ACI Solutions for Success
32 Church Street, Suite 204, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Tel 724-627-5200 Fax 724-627-5226
InterNACHI Press Release:
Solutions for Success – A Two-day Training Event - InterNACHI member discount.
Wyndham Syracuse
6301 Route 298
East Syracuse, NY 13057
February 1 – 2, 2006
For Inspectors, Builders, Contractors, Home Energy Raters, Remodelers, and Professionals.
Learn how to increase your business using building science to solve problems
for your customers. Get your CEUs all in one place. Sessions of special interest
for home inspectors are: The Garage Connection, Fixing Wet Basements, Air Sealing:
Priorities & Practices, Insulation: Installation & Performance, Hot Water-Based
Heating Systems: The Good & the Bad, Whole House Auditing: Case Studies, Cathedral
Ceilings & Slopes: Insulation, Air Sealing, & Ventilation, HVAC: New Technology
To Battle Rising Energy Costs, Attached Housing Technical Issues, Getting What
You Pay For: Air Sealing, Duct Sealing, & Insulation
The ACI Solutions for Success conference will be held February 1 - 2, 2006, at
the Wyndham Syracuse, East Syracuse, NY. Below are session descriptions and biographies
for your review. Course methods used will be lecture, PowerPoint, and handouts.
Attendance will be documented on sign-in forms. We understand InterNACHI members
report their attendance online. Certificates will be mailed to attendees. All
sessions are 1.5 hours. See below. After December 1 the sessions will be online
at
www.affordablecomfort.org.
.
Wednesday night participants are welcome to attend the exhibitor reception and
special awards banquet which honors outstanding contractors and builders in New
York’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® and ENERGY STAR® Labeled Homes programs.
Registration fee - $295
Special InterNACHI member rate is $229. Register online to receive an extra $10 discount!
On the online registration form, select “Group 6+”. In the “Comments” box, type
InterNACHI.
For more information contact ACI's InterNACHI rep:
Lovella Burns
ACI Conference Assistant
724-627-5200 x29
Session Descriptions and Biographies
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
W-1 BEST
New Products: Air Sealing & Insulation
How do you evaluate fiber and foam insulation products? How do you determine
if an insulation or air sealing product is appropriate for a specific application?
Hear about issues relating to fire safety, durability, and moisture.
By attending this session, participants will
- Improve your ability to select a product for a specific application
- Gain an understanding of the specifications and standards that relate to insulation
and air sealing products
- Know where to get additional information
Subject matter covered: Applications, air sealing, insulation, fire rating, foam, products, safety,
specifications
Instructor: Bruce Harley, Technical Director of Conservation Services Group (CSG), is a nationally known
expert on building science and energy efficiency. He has worked with and trained
in retrofit, new construction, HERS, codes, and building science since 1990. His
book Insulate and Weatherize was published in 2002 by Taunton Press.
Bruce Harley
Technical Director
Conservation Services Group
40 Washington St.
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (802) 694-1719, Fax: (801) 607-7670
W-1 HVAC
Practical Duct Modifications
Many existing duct systems are blessed with big opportunities for improvement.
Learn to perform duct triage and get results with minimal time and expense. Get
field practical answers to these questions: The temperature rise is too high -
is it the ducts? How do I tell if the problem is in the supply or return? How
can I tell if the furnace is going to cycle on the limit switch if the ducts are
sealed? An eighty thousand BTU input furnace has six, 6” supplies – is that enough?
By attending this session, participants will
1. Be able to recognize duct system flaws that decrease homeowner comfort and
increase equipment performance and durability problems
2. Find out how to quickly determine if a return duct is undersized
3. Learn to use inexpensive tools to quickly evaluate duct performance
Subject matter covered: Airflow, comfort, diagnostics, duct leaks, duct repair, duct retrofits, existing,
priorities, sizing, static pressure, techniques, triage, troubleshooting
Instructors: Nick Milano is a technical field monitor with Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program.
He holds both an HVAC and Hydronics License in OH and has been performing residential
HVAC and insulation retrofits for eight years.
John Jones is Project Manager of equipment and Installation standards, certification development,
energy codes, and trade associations relations at NYSERDA, Albany, NY.
