Balancing Historic Preservation and Energy Performance

Historic New England’s approach to weatherization emphasizes preservation over intervention. But as shown by the energy retrofit that achieved an over 60% reduction in energy usage at the Lyman House, a National Historic Landmark, energy performance and preservation can co-exist. This session will discuss HNE’s preservation philosophy and how it guides the organization’s energy conservation projects. We will share an energy usage analysis of all 36 HNE properties and discuss how that information is used to prioritize actions.

Sensible Solutions to Latent Problems: Managing Humidity in High Performance Homes

Low-load homes struggle with summertime humidity more than conventional homes, and the Northeast isn’t getting any less tropical.  Let’s get ready.  We will consider how latent and sensible loads differ for low-load homes, how to calculate required equipment performance, and what our equipment options are.  After reviewing the basics of the psychrometric chart, we’ll use it as our playbook, loading it with zippy-looking graphics galore.  We will also present monitoring from recently built low-load homes.

Introduction to Building Science and Diagnostics

This overview of residential energy efficiency is appropriate for future auditors, would-be retrofitters, and anyone else who lives in a house. It starts with the basics of heat, air and moisture flow. Various insulation and air sealing materials are discussed. Heating fuels, heating systems, and hot water systems are compared. Common building performance problems and their solutions are outlined. There is a brief description of blower door testing and related diagnostics, along with suggestions for prioritizing recommendations.

LEDing the Lighting Revolution Part 1: How Many Light Bulbs Will it Take?

If LEDs are the next best thing, why do so many building professionals still feel “in the dark” about the technology? Welcome to modern lighting where counter-intuitive chaotic tension is the hallmark of the LED revolution. Part one will focus on the most accessible, yet possibly most frustrating, LED product category: the replacement light bulb.

Building Science Puzzles

At BuildingGreen, I spend about one-fifth of my time doing building investigations, mostly residential. In this session, I will present the building assessment information for a series of investigations (one or two commercial/institutional buildings), we will work to identify the problem(s) and possible solution(s), and then I will present the actual solution (right, wrong, in between…). Come ready to quip, throw jabs and darts, but, please, no suits (law or three-piece…although there is overlap, of course).

Marc's Zero Net Energy Deep Energy Retrofit

A building energy geek gut-renovated a small house. Learn about the decisions made, and consequences thereof; about choices of construction assemblies, materials, windows and doors, and mechanical equipment. Successive blower door test data will illustrate how the building was tightened to exceed the Passive House standard. Detailed energy use data will be presented, and performance data of the solar electric system, heat pump, heat recovery ventilator, and heat pump water heater will be presented, and will be compared to the energy model.

H2-Uh-Oh: Moisture Risks and How to Manage Them

Do you understand moisture dynamics? Do you have a comprehensive plan to control moisture in your buildings? If you answered no to either question, then you run the risks of occupant discomfort, mold growth, excessive maintenance and/or premature building failure. This session will help you avoid these risks. A veteran building scientist and co-author of the EPA Moisture Control Guide will share key measures—from design through operations—for controlling water and moisture in buildings.

The Building Science of Multifamily Passive House

This session will explore the building science implications of achieving the Passive House metrics for larger buildings and will highlight the difference in design strategies compared to single family Passive House homes. Multifamily projects of all types, but especially affordable housing developers, appreciate the benefits of achieving Passive House, such as increased durability, low operating and maintenance costs, assured comfort, and superior indoor air quality.

A Place in the Sun: Why We (Still) Need Solar Optimized Design

As low energy, super insulated enclosures become more prevalent, some industry leaders question the continued relevance of passive solar design. Should we use the sun to help meet our heating needs, or have newer design tools, construction techniques and materials rendered passive solar strategies obsolete? This session's speaker believes that solar optimized design remains important and will show how an integrated approach to solar design can and should support optimal performance and occupant comfort.

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