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Better Buildings: Better Business Conference has ended

Do you have your finger on the pulse of the latest products and services on the market? Are there new techniques and approaches to investigate? What are others in the industry doing that you’re not? Find out February 14–16, 2018 at North America’s largest event dedicated to cold climate residential building. Register now, then download the program book and check out these tips before you go.


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Wednesday, February 14
 

8:00am CST

High performance mechanical systems for houses that work
THIS IS A PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION (Separate $129 registration fee applies) 
Residential mechanical systems have grown in complexity and scope over the past several years. Codes have mandated higher insulation levels, better windows and tighter construction. Now is the time to rethink and redesign HVAC, hot water heating and electronic home control systems. Through lecture, case studies and group exercises; we’ll zero in on the compelling opportunities to simultaneously create comfortable, durable, safe, healthy and efficient homes while managing costs. 

AIA 7 LU/HSWs, ASHI 7 CE credits, BPI 7 CEUs, DSPS 7 Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 7 UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, 7 UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 7 CE hours, NAHB, NARI 7 CEUs, NATE 7 CEHs, RESNET 7 PD credits

Speakers
avatar for Gord Cooke

Gord Cooke

Construction Instruction Inc.
Gord is a professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in the low and high-rise residential building industry. As an educator, industry consultant and much sought after presenter, Gord has a unique talent for taking the building science issues that he sees in the field... Read More →



Wednesday February 14, 2018 8:00am - 4:30pm CST
Aralia/Marula
  Pre-conference session
 
Thursday, February 15
 

10:30am CST

High-performance walls and exterior insulation
During this session we will outline the ever increasing challenges presented by changes to building codes and energy programs. We will discuss material and design choices and consumer expectations in creating high-performance buildings. We will focus on the science behind making walls more durable, safer and more energy efficient by utilizing exterior insulation without compromising cost effectiveness and build ability.

AIA 1.25 LU/HSWs, ASHI 1 CEC hour, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits

Speakers
avatar for Gord Cooke

Gord Cooke

Construction Instruction Inc.
Gord is a professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in the low and high-rise residential building industry. As an educator, industry consultant and much sought after presenter, Gord has a unique talent for taking the building science issues that he sees in the field... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 10:30am - 11:45am CST
Aralia/Marula

10:30am CST

Mechanical systems for high-performance enclosures

High-performance enclosures have significantly changed the demands on mechanical systems. We will begin with a review of the shortcomings of current systems. Then move into the critical components needed to deliver superior, consistent and persistent comfort; efficiency; durability; and indoor environmental quality. Finally, we will zero in on the design and delivery of systems-based, best-practice solutions for heating, cooling, dehumidification, filtration, ventilation, hot water and make-up air for high-performance zero energy ready homes.

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Pat Huelman

Pat Huelman

University of Minnesota
Pat coordinates the Cold Climate Housing program with the University of Minnesota Extension. He is recognized for his systems approach to improving overall home performance. Pat’s focus has been on heat, air, and moisture movement in buildings and he is an expert in building systems... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 10:30am - 11:45am CST
Guava
  Session

1:30pm CST

Advancements in window and wall technology

Windows are one of the most important features of a building envelope, allowing us to maintain a connection with the outdoors while we remain comfortable and safe indoors. The window industry has been challenged to deliver see-through products that provide energy efficiency, occupant comfort, safety, beauty and low maintenance. This session will explore the elements of window design for energy performance and look at advancements that have been made to meet ENERGY STAR® target levels for windows and doors.