Nick Milano
Energy Research Analyst II
Ohio Department of Development
77 S High St, 26th Fl
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8436, Fax: (614) 466-1864
John Jones
Project Manager
NYSERDA
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: (518) 862-1090, Fax: (518) 862-1091
W-1 OPP
Getting the Most from Your Blower Door
A blower door can do much more than provide the CFM 50 number to put on a form.
Learn how to use the blower door to evaluate a house. Find out how to properly
interpret what it is telling you. Is the air blasting in through the register
a leak to the outside or a disconnected duct in the basement? Is that nasty crawl
space inside or outside of the house?
By attending this session, participants will
1. Get some new ideas for saving time and increasing the speed and effectiveness
of your air sealing work
2. Improve your ability to interpret blower door clues
3. Learn to use the blower door for quality assurance
Subject matter covered: Airflow, diagnostics, duct leakage, interpretation, priorities, productivity,
pressure, techniques, testing, zonal pressure testing
Airflow, diagnostics, duct leakage, interpretation, priorities, productivity,
pressure, techniques, testing, zonal pressure testing
Instructor: Rick Karg is president of R.J. Karg Associates and WxWare Diagnostics, energy management
consultants, in Topsham, ME. He specializes in training related to HVAC equipment
selection, building diagnostics, carbon monoxide, and energy auditing. He has
been working with low income weatherization programs and electric and gas utilities
for twenty years as an educator and consultant. He is the author of Zip Tex ProTM
building diagnostics software for the Texas Instruments TI-86 calculator.
Rick Karg
President
R.J. Karg Associates/WxWare Diagnostics
220 Meadow Rd
Topsham, ME 04086
Phone: (207) 725-6723, Fax: (207) 725-7818
W-1 SOLV
Fixing Wet Basements
Wet basements are a source of aggravation, ailments, allergies, and odors. Understand
the causes, prevention, and cures. Find out when a basement room conversion is
not advisable. Gain insight into how to address below grade living spaces that
were not done properly. Learn to make better choices among the array of solutions
available.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Understand how to minimize mold or mildew problems when converting or building
below-grade living spaces
2. Be aware of options for addressing a problem basement
3. Have a better appreciation for what we know and what we do not know
Subject matter covered: Basement room conversions, behavior, drainage, existing homes, health effects,
moisture sources, mold, products, wall insulation
Instructors: Terry Brennan is the president of Camroden Associates in Westmoreland, NY. He consults and
conducts research and training with a special focus on issues where building science
and human health intersect.
Jim LaRue the owner of The HouseMender, Inc., a home improvement advisory service in Cleveland,
OH, has been troubleshooting residential structures for years, focusing on moisture,
health, and green building in new construction and rehabs. He is consulting with
the National Center for Healthy Housing in the creation of a Healthy Homes Practitioner
Course for public health and building professionals and Cuyahoga County Weatherization.
He is creating audits and specifications for mold/moisture work in homes where
asthmatic children reside.
Terry Brennan
Camroden Associates, Inc.
7240 E Carter Rd
Westmoreland, NY 13490
Phone: (315) 336-7955, Fax: (315) 336-6180
Jim LaRue
President
The HouseMender, Inc.
15818 Chadbourne Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Phone: (216) 991-1088, Fax: (216) 991-1088
W-2 BEST
Air Sealing: Priorities & Practices
Explore solutions to common air sealing challenges. Gain practical ideas regarding
techniques and tools that can be applied in the next air sealing job. Understand
why the most important air sealing is often done (or not done) with a hammer rather
than a caulk gun.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Be able to identify the opportunities often found in story and a half, balloon
framed, ranch, double-wide, and solid masonry homes
2. Be able to determine priorities for air sealing in new and existing homes
3. Understand why air sealing needs to be a part of an approach that addresses
moisture, indoor air quality, and combustion safety concerns
Subject matter covered: Air sealing, blower doors, existing homes, key junctures, new construction, pressure
boundaries principles, priorities, productivity, product selection, specifications,
techniques, thermal boundaries, tips, tools, tricks
Instructor: Keith Williams is the owner of Building Services & Consultant LLC, in Milwaukee, WI, providing
home performance evaluations and assessments for existing homes for the past five
years. He has twenty years of experience as an insulation contractor. Keith is
a qualified Wisconsin home performance specialist, certified home energy rater
and outreach specialist, providing classroom and in-field home performance evaluation
trainings.
