Beautiful Houses with Terrible Performance... How to AVOID This

Are Houses Built Too Tight?

In this podcast episode, Matt Risinger and Kristoff Irwin discuss the importance of upstream design in building construction to ensure a well-built, well-constructed house with comfort and efficiency in mind. They also talk about the challenges faced by builders when working with poorly designed plans.

Introduction

• Matt introduces Kristoff Irwin as an expert in HVAC design and engineering.

• The podcast is a companion piece to a YouTube video on getting upstream on building design.

• Kristoff's company, Positive Energy, specializes in mechanical designs for houses.

Importance of Upstream Design

• Poorly designed plans can make it difficult for builders to install mechanical systems and keep occupants comfortable.

• Upstream design involves considering HVAC system layout during the initial stages of building design.

• Dedicated focus on building science and fine craftsmanship is essential for successful upstream design.

Challenges Faced by Builders

• Matt discusses his accumulated phrases such as "let's get going" and "on the build show."

• Builders face challenges when working with poorly designed plans that do not consider HVAC system layout or occupant comfort.

Conclusion

• No new information provided.

Introduction to Building Science

In this section, the speaker introduces building science as a field that applies physical sciences to home construction. The laws of physics can create an impasse between the architect's design and the need for functional elements like ducts. Building science requires a social or psychological approach to overcome these challenges.

Physical Sciences vs Social Sciences in Home Construction

• Building science is considered to be the physical sciences applied to home construction.

• The laws of physics can create an impasse where the architect's design clashes with functional requirements.

• Overcoming these challenges requires a social or psychological approach based on trust and mutual respect.

Anticipation of Solutions in Building Science

In this section, the speaker discusses how building science creates anticipation for solutions by addressing problems and cravings. They also emphasize that building science should focus on creating good buildings rather than just knowing how to build them.

Anticipation of Solutions in Building Science

• There is an endorphin associated with anticipating solutions that will solve problems or cravings.

• Building science should focus on causing good buildings to exist rather than just knowing how to build them.

• Knowing how to build a good building does not guarantee its existence; it requires effective communication and collaboration among professionals involved in construction.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Satisfaction in Home Construction

In this section, the speaker discusses short-term versus long-term satisfaction in home construction. They highlight that sometimes clients are satisfied short term but not long term due to budget constraints or poor decision-making.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Satisfaction in Home Construction

• Short-term satisfaction in home construction can be achieved through budget constraints or poor decision-making.

• Long-term satisfaction requires effective communication and collaboration among professionals involved in construction, including architects, engineers, and builders.

• Investing more in qualified contractors with better equipment and manpower can lead to long-term satisfaction.

The Need for Humility in the Construction Industry

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the need for humility in the construction industry. They highlight that professionals should be open to rethinking conventional practices and engaging in soul-searching to improve their work.

The Need for Humility in the Construction Industry

• Professionals involved in construction should be open to rethinking conventional practices and engaging in soul-searching to improve their work.

• The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is populated by people who know their industry's past but may not be open to new ideas or approaches.

• Overcoming these challenges requires humility and a willingness to consider new perspectives.

Introduction to Positive Energy Building Science

In this section, the speaker introduces Positive Energy Building Science and how they got into mechanical design. They also discuss the need for mechanical design in residential HVAC.

Positive Energy Building Science

• Positive Energy Building Science is a company that offers services in enclosure design, mechanical design, indoor air quality, and resilient energy systems.

• The company started with mechanical design because there was a compelling need in the industry for it.

• There isn't much design involved in residential HVAC, so Positive Energy Building Science saw an opportunity to provide value by offering their expertise.

• The company's experience as building science consultants showed them that many homes had moisture issues due to changes in energy codes and building physics that HVAC installers hadn't adapted to.

Performance Consulting

In this section, the speaker discusses how Positive Energy Building Science offers performance consulting services where they start with passive systems like enclosure systems and work their way down to actual construction drawings.

