Houses That Work Course Outline

Introduction to EEBA and its Partners in Building Science

• What EEBA does
• Relevance of the Houses that Work Program and outline of the Online Experience
• EEBA Resources - Courses, Designation, CEUs, Summit
• The role of education partners from industry and government 

Opportunities and Challenges from Industry Trends and Changes

In this segment participants learn how many complex changes in home design, building materials, mechanical systems, appliances, consumer lifestyles and expectations over the last 30 years makes the job of every designer, builders, supplier and trade contractor more complex and demanding. The segment will outline the need for change in the way we build.

• Design and Material trends
• New processes and methods
• Changing consumer expectations 
• The complicated business of buildings

Defining High Performance Homes and the Path of Continual Improvement

Outlining the eight elements of a "High Performance Home":

• Tight Construction
• Improved Insulation Systems
• High Performance Windows
• Intentional Ventilation
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Options
• Efficient Water Heating
• Effective Lighting and Energy Efficient Appliances
• Sustainable Material Selections

House-as-a-System

This segment outlines the value of designing and building homes as an integrated system. Examples will be shown so that participants can understand why some buildings work and others do not, to ensure the following goals are met - homes that are:

• Safer
• More comfortable
• More efficient
• Healthier
• More durable

Building Science Principles - 1

The following 4 segments outline the basic building science physics of air, heat and moisture flow that every designer, builder and trade contractor needs to be able to understand and apply.

Getting started with Building Science:

• The complex building process and how to change the decision matrix
• How Building Codes address building science principles
• The principles of durability against the forces of nature
• The basic rules of building science that must be followed

Building Science Principles - 2: Heat Flow

This segment demonstrates the principles of heat flow and shows animations and examples of how to properly manage it.

• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation

The relative importance of each and examples of materials and methods to control.

Building Science Principles - 3: Air Flow

This segment demonstrates the principles of air flow and shows animations and examples of how to properly manage it.

• Wind
• Stack
• Mechanical

The relative importance of each and examples of materials and methods to control.

Building Science Principles - 4: Moisture Flow

This segment demonstrates the principles of water or moisture flow and shows animations and examples of how to properly manage it.

Outline how moisture comes in 3 forms: liquid, solid, and vapor, and how water in liquid form is the most damaging.

Moisture flows by 4 mechanisms: 

• Liquid Water - Bulk, Rain, Gravity
• Capillary Flow
• Air Transport of Water Vapor
• Diffusion

The relative importance of each and examples of materials and methods to control. A brief discussion of the relationship between air tightness, air flow, and moisture flow including how air flow can assist in drying building components.

Module 1 Summary and Next Steps

This final segment summarizes the opportunities available for those who apply the fundamentals of building science to every project. Case studies will show projects that successfully achieved more cost-effective approaches to higher performance homes. The module will transition into the online quiz for participants and show how successful completion gains them access to the next module.

10 min.

Module 1 Total:

90 min.

Foundations:

This segment will cover a thorough review of the physics of foundations and how to make them work better. The principles of managing rain and capillary flow will be discussed for the various foundation options. Appropriate water management strategies and insulation alternatives will be demonstrated.

Foundation Design and Construction for:

• Crawl Spaces
• Slabs

Creating Livable Basements

Given homeowners' expectations for more livable basements, it is important for builders to turn those cold, dark, damp storage spaces into warm, dry living spaces. The principles, material options, and construction details required to accomplish this will be demonstrated. The discussion will include coverage of insulated concrete forms.

Wall Systems - 1

In these next 3 segments, the building science principles are applied to wall systems. Effective air sealing and insulation strategies are demonstrated. These segments will help participants choose appropriate wall details for cost-effective enclosures that avoid interstitial condensation and help reduce both heating and cooling loads.

Air Barrier details and strategies that work:

• Air Leakage Locations
• Common Holes We Miss
• Interior and Exterior Air Barriers

Wall Systems - 2

In this segment, insulation strategies are demonstrated.

Cavity Insulation options:

• Grading properly installed insulation
• Insulation systems and options

Continuous insulation options

• Improving effective R-values of walls
• Attachment and integration of various exterior insulation with water-resistant barriers, windows, and cladding

15 min.

Wall Systems - 3

In this segment, cost-effective wall assemblies for Net Zero Energy compliant homes will be identified for different climate zones. Alternative and innovative wall assemblies will also be demonstrated and discussed.

Net Zero Energy optimized wall assemblies

Innovative wall systems

• Advanced framing/ Simplified framing = OVE
• Structurally insulated panels
• Insulated concrete forms

Roof and Attic Assemblies

In this segment, the building science principles are applied to roof and attic assemblies. Effective air sealing and insulation strategies are demonstrated. These segments will help participants choose appropriate attic details for cost-effective enclosures that avoid interstitial condensation and help reduce both heating and cooling loads.