Keith Williams
Owner
Building Services & Consultant
PO Box 170671
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 351-1136, Fax: (414) 351-4406
W-2 HVAC
Central Air Conditioning: Design, Installation, & Testing
In recent field research, ninety percent of residential air conditioning units
had either the incorrect charge or incorrect airflow. Explore key issues (system
selection, design, installation, and performance testing), which help ensure the
systems work as intended.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Learn the difference between SEER, COP, and actual efficiency
2. Be able to list the steps to properly design and select a system
3. Understand what field-practical tests can be performed to verify that an HVAC
system is operating within its design parameters
Subject matter covered: Airflow, central air conditioning, refrigerant charge, comfort, design, equipment
selection, diagnostics, efficiency, equipment, distribution systems, heat pumps,
performance, protocol, installation
Instructor: John Proctor, P.E., is president of Proctor Engineering Group in San Rafael, CA, and is a nationally
recognized expert in energy efficiency. He has led commercial and residential
projects for clients such as the California Energy Commission, Southern California
Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Los Angeles Department of Water &
Power, Duke Power of North Carolina, and the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
John is the developer of the CheckMe!® Quality Assurance System that uses computer
artificial intelligence in assisting field technicians to verify the performance
of 30,000 air conditioning systems.
John Proctor
President
Proctor Engineering Group, Ltd.
418 Mission Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 451-2480, Fax: (415) 451-2491
W-2 LIAB
Measuring & Predicting Worst-Case Depressurization
Effective whole house treatments can make a huge difference in the tightness
of a home. In some cases, well-intentioned work can cause undesirable and expensive
consequences. Learn how to measure the worstcase depressurization before and after
the work is complete. More importantly, find out how you can predict what the
result will be before you take on the job.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Learn how to perform the worst-case depressurization test
2. Recognize the importance of incorporating this task in every job you do
Subject matter covered: Carbon monoxide, case studies, CAZ, combustion safety, diagnostics, test in -
test out, whole house, problem solving, protocol, new, existing
Instructors: Anthony Cox is the technical coordinator for the New River Center for Energy Research &
Training (NRCERT), a division of Community Housing Partners, in Christiansburg,
VA. He develops and provides nationwide training in residential energy conservation
and home performance diagnostics for public and private sector staff across the
country. Anthony developed his “House of Pressure” as a training tool to demonstrate
residential performance testing such as blower door, zonal, pressure pan, duct
leakage, combustion appliance zone, and room pressure testing, all of which contribute
to health and safety, building durability, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Jim Fitzgerald is known throughout North America for his expertise in training weatherization
crews for agencies and utilities in over thirty-seven states and provinces. Since
1998 he has been the technical director of the CEE’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
group for the Minneapolis - St. Paul Airport Sound Insulation Program. His responsibilities
include the development of treatments and recommendations, field verification
of procedures, and contractor training and certification.
Anthony Cox
Technical Coordinator
Community Housing Partners/NRCERT
990 Cambria St NE
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 382-5327, Fax: (540) 381-8270
Jim Fitzgerald
Senior Building Analyst
Center for Energy and Environment
212 Third Ave N Ste 560
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1459
Phone: (612) 335-5871, Fax: (612) 335-5888
W-2 SOLV
Using & Interpreting Infrared
If you do final inspections, energy assessments, or diagnose building problems
thermography is a tool to consider. See examples of how IR is being used. Learn
about the new, lower-cost thermal imaging systems now available, including what
they are, what they aren't, and how to evaluate them.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Understand the basics of infrared diagnostics in residential structures
2. Find out how not to be fooled by what you think you see
3. Recognize the value of using infrared thermography in building inspections
and discover the benefits of using the latest infrared technologies, especially
lowercost cameras
Subject matter covered: Assessment, building envelope, diagnostics, equipment selection, equipment options,
heat loss, heat gain, inspections, moisture, assessment, performance, testing,
thermal bypasses, thermal envelopes, thermography, zone testing
Instructors: Rob Spring, partner at Snell Infrared, in Montpelier, VT, has spent more than thirty years
in facilities maintenance and energy analysis of buildings. For the past fifteen
years he has taught people around the world to use infrared thermography as a
diagnostic tool.