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Ross DePaola

Ross DePaola

Integrated Energy Services/WESTLab
Ross is owner of Integrated Energy Services doing business as WESTLab, a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certified simulation laboratory. WESTLab provides window energy performance simulation services to window manufacturers including Andersen Windows, Jeld-Wen and Marvin... Read More →
avatar for Joe Nagan

Joe Nagan

Home Building Technology Services
Joe provides design evaluations, construction management and building failure analysis. He is certified in residential mechanical ventilation design and installation and advanced building science. Joe provides support and training as the technical director for the Focus on Energy... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST
Aralia/Marula

1:30pm CST

Balanced ventilation: what works for design and performance

In this session, we will discuss heat recovery ventilation and energy recovery ventilation duct design. We’ll look at field findings on how design and installation details apply to performance and call back and service issues. Humidity control and energy and indoor air quality details will be discussed. We’ll demonstrate industry accepted methods of testing air flow on different models of balanced systems. And, we’ll cover controls, operation and homeowner perspectives on ventilation. 

AIA 1.25 LU/HSWs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs


Speakers
avatar for Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson

Dakota Supply Group
Mike has been involved in the HVAC and energy industry since 1981 and has been involved as a service manager working with all aspects of mini splits at a wholesale house since 1997. He has designed, installed, commissioned and trained on many ducted heat pump mini split systems. Mike... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST
Guava
  Session

1:30pm CST

Optimizing boilers for efficiency and performance

Modulating boilers throttle back output to gain efficiency by operating at lower temperatures. Though the factory setup will work, the installer should change the data points to meet the heating curve for greater efficiency. Learn how to calculate the heating curve and determine the turn down ratio for sizing by considering the output capacity of the emitters and the outdoor temperature range. We will discuss conditions that compromise system performance, including water quality.

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Paul LeBreck

Paul LeBreck

Northeast Wisconsin Community Action Program
Paul is a plumbing/HVAC superintendent at NEWCAP Inc. in Oconto, Wisconsin. He graduated from NWTC with a degree in HVAC/R and has been in the HVAC/R field since graduating high school in 1998.
avatar for Robert Parkhurst

Robert Parkhurst

WECC
Robert has been a technical trainer with WECC for over 10 years and in the energy retrofit business for almost 30 years. He has presented on this topic numerous times for the Wisconsin Weatherization Program and at national events. Robert has completed field research on why venting... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 1:30pm - 2:45pm CST
Tamarind

3:15pm CST

Ducted mini splits applications and performance

This session will explore both ductless and ducted mini splits, with a focus on the latter. Performance and operation for cooling and heating will be discussed, with a focus on cold climate heat pump operation. Case studies on basic installations for older homes and on inverter-driven ducted mini-split systems will be shared, highlighting the impact they have on low load, high-performance homes.

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson

Dakota Supply Group
Mike has been involved in the HVAC and energy industry since 1981 and has been involved as a service manager working with all aspects of mini splits at a wholesale house since 1997. He has designed, installed, commissioned and trained on many ducted heat pump mini split systems. Mike... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Guava

3:15pm CST

Sizing heating systems in existing homes

There are many tools available to size a heating system for an existing home: REScheck, Manual J, National Energy Audit Tool, and your basic heating design load spreadsheet. How do you know if the inputs are realistic, reasonable or just a guess? In this session, we will walk through several different methods and explain the pros and cons of each tool, as well as how errors and assumptions affect the size of the proposed heating system. A comparison of the results from each tool will be highlighted for an existing home to include practical parameters for inputs to ensure the contractor is proposing a reasonable size for the home. 

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs


Speakers
avatar for Joe Nagan

Joe Nagan

Home Building Technology Services
Joe provides design evaluations, construction management and building failure analysis. He is certified in residential mechanical ventilation design and installation and advanced building science. Joe provides support and training as the technical director for the Focus on Energy... Read More →
avatar for Robert Parkhurst

Robert Parkhurst

WECC
Robert has been a technical trainer with WECC for over 10 years and in the energy retrofit business for almost 30 years. He has presented on this topic numerous times for the Wisconsin Weatherization Program and at national events. Robert has completed field research on why venting... Read More →


Thursday February 15, 2018 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Tamarind
 
Friday, February 16
 

8:30am CST

Forced air heating systems operation and self-diagnostics

Join us to talk about high efficiency forced-air heating systems and to identify the different components and their functions. Participants will have the opportunity to view the system components and ask questions about them. Knowing the sequence of operation and self-diagnostic features of the system will aid in troubleshooting operating issues.

