The Building Performance Podcast

Today we talk with Lew Harriman, director of research at Mason-Grant (www.masongrant.com) and author of such books as The Dehumidification Handbook, Measured Home Performance, and ASHRAE Humidity Control Design Guide, about the impending doom of buildings around the world, and how to stop it.

Today we talk with Michael Hobbs (SRA/LEED GA), president of Pahroo Appraisals and Consultancy and member of the Appraisal Institute, about the root of the problem of appraising home performance, energy efficiency, and 'green' features in a home.

Today we talk with Brett Dillon of IBS Advisors and the RESNET Chair of both Standards Development and Technical Committees, about new developments for HERS Raters.  Brett has a problem with authority, which makes him very likable, and he actually is the authority, which makes him intimidating (and us confused).

Today we talk with guru Gord Cooke of Building Knowledge and EEBA about how to get super-duper rich doing a fantastic job at building, retrofitting, and selling home performance.  "When I grow up, I want to be Gord Cooke." -Corbett Lunsford, Host

Today we talk with David B. Goldstein, author of the book  Invisible Energy, energy program co-director at the National Resource Defense Council, award-winning physicist, and all around nice guy.  His insight into the mortgage crisis, homeowner propaganda, and analyzing the housing market as a system are fascinating.

Today we talk with Travis Pate of Texas Classic Homes and John Harmon, a HERS Rater with Thermo Dynamic Insulation about how to build an awesome home, and why they're more successful at it than run-of-the-mill builders.

Today we talk with Sam Rashkin again, this time as the Chief Architect for the DOE's Building Technologies Program and the author of the new book Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry: How It Got Here, Why It's Broken, How To Fix It.

Today we talk with the uncomprable Dennis Stroer again about the finer points of HVAC design, dewpoint, warm climate subtleties, and the future of the industry.  Dennis is the founder and President of Calcs-Plus in Venice, FL (www.calcs-plus.com).

Today we talk with Rick Helwig, founder of one of the biggest weatherization contracting firms in the Midwest.  His crew of 75 full time employees is an awesome mix of family business with large-scale organization, and of high performance science with Chicago-style practicality. 

Today we talk with Bob Davis, one of the industry's most influential figures in the development of home performance HVAC testing (duct blaster, Delta Q, and more), about where the tests came from, and where they might be taking us.

Today we talk with Mike Gorman, the mind behind the business training and consulting firm TechKnowledge, on the disconnect between building science and business practice in today's rapidly evolving high performance contracting industry.

Today we talk with Pam Cole, Building Energy Scientist and technical support guru with the Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Energy Codes (the new International Energy Conservation Code 2012 being the most famous) are gaining ground across the country, and Pam's organization assists in their research, development, and implementation.

Today we talk with Gord Cooke of Building Knowledge and EEBA, an international HVAC and Builder Trainer.  Gord has some simple and brilliant approaches to selling high performance building to builders, contractors, and homebuyers.

Today we talk with Vikki Murphy, my personal favorite at BPI (the Building Performance Institute) and a delightful person, in addition to being the Director of Affiliate (training) Development and a past director of the New York Weatherization Directors Association.

Today we talk with Bill Spohn, a mechanical engineer who has designed and marketed tools with Bacharach, Testo, Fisher Scientific, and more, about the state of tools in the world.  You know you love them.  Listen to the man.

Today we talk with Sam Rashkin, National Director of ENERGY STAR for Homes at the EPA, about details of ESv3, selling high performance homes, and how to be awesome in general.

Today we talk with Don Stevens, National Research and Development Manager for Panasonic and Technical leader for HVI and ASHRAE, about the difference between ventilation standards, how to ventilate properly, and why so many professionals get it wrong.

Today we talk with Tom Bassett-Dilley, architect in Chicago, about choosing air sealing instead of geothermal systems, how to lead clients into the light, and how to build a high performance building team. Audio quality issues are still being ironed out, thanks for your patience!

Today we talk with George Kerr, founding father of CO safety and president of CO Experts, about the science and history of carbon monoxide safety throughout industrialized countries.

Today we talk with Marge Anderson, Associate Director of Energy Center of Wisconsin, about research on green jobs, retrofits, utility programs, and certifications.