New York contractor (TBD)
Rob Spring
Partner
Snell Infrared
100 State St Ste 200
Montpelier, VT 05601-0006
Phone: (802) 229-9820, Fax: (800) 223-0460
NY contractor (To be determined)
W-2 SUCC
Moisture Management for New Homes
Integrate building science-based design principles with construction techniques
and product selection that address durability, resource efficiency, health, and
the environment. Find out how the objectives of green and healthy construction,
durability, and resource efficiency can complement, rather than compete, with
each other.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Recognize the potential for an integrated approach that addresses durable
and healthy construction
2. Learn best practices that can help to prevent moisture problems and failures
from occurring
3. Understand the critical role of the occupant in helping to make sure that
systems are maintained and operating as intended
Subject matter covered: Building science, detailing, design, drainage, drainage plane, durability, flashing,
foundations, materials, mechanical ventilation, new construction, performance,
products, resilience, techniques, wall design, water management
Instructors: Terry Brennan is the president of Camroden Associates in Westmoreland, NY. He consults and
conducts research and training with a special focus on issues where building science
and human health intersect.
Jim LaRue the owner of The HouseMender, Inc., a home improvement advisory service in Cleveland,
OH, has been troubleshooting residential structures for years, focusing on moisture,
health, and green building in new construction and rehabs. He is consulting with
the National Center for Healthy Housing in the creation of a Healthy Homes Practitioner
Course for public health and building professionals and Cuyahoga County Weatherization.
He is creating audits and specifications for mold/moisture work in homes where
asthmatic children reside.
Terry Brennan
Camroden Associates, Inc.
7240 E Carter Rd
Westmoreland, NY 13490
Phone: (315) 336-7955, Fax: (315) 336-6180
Jim LaRue
President
The HouseMender, Inc.
15818 Chadbourne Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Phone: (216) 991-1088, Fax: (216) 991-1088
W-3 BEST
Insulation: Installation & Performance
Find out what simple things can be done in the field to ensure the expected performance
from insulation products. See a demonstration of techniques for blowing insulation
at a density that prevents settling and stops unintended air movement. Learn methods
to verify that insulation is installed effectively.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Learn the latest techniques for installing and verifying the effectiveness
of ceiling, wall, and floor insulation
2. Understand the importance of proper insulation density, installation technique,
air sealing, and quality control
3. Learn about quality assurance from both the perspective of low-income weatherization
and the private sector
Subject matter covered: Attics, bypasses, key junctures, inspection, installation, performance products,
quality control techniques, thermal defects, r-value, thermal boundaries
Instructors: Rick Karg is president of R.J. Karg Associates and WxWare Diagnostics, energy management
consultants, in Topsham, ME. He specializes in training related to HVAC equipment
selection, building diagnostics, carbon monoxide, and energy auditing. He has
been working with low income weatherization programs and electric and gas utilities
for twenty years as an educator and consultant. He is the author of Zip Tex ProTM
building diagnostics software for the Texas Instruments TI-86 calculator.
Dick Kornbluth is president of EnTherm Inc. in Syracuse, NY. He has been an insulation contractor
for twenty-six years. He also serves on the Board of Affordable Comfort, Inc.
and the Building Performance Contractors Association of New York State. Dick’s
company received NYSERDA’s award for “Outstanding Achievement in Home Performance
Contracting” in 2002 and 2003.
Rick Karg
President
R.J. Karg Associates/WxWare Diagnostics
220 Meadow Rd
Topsham, ME 04086
Phone: (207) 725-6723, Fax: (207) 725-7818
Richard Kornbluth
President
EnTherm, Inc.
509 W Fayette St
Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: (315) 474-6549, Fax: (315) 424-6886
W-3 HVAC
Duct Design & Sizing
If you are installing HVAC systems in new or existing homes, this session is
for you. Learn to use procedures and available software to size ducts and select
registers and grills. Discover how to turn duct system improvements into a profit
center and source of increased customer satisfaction and referrals.