Performance Consulting

• Performance consulting is a service offered by Positive Energy Building Science where they start with passive systems like enclosure systems and work their way down to actual construction drawings.

• The goal of performance consulting is to determine how a house would perform if taken from a rough concept down through an actual construction drawing.

• The company has split into two sets of services: engineering (mechanical electrical plumbing, solar design, battery design, water systems), and performance consulting.

Passive and Active Systems Analysis

In this section, the speaker discusses passive and active systems analysis in building science.

Passive Systems Analysis

• Passive systems analysis involves looking at the non-glass sections of the wall, window specs, layers, materials, rain air vapor thermal control layers, chemical exposures that owners may get from these products and how it impacts indoor air quality.

• It is a one-time build process that does not require high-quality energy sources like natural gas or electricity.

• The focus is on comfort, health, durability and carbon content.

Active Systems Consulting

• Active systems consulting happens when the project is at concept or SD stage before architects show plans to clients.

• The goal is to give a pre-mechanical layout for sizing furnace/heat pump/air handler and ductwork size.

• This helps to design space for mechanical rooms rather than hiding them behind access panels which are difficult to reach later.

Building Science and Craftsmanship

In this section, the speaker talks about building science beyond just walls going together.

Expanded Building Science

• Expanded building science includes fitting together architectural designs with engineering consultants' information flow.

• It involves understanding who said what to whom and when during construction projects.

Building Science and Systems Theory

In this section, the speaker discusses building science as applied systems theory to homes. They also talk about the importance of working together as a system and introduce the concept of resilient energy and water systems.

Building Science as Applied Systems Theory

• Building science is simply systems theory applied to homes.

• Positive Energy works on the system of how people work together.

• The team at Positive Energy focuses on passive, active, and resilient energy and water systems consulting early on in the design process.

Resilient Energy and Water Systems

• As a nation, we are trillions of dollars behind in maintaining our energy and water systems.

• The quality of enclosure from a thermal and air perspective impacts the sizing of heating and cooling systems which impacts resilience needs.

• Mechanical systems should not just be about heating and cooling but also ventilation, filtration, humidity control, etc.

• Air quality is important since it's something we breathe in 30 pounds per day.

Importance of Working Together

• Society should ask for more from their homes such as sleep systems, resilient energy/water/durability support for environmental ecosystems upon which we all depend.

• Humans resist the idea that there are things that can hurt us that we can't see.

The Importance of Building Science

In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of building science and how it impacts indoor air quality.

Building Science as a System

• Mold is a significant threat to indoor air quality.

• Building science is a system that applies physical systems, chemistry, biology, and physics to homes.

• Indoor microecology includes mold, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, archaea and other things that cause negative health outcomes.

• Positive energy has seen the design and construction of homes as a system that can be optimized for better outcomes.

Craftsmanship in Homebuilding

In this section, the speakers discuss craftsmanship in homebuilding and how it goes beyond just visual appeal.

The Hidden Systems of Homes

• Craftsmanship involves making sure all systems in a home are optimized for better health outcomes and durability.

• Clients may not see what's behind walls or under floors but these hidden systems make more difference to their health outcome than visual appeal.

• More people are becoming aware of building science through podcasts like "The Building Science Podcast" and YouTube videos.

Changing the Conversation About Well-Built Houses

In this section, the speakers discuss how they are changing the conversation about well-built houses through performance consulting.

Upstream Thinking

• How things come together in homebuilding involves upstream thinking where information gets to the right person at the right time.

• Performance Consulting moves upstream by ensuring the right information gets to the right person at the right time.

• Architects are becoming more aware of building science and how it can be applied to homes.

Understanding Window to Wall Ratios and Exterior Shading

In this section, the speaker discusses window to wall ratios and how exterior shading can help reduce heat load in a building.

Window to Wall Ratios

• The windows should be 20% of the exterior walls in a room.

