With well-insulated envelopes and newer heat pumps that work in cold climates, some designers and developers are moving away from fossil fuels towards all-electric buildings. This can certainly save infrastructure costs, but what is the effect on operating costs? What about comfort and reliability? This workshop will present findings from research; case studies from the around the Northeast; and best practices for determining if, how, and when to forego fossil fuels.

Your windows are nice, but how’s your install? Windows are often big, heavy, fragile, and in high performance buildings, windows are the most expensive components. When you pay for all that performance, you also want to make sure windows are properly installed. It’s about your building enclosure: one wrong move and your exterior walls can also suffer expensive damage. Optimal window installs take into account vapor drive at different times of year, and take steps to super-insulate the window frames for the best thermal performance.

Once we build a high performance building, there are still major challenges with what to do with hot water distribution. Most practitioners are using outdated methods to control distribution piping, plumbing fixtures & appliances, and waste heat that runs down the drain. This workshop will present practical measures you can incorporate into your next project that result in high performance hot water systems and very satisfied customers.

Once we build a high performance building, there are still major challenges with what to do with hot water distribution. Most practitioners are using outdated methods to control distribution piping, plumbing fixtures & appliances, and waste heat that runs down the drain. This workshop will present practical measures you can incorporate into your next project that result in high performance hot water systems and very satisfied customers.