With the collapse of the financial markets and the US debt bubble it’s likely that new construction activity will contract. At the same time, peak oil and climate change will drive interest in dramatically reducing energy consumption in existing buildings. In this workshop we’ll focus on the deep energy retrofits of homes and other building types. We’ll cover what the nature of the challenge is, where energy goes in homes, and look briefly at the underlying building science. Air barriers and insulation detailing will be illustrated primarily through numerous case study examples. We’ll look at mechanical systems for low load retrofits as well. Participants are encouraged to bring their own examples and situations for the group to resolve.

About the Presenter: Marc Rosenbaum, P.E. is a long-time student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities which connect us to the natural world, and support both personal and planetary health. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, but they didn’t see all the mistakes along the way. Rosenbaum was the keynote speaker at the 2008 Affordable Comfort conference and the 2009 Building Energy conference.

Printable registration form (a dual form for this pre-conference seminar and the 2010 Maine Indoor Air Quality Conference.)

Continuing Education Credit

                                Seminar Schedule

8:00 a.m.                Registration

8:30 – 8:45            Program:

                                Introduction and overview
                                The nature of the challenge
                                Building science – heat, air, moisture

10:00                    Break

10:15                   Program

                            Windows, air barriers, thermal bridge
                             Where the energy goes
                             Balancing Energy & IAQ
                             Case studies

12:00 – 12:45          Lunch

12:45                    Program
                               
                             Case Studies

2:15                        Break

2:30                        Program

                               Case Studies
                               Ventilation and minisplit heat pumps
                               Thousand Home Challenge

4:30                        Wrap-up

4:45                        Adjourn