By attending this session, participants will
- Learn to list the benefits of a properly designed and sized duct system
- Know how the duct-related requirements of the NYS Energy Code and NYS ENERGY
STAR initiatives impact you
- Find out how to identify the diagnostic tests that verify the performance of
a duct system
Subject matter covered: Airflow, comfort, design, diagnostics, duct leakage, duct sealing, installation,
noise, NY code update, protocol, testing, tools, sizing, static pressure
Instructors: John Proctor, P.E., is president of Proctor Engineering Group in San Rafael, CA, and is a nationally
recognized expert in energy efficiency. He has led commercial and residential
projects for clients such as the California Energy Commission, Southern California
Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Los Angeles Department of Water &
Power, Duke Power of North Carolina, and the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
John is the developer of the CheckMe!® Quality Assurance System that uses computer
artificial intelligence in assisting field technicians to verify the performance
of 30,000 air conditioning systems.
John Jones is Project Manager of equipment and Installation standards, certification development,
energy codes, and trade associations relations at NYSERDA, Albany, NY.
John Proctor
President
Proctor Engineering Group, Ltd.
418 Mission Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 451-2480, Fax: (415) 451-2491
John Jones
Project Manager
NYSERDA
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: (518) 862-1090, Fax: (518) 862-1091
W-3 SOLV
The Garage Connection
An attached garage can be the source of carbon monoxide and other pollutants
entering a house. Pulling air out of the garage can cause combustion appliances
in the house to backdraft. Rooms over garages often have comfort problems. Apply
“House as a System” thinking to develop solutions for several attached garage
case studies.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Learn to measure the airflow between a garage and a house
2. Examine and discuss a variety of solutions for indoor air quality and comfort
problems posed by an attached garage
3. Recognize that there is no single answer to solve the “Garage Connection”
Subject matter covered: Air sealing, attached garage, carbon monoxide, combustion appliances, combustion
safety, comfort, depressurization, diagnostics, duct leakage, health and safety,
IAQ, insulation, mechanical ventilation, pressure boundaries, techniques thermal
defects, zonal pressure diagnostics, ZPD
Instructors: Anthony Cox is the technical coordinator for the New River Center for Energy Research &
Training (NRCERT), a division of Community Housing Partners, in Christiansburg,
VA. He develops and provides nationwide training in residential energy conservation
and home performance diagnostics for public and private sector staff across the
country. Anthony developed his “House of Pressure” as a training tool to demonstrate
residential performance testing such as blower door, zonal, pressure pan, duct
leakage, combustion appliance zone, and room pressure testing, all of which contribute
to health and safety, building durability, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Keith Williams is the owner of Building Services & Consultant LLC, in Milwaukee, WI, providing
home performance evaluations and assessments for existing homes for the past five
years. He has twenty years of experience as an insulation contractor. Keith is
a qualified Wisconsin home performance specialist, certified home energy rater
and outreach specialist, providing classroom and in-field home performance evaluation
trainings.
Anthony Cox
Technical Coordinator
Community Housing Partners/NRCERT
990 Cambria St NE
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 382-5327, Fax: (540) 381-8270
Keith Williams
Owner
Building Services & Consultant
PO Box 170671
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 351-1136, Fax: (414) 351-4406
Thursday, February 2, 2006
T-1 BEST
Mechanical Ventilation for New & Existing Homes BP, Wx, NC, HH
When done right, mechanical ventilation can improve air quality and prevent building
failures. When done wrong, it can cause more problems than it solves... and increase
utility bills. Learn about system design, installation details, controls, occupant
education, and maintenance that make a big difference in long-term system performance
and reliability.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Recognize the importance of occupant education to ensure that a system is
operated and maintained
2. Be aware of the potential and limitations of different types of mechanical
ventilation systems
3. Be better able to install a system that will perform as expected over the
long term
Subject matter covered: Controls, design, IAQ, installation, maintenance, mechanical ventilation, moisture,
performance, positive & negative pressurization, products, sizing, techniques
Instructor: Terry Brennan is the president of Camroden Associates in Westmoreland, NY. He consults and
conducts research and training with a special focus on issues where building science
and human health intersect.
Terry Brennan
Camroden Associates, Inc.
