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3398 Washington Road
Atlanta, GA 30344
USA

773.398.5288

Advanced residential construction and home improvement consulting and owner's advocacy in Atlanta, using the latest building performance diagnostic and modeling techniques and tools. Airtightness, insulation, HVAC, ventilation, moisture, and air quality and EMF consulting for homeowners and building professionals alike.

Videos/Podcasts/Articles

Home performance articles and stories from the field with internationally respected building forensics guru Corbett Lunsford at the Building Performance Workshop. Hear new episodes of the Building Performance Podcast, see new videos from the Home Performance YouTube channel, and learn all about how diagnostic testing (more than an 'Energy Audit') can make home improvement and new home construction a proven process!

Filtering by Tag: insulation

Bath Fan and Duct Inspection Tips for Restoration After a House Fire

Corbett Lunsford

Our friend Shawn had a fire disaster last year, and though it’s a terrible loss he’s helping us and our audience learn from the experience. Here’s a quick preview of what will be coming in Season 3 of Home Diagnosis. Here we point out two things to watch out for- one good, one bad. Easy to inspect a construction site if you know how things are supposed to work! And Shawn’s awesome fitness hammers can be seen at: https://bamfhammer.com/

The Future of House Wrap: a Stronger, Insulated, and More Airtight Envelope

Corbett Lunsford

At the Tallwood Design Institute at Oregon State University, we found a mockup built by our friend Mark Fretz, whom you'll be hearing more from. This is an experimental use of Mass Plywood Panels (MPP) and wood-fiber insulation for multifamily buildings and other homes.

One note: they don't seem to have termites up there, so this would be extra experimental around Atlanta, where we certainly do have burrowing insects of all kinds. Season 3 of 'Home Diagnosis' coming soon: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Join our members and become part of the making of this show: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

How to Choose the RIGHT Windows for Your Home with Energy Modeling

Corbett Lunsford

FROM ‘HOME DIAGNOSIS’ SEASON 2 EP5: To avoid the extreme sales and marketing tactics we all see every day, we need science and measurement. Here's a quick tour through the evolution of homes (how homes work and why), the basics of energy modeling to compare how different home improvements will perform in the long run, and how the windows should install and function.

Every place is different, every home is different, every family is different- one size never fits all. To watch this entire episode about the science of doors and windows: https://homediagnosis.tv/episode-205-this-little-light-of-mine

Join our team for as little as $5/month and become part of the frontier exploring the science of homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Uncomfortable Homes Explained: How Air Sealing, Insulation, HVAC and Thermal Mass Actually Works

Corbett Lunsford

From the upcoming Season Two of 'Home Diagnosis': through a 5-day recording of temperature, humidity, and dewpoint with a datalogger, see the actual performance curves of five built environments on our property. Watch the evolution of primitive to advanced built environments, from an open-air workshop to a lived-in high performance home- the effect of air sealing and insulation alone is pretty incredible when you see it like this.

Become a member and help support this show: http://patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

See more about Home Diagnosis TV series: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Hands-On Training in Building Science at our Atlanta School

Corbett Lunsford

Welcome to the training center of our dreams! In this multi-use space at our newly-constructed high performance home in Atlanta’s College Park neighborhood, we’re hosting professional and DIY crowds who want to get hands on with the science of homes: design, installation, and testing.

Come learn about diagnostics, ventilation, air tightness, HVAC, ductwork, blower door testing, infrared thermal photography, moisture investigation, and much more in this state-of-the-art contaminant controlled room. Our balanced Energy Recovery Ventilation system, HEPA filtration loop, and dedicated dehumidifier all work with stellar airtightness and insulation to create a clean, quiet classroom only 5 minutes from the busiest airport in the world.

Check out our upcoming courses: https://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com/training

Forever Home Product Preview

Corbett Lunsford

Welcome to the final sprint to the finish on this scientifically incredible forever home of ours. Here's what's to come in this last 3 months of our family build (product highlights linked below).

Kichler Lighting: https://kichler.com/

Fanimation: https://fanimation.com/

RailFX: https://railfx.net/

Miele Appliances: http://mieleusa.com/

Elite Water Systems: https://elitewateroftexas.com/

CBP Tile System: https://custombuildingproducts.com/

Thermory Wood: https://thermoryusa.com/

Mitsubishi HVAC: https://mitsubishicomfort.com/

Fantech Ventilation: http://fantech.net/

Ultra-Aire Dehumidifiers: https://santa-fe-products.com/

TZOA Haven: https://tzoa.com/

Chronomite Water Heaters: https://chronomite.com/

Testing for Toxic Chemicals in Duct Insulation

Corbett Lunsford

The question: is what I’m smelling hurting me or not? Explore the material science of insulation that smells like cat pee in this fun chemical deep dive with Dr. Alice Delia, laboratory director at Prism Analytical Technologies.

Do this testing yourself at: http://pati-air.com

Support our work exploring the science of homes at: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Electrical Wiring for our High Performance Home

Corbett Lunsford

This video will probably raise more questions they didn't know they had for most people, but we wanted to at least take a shot at showing you some of the fascinating things about the electrical wiring system in our forever home. Thanks to Bulldog Electrical Contractors for being the kind of contractors that everyone should aspire to be.

For more on this build, visit: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

How (and Why) to Wrap a House in Continuous Insulation: Rockwool ComfortBoard

Corbett Lunsford

To control a home's heat bleed, noise pollution, and moisture issues, making the enclosure continuously insulated helps a lot, especially with a rain screen incorporated. See the details on how Rockwool (aka Roxul) ComfortBoard 80 is installed on our home.

To see the cost-benefit computer model that explains the energy side, watch this: https://youtu.be/aSuPieuKWZI

More on this build at: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Check out Rockwool options at: http://Rockwool.com

See 475 High Performance Building Supply tapes at: http://FourSevenFive.com

How to Attach a Deck with Exterior Insulation: Maine Deck Bracket

Corbett Lunsford

We researched details on attaching a deck securely without sacrificing insulation continuity, and even consulted with Matt Risinger, until we happened on a solution we loved- funny enough, the makers of the Maine Deck Bracket don't even target high performance homes with exterior insulation in their advertising. But it's exactly what we were looking for.

Learn more about the Deck Bracket at: http://DeckBracket.com

More on this build at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Radiant Barrier: How Does It Work?

Corbett Lunsford

'Home Diagnosis' co-host Corbett Lunsford uses an infrared thermal camera to demonstrate how a radiant barrier works. This one is built into the Thermostat roof sheathing, and it needs to be kept clean and have an air gap against the radiant barrier coating.

More on Thermostat at: http://BuildGP.com/thermostat