1st Annual Duluth Energy Design Concepts

Our interactive display involves establishing a bedroom cut-away 12 feet wide and 6 feet deep within which we will show several locations and applications where asbestos can be found in residential remodeling and reconstruction. There are several developments that may significantly affect the residential and commercial construction industries. We will provide an overview of the applicability to residential situations.

In this segment, participants learn how each change in existing homes over the years impacts other parts of a home and affects overall performance. These effects are very important as more and more houses will undergo significant energy efficiency improvements. This segment outlines the basic building science physics of air, heat and moisture flow that everyone involved in remodeling needs to know to avoid risks and take advantage of opportunities presented by energy-efficient remodeling projects.

In this segment, building science principles will be applied to the most common remodel projects that houses of various ages undergo. Specific remodel projects will be covered, and the instructor will outline the building science principles that apply and the important elements needed to ensure the project enhances safety, durability, health, comfort and efficiency of the home. Performance measures will be identified that can be applied to each project to ensure success, and the instructor will help identify technologies, products and strategies that are most appropriate for each remodel project and how they can be integrated into the process.

The discussion of energy upgrades for specific remodeling projects will continue in this segment. Participants will also review the important risks to avoid when remodeling that could compromise health, safety or durability of buildings. This segment will also highlight “house as a system” issues that lead to unintended consequences.

This segment will outline the three major technologies that can be used to meet the heating, cooling and ventilation comfort expectations of homebuyers in high performance homes. The session will also identify high efficiency hot water heating technologies that are now available to the industry.