7240 E Carter Rd
Westmoreland, NY 13490
Phone: (315) 336-7955, Fax: (315) 336-6180
T-1 HVAC
Hot Water-Based Heating Systems: The Good & the Bad
Learn about recent advances made in boilers and what factors impact their ability
to perform as intended. This session will address technologies suitable for conventional
hydronic, radiant floors, and warm air heating applications using fan coils, as
well as combined space and water heating. Explore efficiency, longevity, and performance
issues with boilers, low mass tankless hot water generation, and indirect water
heating systems.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Identify appropriate and inappropriate applications for conventional, modulating,
and condensing boilers
2. Differentiate between good and bad systems for a given application
3. Recognize the potential to have a significant impact on heat and domestic
water heating system operating cost and durability through the correct selection
and installation of a hydronic combined system
Subject matter covered: Boilers, combination systems, comfort, DHW, durability, efficiency, heating,
HVAC, installation, performance, products, water to air
Instructor: Skip Hayden is Head, Integrated Energy Systems Lab, in Ottawa, Canada. Since the 1970's,
he has been conducting R&D on efficient residential gas-, oil- and wood-fired
technologies.
A.C. Skip Hayden
Sr. Research Scientist
Advanced Combustion Technologies
1 Haanel Dr
Ottawa, ON K1A 1M1
Phone: (613) 996-3186, Fax: (613) 992-9335
T-1 LIAB
Combustion Analysis: Proper Use of Your Test Equipment
It is not uncommon to find combustion systems in new and existing homes that
have never been tested or verified to perform within code or manufacturer specifications.
Examine the combustion process and proper testing procedures and techniques. Learn
to utilize a combustion analyzer to its full potential and to diagnose problems
with combustion systems.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Have a better understanding of the information displayed by a combustion analyzer
2. Increase your knowledge and understanding of the combustion process
3. Learn about carbon monoxide generation, dispersion, and mitigation
Subject matter covered: Backdrafting, carbon monoxide, combustion, diagnostics, efficiency, emissions,
equipment calibration, health, HVAC, combustion appliance zone (CAZ), heat transfer,
heating systems, HVAC, gas ovens, ranges, spillage, testing, venting
Instructor: Erik Rasmussen, has been an independent service contractor and manager for twelve years and
is a trainer for Bacharach in Trenton, Ontario. He is co-author of Carbon Monoxide: A Clear and Present Danger, and has conducted combustion and carbon monoxide training across North America.
Erik Rasmussen
Technical Education Specialist
Bacharach, Inc.
39 Alfred St
Trenton, ON K8V 2B2
Phone: (613) 921-2685, Fax:
T-1 OPP
Whole House Auditing: Case Studies
Explore case studies of whole house audits to learn how to balance combustion
safety, ventilation, energy savings, and problem resolution. Learn how to involve
the occupants so they buy into the process and thus into the proposed job. This
session is tailored to the audit requirements that are part of the New York Home
Performance with ENERGY STAR® (HPwES) Initiative.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Learn how information gained through the diagnostic tests, the home assessment,
and customer interview can enhance the work scope and minimize liability
2. Explore and discuss strategies to involve and engage the occupant in their
audit process
3. Find out how other contractors address NY HPwES program audit issues, such
as the minimum ventilation guideline and worst-case depressurization
Subject matter covered: Combustion safety, customer communication, diagnostics, energy efficiency, health,
problem solving, productivity, safety, priorities, techniques, whole house
Instructor: Rob de Kieffer is the managing partner of Boulder Design Alliance and has been testing home
performance for twenty years. While working with builders and home energy raters,
he observed a trend of random conditioning of new homes. Rob has conducted extensive
testing to document new home performance. His current activities have focused
on establishing and documenting best practices for HVAC contractors. His recent
work has focused on helping builders meet the new IECC codes, enhancing and implementing the
EPA Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program, and evaluating energy conservation
programs.
Lou Marrongelli is Quality Assurance Manager for Conservation Services Group Inc. (CSG). His
responsibilities are to maintain and improve Quality Assurance procedures for
the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program and for the New York ENERGY STAR
Labeled Home Program.
Rob de Kieffer
Partner
Boulder Design Alliance
3002 Melissa Lane
Boulder, CO 80301-4841
Phone: (303) 604-1296, Fax: (303) 604-1297
Lou Marrongelli
Conservation Services Group
447 New Karner Rd
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 207-4500
T-1 PROF
Managing Paper & Process to Grow Your Business with NY HPwES
Business systems make the difference between productivity and profit or chaos.