• A good window to wall ratio is between 20% to 40%.

Exterior Shading

• Exterior shading can help cut down on heat load in a building by preventing sunlight from hitting the glass.

• Interior shades do not prevent heat from entering the house as they only block glare for your eyes.

• European houses are built with exterior shades because they have thick exterior building shells that allow them to do so.

• Manufacturers at international builder shows have solutions for these exterior shades which are hidden and thoughtfully designed.

Energy Efficiency and Glass Buildings

In this section, the speakers discuss the concept of energy efficiency in buildings, particularly with regards to glass buildings. They explore how older buildings with a more normal window-to-wall ratio are often more energy-efficient than newer glass buildings that are lead gold certified.

Older Buildings vs Newer Glass Buildings

• Buildings built in the 50s or 60s with a normal 40 window-to-wall ratio are often more energy-efficient than newer glass buildings.

• The cost of cheap rockable insulation and some studs might be less expensive per square foot compared to high-tech glass.

• Energy efficiency can lead us astray because it doesn't necessarily mean lower energy use.

• Comparing two buildings with a 25 window-to-wall ratio makes sense to go with the more energy-efficient cooling system.

Function of Homes

• Homes serve people to live their lives comfortably without glare and thermal comfort issues.

• Architects should be careful when designing homes with too much glass as it may not provide adequate shading or thermal comfort for occupants.

Floor-to-Ceiling Glass

• Floor-to-ceiling glass is not always necessary and can be more expensive. Cutting it down to waist level can still provide a good view while being cost-effective.

Designing Homes for Human Comfort

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of designing homes with human comfort in mind.

Connection to Nature

• Glass can be used to create a connection to nature and make homes beautiful.

• However, fresh outdoor air is what our bodies need for a true connection to nature.

• A well-built home can improve acoustic differences, thermal regulation, and sleep quality.

Importance of Wood Ceilings

• Wood ceilings can create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere in a home.

• High fractal images like wood grain or texture are associated with positive emotions while low fractal images like white walls are associated with depression and anxiety.

Post-War Building Practices

• Many building practices were developed during the post-war building boom when there was a need for fast and affordable housing.

• These practices may not take into account human comfort and well-being.

Building Science and Performance Consulting

In this section, Kristoff Irwin talks about the trickle-up practices in home building and how they have optimized for speed, efficiency, and low first cost rather than for humans. He also introduces his company Positive Energy based in Austin Texas that offers performance consulting services.

Trickle-Up Practices in Home Building

• Homes, even multi-million dollar ones, have the same mechanical system components as production builder homes.

• Surface finishes are also similar.

• Poor flex ducts are used despite the high cost of the house.

Positive Energy's Services

• Positive Energy is a company that offers performance consulting services.

• The service includes a schematic design building science look at the house which is building science.

• It costs around $10k as a minimum or $3 per square foot.

• The service can change the way houses are being built in America one house at a time.

Impact of Performance Consulting on Architects and Builders

• Architects who have used Positive Energy's services multiple times are starting to get it. They understand daylighting better and are changing how they design houses.

• Builders no longer bid projects in Austin anymore. Instead, they hire Professional Services agreements where they follow standard practices such as using metal trunk lines and putting dehumidifiers as standard.

Building Science Podcast

In this section, Kristoff Irwin promotes his podcast called Building Science Podcast. He also provides links to their website and Instagram page.

Building Science Podcast

• Building Science Podcast is a podcast by Positive Energy that discusses building science topics with great guests.

• It is available on iTunes.

Links to Website and Instagram Page

• Their website is positiveenergy.pro

• Their Instagram handle is @building_science_atx

Conclusion

In this section, Matt Risinger concludes the podcast and encourages viewers to follow him on social media.

Conclusion

• Matt Risinger concludes the podcast.

• He encourages viewers to subscribe to their podcast and follow them on social media.

• The video version of the podcast is available on buildshownetwork.com.