2021 Agenda
Times listed are in the Central Time (CT) zone.
8:30–10:00
Gord Cooke
This workshop (in two parts) will cover elements of building science relevant to cold climate homes; elements such as condensation potential in walls, the comfort impact of window selection, optimized thermal performance of basements and the importance of air leakage control. A decision matrix for selecting mechanical systems will be outlined. The sessions will cover building code trend towards Zero Energy construction and strategies to optimize their decisions along the path to higher performance homes. Participants will have a better understanding of how to build better attics, walls and foundations and how to choose HVAC systems that integrate properly into their homes.
10:30–12:00
Gord Cooke
This workshop (in two parts) will cover elements of building science relevant to cold climate homes; elements such as condensation potential in walls, the comfort impact of window selection, optimized thermal performance of basements and the importance of air leakage control. A decision matrix for selecting mechanical systems will be outlined. The sessions will cover building code trend towards Zero Energy construction and strategies to optimize their decisions along the path to higher performance homes. Participants will have a better understanding of how to build better attics, walls and foundations and how to choose HVAC systems that integrate properly into their homes.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details. Please note that you need to attend the entire session to receive credits (all 3 hours); partial credit cannot be given.
1:00–2:30
Patrick Huelman
This session will explore specific design and technology strategies that Huelman would employ for a Net Zero Energy Home today. For high-performance, net zero energy homes, it is critical to get the building enclosure and mechanical systems right. While renewable energy can be added later, it is not as easy to change the overall efficiency of the building enclosure or HVAC system. The key is to identify cost-effective approaches to low loads and high efficiencies.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
3:00–4:30
Garrett Mosiman
This session will describe ongoing research at the Cloquet Residential Research Facility to study wall insulation upgrade strategies. The research is funded by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. It is aimed at identifying cost-effective strategies that maximize thermal performance while minimizing risk to the existing building components. For year one, a base case wall was identified. It is tested against seven upgrade strategies, with each strategy tested on the north and south. This presentation will present the strategies, monitoring and modeling results, and preliminary cost effectiveness calculations.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
8:30–10:00
Patrick Heulman
As improved construction practices dramatically reduce building enclosure leakage, mechanical systems (i.e. exhaust devices and duct imbalances) can cause significant pressure differentials within the home and across the enclosure. If left unmanaged, these pressures can contribute to performance concerns including combustion safety, comfort, moisture transport, and entry of exterior pollutants (outdoor, soil gases, garage, etc.). This presentation will review critical pressure differentials affecting building performance (comfort, efficiency, durability, indoor air quality, etc.) and identify key equipment and operational contributors that might result in significant pressure differentials in airtight homes. Pressure control strategies including make-up air (supply or exhaust) will be discussed.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
10:30–12:00
Phil Anderson, Jake Selstad, Tony Beres
This session will cover key considerations to ensure the comfort, durability, efficiency, air quality, and low loads are met. High performance heating and cooling examples and quality installation practices will be shown. We will discuss envelope details that lower heating and cooling loads. Indoor air quality is very important and examples of good designs will be fleshed out. We’ll give an overview of the many new home certifications that exist to help guide the entire process and ensure the end results are met. Finally, we will go over some case studies to show some real world examples of all electric homes.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI), UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification (UHI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
1:00–2:30
Scott Wood
The Benefits of Rainscreen Design is an AIA accredited technical seminar. This live presentation investigates the current research and field practices on vapor open (permeable), vented rain screen cladding wall assemblies and their impact to mitigate water long-term intrusion and enhance the drying capacity of the building envelope assembly for the life of the building. We will examine the building and wall assembly and the evolution of the wall assembly. We will also discuss the importance of vented rainscreens, vapor open vs. non-permeable membranes, and a scientific drying capacity study. The session also includes the components for building a rainscreen cavity.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
3:00–4:30
Shawna Henderson
This session discusses how Canadians are approaching deep energy retrofits in low-rise MURBs, using a modified 'EnergieSprong' exterior insulated panelization strategy.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
5:00–6:30
Jukka Kukkonen
Battery technology is advancing so rapidly that it is clear that our transportation future is electric. So far we have only 15 000 EVs in Minnesota but the sales will accelerate fast in the coming years. During this workshop we will talk about where the EV market is right now, which models are coming and how we can start to work on the charging infrastructure. Every change provides opportunities so let’s get ready for this one.
No credits will be offered for this session.
8:30–10:00
Rachel Wagner
What would it take to create cost-effective, well-designed, easy-to-duplicate zero-net energy homes? This presentation outlines a carefully researched and crafted approach to design, materials and assemblies for single family homes based upon building science and years of field experience in high performance, low energy design and construction. This session is for builders and other practitioners ready to embrace the next generation of home building for the next generation.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-Construction Inspector Certification (UCI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
10:30–12:00
Emily McPherson, Alex Haynor, Peter Gephart
In this session, attendees will learn about energy saving air source heat pump technology, how they work, benefits and systems types. There are special considerations for air source heat pumps in Minnesota’s climate and this session will address cold climate considerations. Attendees will also learn about specific installation case studies and hear from an installation contractor on their experience with the technology. Lastly, attendees will learn about rebates and resources available to pursue this technology.