Financing is a crucial tool that can make it possible to close a bigger job. Find
out how to develop and maintain systems that allow for paper and jobs to flow.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Gain ideas they can apply immediately to improve their business systems
2. Identify the most common problems that occur with applications for HPwES financing
and learn how to prevent them
3. Recognize mid- and long-term opportunities to improve their business
Subject matter covered: NY HPwES, business systems, data management, financing, process, program requirements,
tracking
Instructors: Energy Finance Solutions staff , Madison, WI, and Darin Hughes
Darin Hughes is the president of Hughesco Inc. in Amherst, NY. He started a small remodeling
company and, over thirteen years, it has evolved into a formidable restoration/new-build
firm using Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®. Utilizing a comprehensive Home
Performance with ENERGY STAR approach, his remodeling/renovation company quadrupled
their services in a one-year period
President/Owner
Hughesco Inc. & GreenHomes America LLC
140 Irwin Place
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 691-4663, Fax: (716) 691-4488
T-2 BEST
Cathedral Ceilings & Slopes: Insulation, Air Sealing, & Ventilation Code
Issues
Discuss techniques and products for insulating and ventilating cathedral ceilings
and sloped walls. Examine the issues; identify the risks. Discuss the code language
and its interpretation. Participate in identifying different solutions that meet
the current New York State building code.
By attending this session, participants will
- Recognize differences in how the national IRC (International Residential Code)
2004 supplement, the current NYS Building Code, and the proposed 2006 New York
State Building Code address cathedral ceilings and sloped walls
- Learn the factors that increase the possibility of moisture failures
- Discover how to describe several techniques that ensure thermal performance and
code compliance
Subject matter covered: Products, techniques, air sealing, insulation, ventilation, codes
Instructor: Bruce Harley, Technical Director of Conservation Services Group (CSG), is a nationally known
expert on building science and energy efficiency. He has worked with and trained
in retrofit, new construction, HERS, codes, and building science since 1990. His
book Insulate and Weatherize was published in 2002 by Taunton Press.
Bruce Harley
Technical Director
Conservation Services Group
40 Washington St.
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (802) 694-1719, Fax: (801) 607-7670
T-2 HVAC
HVAC: New Technology To Battle Rising Energy Costs
Emerging HVAC technologies open new opportunities for programs and contractors.
This session will address gas modulating and oil-fired boiler and furnace advances,
low-loss domestic hot water (DHW) distribution systems, controls, and combo systems.
Are fireplaces and efficient homes compatible? Can we expect to see fuel cells
or other advanced electricity generators in our homes in the near future? Bring
your questions about new products and technologies that you recently encountered.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Recognize the opportunities offered by new HVAC-related products for improved
control, comfort, and efficiency
2. Discover an increased appreciation for the opportunity of combination and/or
advanced systems
3. Be better able to evaluate claims made about new HVAC products
Subject matter covered: Air handlers, boilers, burner technology, combo systems, controls, distribution
options, high efficiency, emerging technologies, filtration, fireplaces, furnaces,
HVAC, integrated systems, pumps, oil technology
Instructors: Thomas Butcher is a mechanical engineer and head of the Energy Resources Division at Brookhaven
National Laboratory. For twenty-five years he has been involved with energy research
programs including advanced technologies for residential heating systems: integrated
heat and hot water performance studies, field evaluation of hydronic system performance,
low emission burner development, condensing boilers, and advanced control concepts.
Skip Hayden is Head, Integrated Energy Systems Lab, in Ottawa, Canada. Since the 1970's,
he has been conducting R&D on efficient residential gas-, oil- and wood-fired
technologies.
Thomas Butcher
Head, Energy Resources Division
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Building 526
Upton, NY 11973
Phone: (631) 344-7916, Fax: (631) 344-2359
A.C. Skip Hayden
Sr. Research Scientist
Advanced Combustion Technologies
1 Haanel Dr
Ottawa, ON K1A 1M1
Phone: (613) 996-3186, Fax: (613) 992-9335
T-2 LIAB
Got Mold?
Learn what conditions support mold growth and how to apply building performance
practices to prevent its occurrence. Explore health impacts, liability and insurance
issues, testing, and worker safety. How do you determine when a mold problem can
be safely addressed by the occupants or your crew, and when to call in the specialists?
