Learn more about advanced building science topics with the free webinars below. The topics focus on ventilation, conditioned crawlspaces, ducted mechanicals and insulated rooflines.
Define conduction and explore how it contributes to heat loss (and gain) in homes. Demonstrate how to do simple conduction calculations, included weighted U-value. Illustrate how deficiencies in the thermal barrier contribute to heat transfer.
Outline the drivers of air leakage in a home. Identify the air barrier and demonstrate how it stops unwanted air movement in a home. Illustrate diagnostic techniques used in the field to identify and quantify air leakage. Recommend air sealing techniques to minimize air leakage in a home.
Identify methods of moisture transport. Contrast diffusion and infiltration. Illustrate details to improve existing moisture problems. Use psychrometric charts to better understand relative humidity.
Outline the key issues and challenges that affect insulation performance. Compare and contrast the “original” RESNET grading system with the new ANSI/RESNET/IECC system. Illustrate “Passing Grade” requirement of 2020 Georgia Energy Code. Assess grading of insulation pictures.
This webinar will help place ventilation into the larger concept of addressing pollutants and indoor air quality (IAQ). We’ll cover how traditional methods of ventilation have been accomplished and outline historical ventilation rates. Lastly, we’ll compare the ventilation rates determined from today’s building codes as well as ASHRAE 62.2 standards (including the often used 2016 version) and demonstrate how to calculate ventilation rates using current standards.
This webinar applies concepts learned in Part 1 of the series and will apply those concepts to whole-house ventilation. Methods and techniques for providing fresh air into homes will be presented and discussed with a focus on Hot/Mixed Humid climates. Southface will share recent research results from a study of new home ERV operations in a humid climate (Charleston SC).
This webinar is intended for professionals in the home performance industry and designers and builders of new homes. We will provide an overview of building science as it applies to this particular type of foundation. Participants will learn about moisture movement and the building thermal envelope and will apply this knowledge to crawlspace encapsulation. We will demonstrate best practices using real world examples from new construction and retrofit projects
This webinar is intended for professionals in HVAC and home performance industries as well as designers and builders of new homes. We will provide an overview of building science with a focus on convection and air leakage. We will present an overview of the process for designing a proper mechanical system. Participants will apply this knowledge to duct design and installation. We’ll also address how to assess and improve an existing home’s ducted system. We will augment training with helpful diagrams and pictures from field inspections.
This webinar is intended for professionals in the home performance industry and designers and builders of new homes. We will provide an overview of building science with a focus on the building thermal envelope. Participants will apply this knowledge to applications such as vaulted ceilings and conditioned attics, applications where the thermal boundary is located along the insulated roofline. We will review how the current energy code recognizes insulated rooflines. We will also hear from a supplier of spray foam insulation.
This webinar is intended for professionals in the home performance industry and HVAC as well as designers and builders of new homes. We will provide an overview of building science with a focus on the “house as a system approach.” Participants will apply this knowledge to combustion equipment in the home. We will learn about carbon monoxide and its effects on the body. We will illustrate how minor design choices in a home can have major impacts on how well combustion equipment performs.
This webinar is intended for professionals in HVAC and home performance industries as well as designers and builders of new homes. We will provide a quick overview of building science with a focus on heat transfer. Participants will apply this knowledge to HVAC load calculations and design. We will provide an overview of Manual J and S and briefly introduce ACCA’s new manual for low-load homes. The webinar will provide guidance to participants so that they avoid common pitfalls in load calculations. A sample load calc will be performed and discussed.
Participants in the webinar will:
This webinar is intended for architects, designers, builders, and raters of new homes. The webinar begins with an overview of building science and the house-as-a-system approach. Participants will apply this knowledge to total-home performance and the features it entails. This webinar will show participants best practices for designing a high-performance home, with a focus on efficiency, comfort, health, durability and environmental awareness. Participants will discover that high-performance homes begin with an enhanced design effort but don’t have to have increased construction costs. Southface will present several EarthCraft projects as case studies.