BPI: 1.5 CEUs, MN DoLI: 1.5 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 1.5 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 1.5 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification (UHI).
Check out the credits page for additional details.
1:00–2:30
John Siegenthaler
This presentation examines the details of a modern hydronic system that provides heating, cooling, and domestic hot water from a low ambient air to water heat pump. The system is installed in a new low energy house in upstate New York. It includes radiant panel heating and individually controlled panel radiators. The system operates at low water temperatures, makes use of variable speed high efficiency circulators, and minimizes control complexity. The presentation will also discuss the modeled performance results of the system using differ control strategies.
3:00–4:30
John Siegenthaler
This presentation examines the details of a modern hydronic system that provides heating, cooling, and domestic hot water from a low ambient air to water heat pump. The system is installed in a new low energy house in upstate New York. It includes radiant panel heating and individually controlled panel radiators. The system operates at low water temperatures, makes use of variable speed high efficiency circulators, and minimizes control complexity. The presentation will also discuss the modeled performance results of the system using differ control strategies.
BPI: 3 CEUs, MN DoLI: 3 Code/Energy Hours for Building Officials and Residential Contractors, NARI: 3 CEUs, WI-DSPS: 3 CEUs towards Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification (DCQ), UDC-HVAC Inspector Certification (UHI).
Check out the credits page for additional details. Please note that you need to attend the entire session to receive credits (all 3 hours); partial credit cannot be given.
Cole Carlson
The construction process, combined with building system functions, such as heating, cooling, and lighting, accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the USA. As architects, designers, engineers, and owners, it is our responsibility to implement energy-efficient strategies into the building sector from project conception. In this learning program, you will learn about the AIA 2030/SB 2030 commitments and how we can work together to achieve net zero design. Our goal is to showcase net zero in a new light, reduce confusion, and eliminate potential intimidation.
Jonathan Moscatello
In this session, attendees will learn about the Minnesota ASHP Collaborative program and resources available to grow ASHP business. For the main event, Jonathan Moscatello and Dan Wildenhaus (former installation contractors from the Northwest) will present on how they have had great success growing their businesses around ASHP technology and efficiency. They will share what they have learned around how to generate low cost, high close rate leads and how to prepare your sales process for heat pumps based on their experience.
Jason Edens
Solar energy is a cost effective and appropriate technology that can dramatically augment the performance of residential and commercial building. However, as a site-specific technology, there are significant design-build considerations, particularly in cold climates to ensure proper form and function. This session will cover the suite of appropriate solar technologies and their deployment for long-term energy and economic benefit. We will also discuss assessing sites and the process of identifying the most appropriate technology. Solar energy is a cost effective and appropriate technology that can dramatically augment the performance of residential and commercial building. However, as a site-specific technology, there are significant design-build considerations, particularly in cold climates to ensure proper form and function. This session will cover the suite of appropriate solar technologies and their deployment for long-term energy and economic benefit. We will also discuss assessing sites and the process of identifying the most appropriate technology. Finally, we will cover current utility and state incentives, economics, and other costs and benefits of various solar energy applications.
Ed Lohrenz
Many perceive GSHP systems as “risky” and “expensive”. The design firm they approached may have suggested the amount of borehole they needed would be too expensive to see a good return on investment. Or were told the ground heat exchanger (GHX) got too warm and the heat pumps quit working. A new online feasibility tool can help accurately assess the cost, size and performance of a GHX and predictive monitoring and management of energy loads to the ground help ensure it operates as planned for the life of the building.
Christopher LaForge
Energy Storage is the hot topic in the Renewable Energy world and this connective technology stands to shake up much of the energy industry. We will look into what the terminology of the industry is, what goes into ES System planning including: What the components are that make up an energy storage system, how this technology works, and how the coupling of solar and storage is revolutionizing the energy field. Join us for the next 90 minutes to see: what it is; where it works; where it is going; and how you can be a part of the Third Industrial Revolution!
Peter Lindstrom
The introduction of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to Minnesota has been a game changer for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Since its introduction, more than 300 projects worth over $125,000,000 of projects have been implemented. This places Minnesota fifth in the nation. These projects are win/win, with over $10,000,000 in energy savings and over 500 billion BTUs saved annually. PACE is not only saves money and energy, but it is credited with creating thousands of jobs. With a change to the PACE law, it is now open to new construction which is opening up new possibilities.
Maddie Koolbeck
Energy efficiency measures that shift load can save energy, emissions and make programs more cost-effective. But what happens if load shifting bumps up against policy? New research by Slipstream for MN CARD shares planning scenarios for 14 load shifting measures. Measures include electric vehicles, commercial lighting, industrial demand management, air source heat pumps, and more. We’ll examine future scenarios like more renewable generation and electrification. You’ll leave the presentation with better analytical approaches to apply when planning load shifting measures.