Roof systems:

• Ventilation needs and avoiding wind washing
• The case for conditioned attics and the critical details to ensure they work

Window and Door Systems

Windows constitute one of the highest dollar components of a home and have become a primary design feature. It is important to understand how to accommodate windows without compromising comfort and energy efficiency. This segment will help builders choose appropriate windows that avoid condensation and help manage both heating and cooling loads.

Elements of High Performance Windows:

• Low E coatings
• Insulated spacers
• Argon-filled
• Better frame technologies

Optimizing window selections to balance comfort, HVAC, and Net Zero Energy compliance in different climate zones.

Protecting Building Systems

This segment outlines important, cost-effective strategies that protect building enclosures over the life of the building. Topics discussed will include proper flashing details, applying rain screen principles, and managing interior moisture.

1. Proper grading and drainage

2. Draining wall and roof assemblies

• Rain Penetration Control
• Drainage Plane
• The interface between walls and roofs
• Installing windows - they need careful attention
• Venting our cladding
• Creating a Continuous Drainage Plane

Costing and Validating Performance

This segment will show a decision matrix for the enclosure elements and show case studies of the relative cost implications of achieving Net Zero Energy compliance. The segment will also outline the process for validating the performance of enclosure elements through energy modeling and in-field testing.

Performance modeling and validation options.

• An example of an Energy Rating Index optimization
• Field performance testing options and alternatives

Module 2 Summary and Next Steps

This final segment summarizes the opportunities for those who make good enclosure choices in their project. Case studies will show projects that successfully achieved more cost-effective approaches to higher performance enclosures.

The module will transition into the online quiz for participants and show how successful completion gains them access to the next module. 

Mechanical Systems - Conditioning the Indoors

These next segments provide participants with important information about properly sizing and selecting heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water heating systems. With better envelope insulation, air sealing, and better windows, furnaces and AC units can get smaller. Equipment options and advancements will be shown that will allow builders to optimize system performance at potentially lower costs. Understanding the basics of HVAC design can lower utility bills, and make for quieter, healthier, and more comfortable homes.

Combustion Safety and Helpful Improvements in Appliance Technology

• Direct Vent Furnaces and Fireplaces
• Power Vent Water Heaters
• Tankless Water Heaters
• How to Deal With Fireplaces - Make-up Air Options

New Appliance Features and Options

• ECM Fan Motors
• Variable Capacity

Mechanical Systems - Right Sizing

This segment will introduce the basic methods of ensuring the proper sizing of heating and cooling systems and their distribution methods.

Right sizing of HVAC systems

• Heat Loss / Gain and Comfort Factors and who can do proper sizing
• Providing HVAC contractors with good information
• The benefits of avoiding over sizing

Distribution systems

• Sizing and installing properly
• Keeping ducts in conditioned spaces

Mechanical Systems - Heating and Cooling Options

This segment will introduce the most common technologies used for heating and cooling and decisions that could be made to optimize cost and performance.

Heating and cooling options

• Fuel choices
• Efficiency ratings
• Heat pump relevance
• Duct less and radiant options

Mechanical Systems - Verifying Performance

This segment will demonstrate the basics of how HVAC contractors should be verifying the performance of installed systems. 

Verify Performance

• Duct leakage
• Flow and pressure verification
• Refrigerant checks and their meanings

Mechanical Systems - Water Heating and Appliances

This segment will introduce the basic objectives and options when choosing water heating and other appliance technologies.

1. Water heaters

• Tank vs. tankless
• Heat pump water heaters

2. Appliance and lighting objectives and options

3. In-home water use reduction options

Indoor Air Quality

This segment covers the basics of all aspects of the ever more important topic of indoor air quality. Participants will learn the basics of mold and other pollutant sources and cost-effective strategies to avoid air quality issues.

Indoor air quality introduction:

• Changes that impact IAQ
• Who is affected?
• Pollutant sources
• IAQ Control Strategies
  • Remove, seal, ventilate, filter
• Radon Control

Indoor Air Quality - Solutions 1

This segment will demonstrate the most common mechanical solutions to ensure the healthiest possible air for occupants. 

How much ventilation - Types of mechanical ventilation

• Exhaust-Only Ventilation
• Supply-Only Ventilation
• Balanced ventilation with heat or energy recovery

Indoor Air Quality - Solutions 2

This segment will cover the important topic of humidity control and filtration.

Identifying the healthy humidity range and strategies to control it.

• Dehumidification
• Humidification

Filtration options

The Case for Sustainable / Resilient / Durable Building Decisions

This segment will show how building science principles fit into the growing trend toward resilient, sustainable building practices. Participants will learn that the same measures taken to improve energy efficiency and building durability are recognized by the leading green building programs.

Applying Building Science to Green Building Programs

• Green and sustainable building programs
• Engineered and sustainable building products
• Construction waste reduction

Changing the Building Process

This final segment will focus on how high-performance homes affect the affordability and buildability of homes and other implications for occupants such as maintenance and lifestyle changes.

• The Bottom Line = Cost-Effectiveness
• The Energy Investment Opportunity
• Code Issues
• Working with trades and suppliers to implement new technologies

End of Workshop

Final online test