you're families health and even, perhaps, health care costs overall. As more and more technicians take pride and care in their work, Terje believes you can have a net positive impact on families and in a cumulative sense, society. He has built a Facebook page to share his journey; search for "Energy Star Homes, The Horrors"

On today's show, Bill welcomes Matt Rivers from Onset Computer, manufacturer of the world famous line of Hobo Data Loggers. Matt describes their three main markets: Indoor, Outdoor (Weather) and Water Quality. We hear of the long list of parameters that can be logged that allow technicians, engineers and researchers to collect meaningful time stamped data to do better work. Also discussed is the positive impact of BlueTooth connections, cloud-based data services as well as cellular and gateways for remote, real time monitoring. With loggers starting at under $50, everyone has a chance at improving their game with data. More info at www.OnSetComp.com or to purchase www.TruTechTools.com/Hobo

Today we learn about how Amanda Hatherly has morphed the traditional approaches of technical training into something much more interactive and interesting. Over the last 8 years she helped to develop the Energy Smart Academy at the Santa Fe (New Mexico) Community College. She described some really cool online tools that help people understand the invisible and confusing aspects of heat and moisture flow in a building. Check them out for free at www.SimBuilding.info You can connect with Amanda by filling out the contact form at www.EnergySmartAcademy.info or emailing her at [email protected] Learn more about the accrediting body for her program at IREC at https://irecusa.org/

Bryan Orr and Bill Spohn spent 3 busy days learning, listening and absorbing the vibe at the world's largest HVACR trade show, the AHR Expo which took place in Chicago at the end of January 2018. Come walk the auditory aisles with these two friendly nerds and see where the market is headed as a whole and with specific products.

On this episode, Bill Spohn welcomes Bethany Profaizer and Amy Beley from Pearl Certification (www.PearlCertification.com). Pearl has created a unique and very cost effective, third party certification for the major "invisible" elements of a home: building shell (or envelope), HVAC/mechanical systems, energy baseload, home management and photovoltaic (PV) solar. Contractors actively working in any of these are disciplines are eligible to apply. Now active in 6 states and the District of Columbia, Pearl is partnering with new contractors and real estate professionals from across the country every day. Unlike other programs, there is no pre-qualification necessary for the home. Pearl has worked hard to create a system that integrates with contractor's sales and work systems, while providing a tangible record of the value for the home owner and real estate world. If you're a contractor who wants to get a lasting record (it stays with the property) that recognizes your good work, contact Pearl. Your customers will like the fact that they can get documented credit for your work when they go to sell. A third-party study found Pearl Certified Homes are getting 2-10% better prices to comparable non-certified homes. To learn more about becoming a Pearl Partner, contact Bethany at [email protected]

Joe has worked for for CLEAResult (www.CLEAResult.com ) for over 10 years. His company is a fast growing, highly focused implementer of utility-based energy savings programs. Joe discusses the ins and outs of building an energy savings program for a utility, especially those aspects that involve HVAC and building performance contractors. Joe mentions the Home Performance Coalition's conferences as a great place to learn and network (www.homeperformance.org/conferences/). He also discusses inspirational training he received from John Tooley (www.linkedin.com/in/john-tooley-37a89210/ ) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/). Joe also notes the related aspects of the RESNET organization and conference (www.RESNET.us). And here's a link to a photo of the tree house that Joe built around a centuries old tree in his yard : www.bit.ly/Joe-TreeHouse Here is a link to more photos from his TreeHouse project: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fbnTeci0zaEN5oL1A0-zOGtwbhywoq6o?usp=sharing

Today we talk with Marko Bruinsma, President of Testo, inc. Marko gives us an overview of how his background from destructive testing in labs, to work with rockets and propellants to repping instrumentation shaped his career and lead to his current leadership role with testo. We also learn about the history of testo, the worldwide scope of the organization and the breadth of product lines – some lines that all listeners may not be aware of. Some handy links from the conversation: Email testo at [email protected] OR call them at 1-800-227-0729 (US and Canada) Visit their website at www.testo.com Review their US calibration lab at: www.bit.ly/testo-cal AHRI Standard 1260 for combustion analyzers: www.bit.ly/AHRI-1260 Stop by and meet Marko in person at the testo booth, # 7365, at the AHR expo in Chicago in January 2018: www.ahrexpo.com/

Today Bill speaks with JWest, a building performance practitioner and educator. J can be reached at [email protected] (his consulting business) or at [email protected] (the community action agency in Chicago that he works for as Training Director.) We learn about The House at Cornell Tech Center on Roosevelt Island near NY City, which is the tallest and largest residential Passive House high-rise in the world. J discusses the HabitatX Conference as something listeners should investigate (www.HabitatX.com) He also discussed Passive House Concepts: you can learn more at http://www.phius.org/home-page or http://naphnetwork.org/

Today Bill speaks with Gary Reecher, a dedicated HVAC/R technician from day one. Gary discusses how his background in the US Air Force as an Environmental Systems Technician helped shaped his interest and approach to HVAC/R. Gary is very active in the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (www.RSES.org) and encourages listeners to look at attending a local, regional or national meeting, subscribing to the journal or looking at the excellent training books and webinars that they produce. Gary discussed the industry shortage of technicians and installers, and more importantly instructors. He encourages listeners to get involved if able and interested. Contact your local tech school and consider joining the advisory board, if nothing else. Gary is also involved with Skills USA (www.skillsusa.org ) which is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Gary's favorite online group is the www.HVACRSchool.com, their daily tech tips and their associated FaceBook page. Gary also supports the work of the Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (www.carehvac.org). Gary continues to help the industry in ways small even though he is well past retirement.