AIA 1.25 LU/HSWs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Adrian Scott

Adrian Scott

WECC
Adrian provides on-site training for Wisconsin’s Weatherization Assistance program. He has Building Performance Institute analyst and envelope certifications and is well-versed in all aspects of weatherization including the installation of heating systems and mechanical equipment... Read More →


Friday February 16, 2018 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Tamarind

8:30am CST

Resilient building solutions for a changing climate

In Wisconsin, the effects of climate change will likely impact the systems that heat and cool our homes. Taking into account future climate impacts as we design and construct buildings for the next 50 to 100 years will help occupants be better prepared. Passive Buildings play a key role in resilient design by maintaining livable conditions during emergencies, reducing operational costs, and serving as ‘thermal batteries’ that limit strain on the electrical grid. In this session, we'll share impact studies and discuss building resiliency, Passive Building design and peak load savings as a benefit to the electrical grid.

AIA 1.25 LU/HSWs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contracotr Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs


Speakers
avatar for Tony Holub

Tony Holub

Farr Associates
Tony Holub is a Senior Architect with Farr Associates in Chicago. His work has focused extensively on sustainable design, LEED certification, Passive House, and Net Zero Energy initiatives. He is formerly the chair of AIA Iowa's Committee On the Environment (iCOTE) and is an involved... Read More →
avatar for Connor Jansen

Connor Jansen

Seventhwave
Connor provides consulting, design advice, and analysis to help clients achieve exceptional performance within the built environment in the areas of energy, indoor environmental quality, and daylighting. As a member of the Seventhwave team, Connor brings with him robust project experience... Read More →


Friday February 16, 2018 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Portia

12:45pm CST

Infrared and weatherization building clinic

Thermal imaging cameras have become common for commercial and residential building inspection. Buildings often exhibit quality and performance problems during construction, remodel and over time that can impact energy performance. Infrared imaging provides remarkable, nondestructive information about construction details and building performance. Applying infrared cameras to the diagnostics of building applications brings opportunities and advantages. We will review some building inspection standards and the implications for thermal imaging. 

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Jay Bowen

Jay Bowen

Bowen & Associates, LLC
Jay’s been involved in the construction trades for more than 40 years. Twenty of which, he’s used and taught infrared thermography in varied applications including building quality control, insulation integrity applications, building moisture intrusion and efficient building science... Read More →


Friday February 16, 2018 12:45pm - 2:00pm CST
Banyan
  Session

12:45pm CST

Zone pressure diagnostics primer

Zone pressure diagnostics are used in many energy efficiency programs, especially for testing of attached garages. During this session you'll gain insight about ZPD testing and take a close at how it’s done and why. We’ll cover the fundamentals of how ZPD testing is completed in residential homes and discuss how ZPD can be used as a tool to prioritize air sealing work and ensure the quality of completed work. We’ll outline the steps required to obtain ZPD test data and share tips on how to interpret zone pressure readings and test results.

AIA 1.25 LUs, ASHI 1 CE credit, BPI 1.25 CEUs, DSPS 1 CEU towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, 1 CEU towards UDC-Construction Inspector Certification, GBCI 1 CE hour, IACET 0.1 CEU, NAHB, NARI 1.25 CEUs, NATE 1.25 CEHs, RESNET 1.25 PD credits


Speakers
avatar for Cory Chovanec

Cory Chovanec

WECC
Cory is a hands-on energy professional with nearly 20 years of experience in various facets of building performance. He distills technical information and client requirements to crews and sub-contractors to ensure quality work and effective collaboration. Cory leads a variety of WECC’s... Read More →


Friday February 16, 2018 12:45pm - 2:00pm CST
Tamarind
 


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