https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/ Building science knowledge, HVAC design, & fun Sun, 07 Apr 2013 07:41:31 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5589 Sun, 07 Apr 2013 07:41:31 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5589 Learning curve. Indicates at
Learning curve. Indicates at some point the learning slows and you start to know stuff. Sounds rewarding.  
 
Can someone hip me to when that starts to happen?

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5588 Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:28:21 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5588 Good story as always, Allison
Good story as always, Allison. Is that you gripping the framing or standing on the wall plate? 
I dove down the energy efficientcy road in 2004. 
I had been building 24 years at that point and wanted to know why with all the so called experts involved, the houses just did not perform. 
I found the problem is with the experts. They might be an expert in one of the 16 common divisions of construction, but had no clue how their division fit into the system. 
System? What the hell are you talking about? W’re building a house, not a system! 
I am now a System Based Energy General Contractor. I get it. I have not gotten it as I seem to learn something else everyday. 
 
It is a journey that every builder and subcontractor should embark. 
We have a very nice project on the beach in Hilton Head Island at the moment. 
It is a 5 bedroom 4,000+ square feet house with 51 exterior doors and windows and 8 feet off the ground on wood pilings. 
 
The house had a 4 ton and two 2 ton heat pump systems. 
After the renovation there will be two 2 ton communicating systems and a very cool passive ventilation system. 
We went with two systems as the great room with clerestory and the parking areas under the house made it very difficult to do a single duct system, or we would have done a single 2 ton system. 
Too bad the systems start at 2 tons. 
Thanks, 
Gene  

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5587 Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:00:51 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5587 Curt, excellent post.
Curt, excellent post. Especially the part about contractors refusing to believe that anything except 500sqft per ton is going to work regardless of how well insulated the house is. Co-workers of mine looked at me like I was nuts putting a 2 ton unit in a 1600sqft house. Even after they saw it work, they still won’t move off the 500sqft per ton thinking…

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5586 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:29:11 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5586 Allison, thank you for taking
Allison, thank you for taking the time to drive down to Sierra Vista. Nice photo of the windmill at Brown Canyon Ranch. Hope you make it back so we can hike the Brown Canyon trail and experience more of Tommy’s story telling 🙂

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5585 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:06:17 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5585 I’m on a similar path –
I’m on a similar path – Several years ago I resigned a 22 year stint as an industrial automation engineer with Siemens and switched into high-end home HVAC and deep energy retrofits. 
 
This came about in large part because the guy who built our custom home had great difficulty finding subs who really understand HVAC, energy conservation and building science. 
 
Local HVAC companies simply refused to bid his work, flat out denying that a Florida home could really operate at 1200-1500 SF per ton. 
 
We prefer ICF, but I can certainly see the appeal of SIPs. Both systems lead to much tighter homes and better integrate the insulation so as to deliver higher assembly R-values, often confused with cavity R-Values 
 
I agree with all of the above – be on the leading but not bleeding edge. Question every local assumption. Read and participate in fora and blogs, but learn to separate the wheat from the chaff. 
 
Be especially aware of regional climate differences – what works in Florida may not be a good fit for Massachusetts, and conversely. 
 
Beware energy and building advice from “one-trick ponies” AKA vendors of one particular product or service. That’s like seeking retirement investment advice from a whole life insurance policy salesman…the answer is predetermined. 
 
The folks in the energy conservation / demand management, home energy audit / efficiency rebate departments of local energy utilities can be great sources of information and networking. Likewise, they value contractors who “get it” and should be able to help in a hundred little ways.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop/#comment-5584 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:01:35 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=throwing-the-building-science-learning-curve-for-a-loop#comment-5584 Those of us who hang out with
Those of us who hang out with David on his LinkedIn site are all most grateful to him.

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