Today Bill speaks with Griffin Hagle, Weatherization Manager of the North Slope Borough in Barrow (Utqiagvik), Alaska. Griffin discusses what lead him to live and work above the arctic circle, as well as some of the challenges and rewards in doing so. In the show Griffin mentions the HabitatX Conference (www.HabitatX.com) and an article on the unhealthy air in rural Alaska homes, featuring the work of Griffin's friend and collaborator, AJ Salkoski, who works with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in Anchorage: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2017/08/06/unhealthy-air-in-rural-alaska-homes-targeted-in-tribal-program/

Today's guest is Larry Zarker, CEO of BPI, the Building Performance Institute. BPI is the nation's premier organization for certification and standards-setting for home performance professionals. You will find them on the web at www.BPI.org which is also the site for building performance professionals. The BPI standards for home performance work can be found at www.bpi.org/standards. There is a separate site for homeowners at www.bpihomeowner.org with a blog for consumers found here: http://www.bpihomeowner.org/blog Everyone is welcomed to take the home quiz to see what savings building performance is available. Just type in your US street address! www.bpihomeowner.org/take-home-quiz We discussed the consumer trend towards an interest in Healthy Homes and noted the new BPI Healthy Home Evaluator Credentials (www.bpi.org/certified-professionals/healthy-home-evaluator) as well as the new organization support them called The Healthy Home Environment Association (www.myhhea.org ) Larry noted the key conferences to attend are those from the multifaceted Home Performance Coalition: www.homeperformance.org/ including the main conference coming up in April 2108 in Philadelphia, for info on that go here: www.homeperformance.org/conferences/HPC18

Today we interviewed Steve Baden the founder and present day executive director of RESNET: The Residential Energy Services Network. There are now 2 million US homes that are energy rated from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Listen to Steve discuss his background and motivations for starting RESNET, a home energy rating system that benefits consumers and builders. There is also good potential for enterprising HVAC Contractors who might add home energy rating on to their business. Links to topics discussed in the episode: RESNET's consumer facing website: www.RESNET.us RESNET's website for Professionals: www.resnet.us/professional Info on RESNET's annual conference, coming up in Orlando Feb 26-28, 2018: www.conference.resnet.us/ (Bill Spohn will be presenting on 3 topics at this event.) Link to the RESNET Standards mentioned in the podcast: www.resnet.us/professional/standards The ANSI/ Air Conditioning Contractors of American (ACCA), HVAC Quality installation standard, QI-5 You'll find several standards at this link: www.acca.org/standards/quality NREL: The National Renewable Energy Lab: www.nrel.gov/

In AirQuest part 2 Bill shares his depth of knowledge on airflow and measuring airflow including mass flow rate, CFM and much more..

In AirQuest part 1 Bill shares his depth of knowledge on airflow and measuring airflow including mass flow rate, CFM and much more..

It takes more than a good HVAC system to deliver comfort. In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, Bill Spohn speaks with Robert Bean about the science of true human comfort. Some of his concepts are brutally logical and may cause you to rethink your approach to selling or delivering comfort. Find out what he calls "the pet rock" of construction. Robert is a seasoned technologist, researcher and construction professional whose mantra is "Design for People; Good Buildings Will Follow." Listen to his perspectives on code grade construction versus construction that delivers full environmental comfort. He states that a key element is to learn the language of comfort before exploring too far. Robert will dialog with you for free via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbeanret/. For LOADS of resources and to inquire about his consultant services, reach him at www.healthyheating.com/ Other resources referred to: His 5-page article covering key points of his concepts: https://view.imirus.com/1166/document/12309/page/8 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2017 and User Manual, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, www.ASHRAE.org ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, http://www.ashrae.org/ ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2-2007 -- Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings, http://www.ashrae.org/ CBE Comfort Tool, Center for the Built Environment: http://comfort.cbe.berkeley.edu/ Cardinal Glass Tool: http://www.cardinalcorp.com/technology/applications/energy-calculator/ Positive Energy, leaders in the application of human factored building science™, https://positiveenergy.pro/ EnergyDocs, a leading Home Performance Company, http://energydocs.net/ Matt Risinger, Risinger Fine Home Building, https://www.youtube.com/user/MattRisinger, http://mattrisinger.com/

Bill covers applications for infrared thermometers, how they can be effectively used, how they work and some common mistakes to avoid.

Nate Adams from Energy Smart Ohio joins Bill on the podcast and talks Indoor Air Quality and Humidity Control in Homes.

In this episode Bill introduces the podcast and what it is all about by dropping some huge knowledge bombs about building science for HVAC professionals. HVAC overview book mentioned: HVAC 1.0 Available for purchase at TruTechTools https://www.trutechtools.com/HVAC1 Get $5 off using coupon code "bookme" ACCA QI5: Quality HVAC Installation Specification for Residential and Commercial HVAC Applications Available free at http://bit.ly/ACCA-QI5 AHRI 1260 Standard for Performance Rating of Portable Flue Gas Combustion Analyzers Available free at http://bit.ly/AHRI-1260