By attending this session, participants will
1. Know what precautions to take to reduce mold exposure to occupants and workers
2. Learn the most common conditions that lead to mold problems and the actions
that have the potential to significantly reduce the likelihood of residential
mold problems
3. Discover why testing for mold is often not recommended or appropriate
Subject matter covered: Assessment, building products, clean-up, durability, health effects, IAQ, liability,
moisture, mold, prevention, testing, rot, worker safety
Instructor: Terry Brennan
Camroden Associates, Inc.
7240 E Carter Rd
Westmoreland, NY 13490
Phone: (315) 336-7955, Fax: (315) 336-6180
T-2 OPP
Attached Housing Technical Issues
Build, assess, and treat side-by-sides just like detached dwellings, right? Not
quite. Explore the opportunities, differences, and complications posed by party
walls. How do you interpret a blower door reading when much of the air is coming
from the neighbor’s unit?
By attending this session, participants will
1. Understand what is expected and allowed by codes in attached dwelling and
how that differs from single-family detached homes
2. Learn techniques for air sealing appropriate to attached dwellings
3. Discuss IAQ and combustion safety issues and clarify how the HPwES program
expects these issues to be addressed
Subject matter covered: Air sealing, auditing, combustion testing, diagnostics, fire codes, IAQ, party
walls, sound proofing, priorities, row houses, thermal defects, town houses, worse-case
depressurization
Facilitator: Mark Dyen is senior vice president for Conservation Services Group Inc. (CSG). He is in
charge of the ENERGY STAR® initiatives that CSG is implementing on behalf of NYSERDA
and LIPA.
Instructors: Jim Fitzgerald is known throughout North America for his expertise in training weatherization
crews. Since 1998, he has been the technical director of the Center for Energy
& Environment’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) group for the Minneapolis-St. Paul
Airport Sound Insulation Program. His responsibilities include the development
of treatments and recommendations, field verification of procedures, and contractor
training and certification. He works in sound insulation programs in Minneapolis
and Milwaukee. Over 8000 homes have been completed, inspected and tested. Jim
has established protocols and specifications to address indoor air quality.
Tony Woods is president of Canam Building Envelope Specialists. He has been a pioneer in large
building air sealing and envelope rehab for more than twenty years.
Mark R. Dyen
Senior Vice President, Policy
Conservation Services Group
40 Washington St.
Westborough, MA 01538
Phone: (508) 836-9500, Fax: (508) 836-3138
Jim Fitzgerald
Senior Building Analyst
Center for Energy and Environment
212 Third Ave N Ste 560
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1459
Phone: (612) 335-5871, Fax: (612) 335-5888
Tony Woods
President
Zerodraft/Canam Building Envelope
Specialists Inc
125 Traders Blvd E, Unit 4
Mississauga, ON L4Z 2H3
Phone: (905) 890-5866, Fax: (905) 890-8114
T-2 SUCC
Getting What You Pay For: Air Sealing, Duct Sealing, & Insulation
Can’t find a sub to do the work the way you want it done for a reasonable price?
Do your subs say they are doing it, but closer inspection raises serious questions?
These issues are some of the most challenging aspects of consistently achieving
high performance homes. Learn what to look for in air sealing, duct sealing, and
insulation work that is performed correctly.
By attending this session, participants will
1. Find out how to clearly communicate what is expected on the job
2. Explore ways to achieve more effective working relationships and better performance
from subs
3. Examine the cost of incorporating quality assurance and the higher cost of
not doing it
Subject matter covered: Code changes, communication, implementation, materials, new construction, pricing,
priorities, quality control, RFP’s, specifications, standards, thermal defects,
trades, workflow
Instructor: Rob de Kieffer is the managing partner of Boulder Design Alliance and has been testing home
performance for twenty years. While working with builders and home energy raters,
he observed a trend of random conditioning of new homes. Rob has conducted extensive
testing to document new home performance. His current activities have focused
on establishing and documenting best practices for HVAC contractors. His recent
work has focused on helping builders meet the new IECC codes, enhancing and implementing the
EPA Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program, and evaluating energy conservation
programs.
Rob de Kieffer
Partner
Boulder Design Alliance
3002 Melissa Lane
Boulder, CO 80301-4841
Phone: (303) 604-1296, Fax: (303) 604-1297
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