Headaches of HOMEChem: Chemistry and Microbiology of Homes

In partnership with Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, we're spreading the word on the intense dynamics going on in homes around the world. I keep it short and sweet in this 45-minute class on indoor chemistry, and you'll learn lots about chemicals, reactions, particles, and microbes, and the relationship to them of humidity and ventilation.

Come train with me in Atlanta, or online: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/training

Learn more from Santa Fe and Ultra-Aire: https://www.santa-fe-products.com/about-us/santa-fe-ultra-aire-webinar/

Lessons Learned Building High Performance Forever Homes: Factory-Built Modular Home & Self-Build DIY

For the national home performance conference, we presented side-by-side with our longtime friend and collaborator Bill Spohn (https://spohnhome.com/) about our simultaneous building of family forever homes. Pretty different approaches, and yes, this is a long presentation- hope the super nerds out there will enjoy hearing the breakdown.

Find Bill through his company, TruTech Tools: https://TruTechTools.com

Hands-On Training in Building Science at our Atlanta School

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

First Blower Door and Duct Testing Certification Trainings

Our first 8 newly certified DET Verifiers came through our brand new training center at our home in Atlanta! It was a thrill, honestly, since I haven’t given any in-person trainings in over a year (like most trainers). Everyone passed their certification exams, which doesn’t always happen- they have to earn 80% on both written and hands-on exams with the equipment, and do a bunch of geometry calculations that we all forgot since high school.

They all totally rocked the use of the blower door and duct tightness tester, and are ready to rock the houses in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama (no joke, that’s where all these folks work). Super happy also that we didn’t have a bunch of last minute registrations, which used to be the bane of my existence. Sold out weeks ahead of time- very grateful!

A few class stats:

Furthest Traveled: Nashville, TN (thanks DocAir for sending 3 of your crew!)

Funniest Pandemic Hobby: breeding fish

Funniest Place to Keep a Calculator: chest pocket of bib overalls

Number of 100% scores on exam: 2 (25%)

How to PROVE You Build a Healthier Home

Modern homes are not just vulnerable to moisture damage, rot, and microbes- now we also have to worry about the health of the air, and contaminants including viruses. Homeowners are seeking homes with proven safety and breathability- but what does that mean, and how do you deliver it? In this fiery one-hour course, learn key methods for measuring, fixing, and communicating the health of the homes you work on every day.

To learn a LOT MORE, visit our main site: https://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com

See the systems developed by Santa Fe and Ultra-Aire: https://www.santa-fe-products.com/

Watch the first-ever television series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Incredible Craftsmen in Wood, Metal, and Building Science at Watson Springs

Welcome to the workshops of our friends Richard Shrader (http://RShrader.com) and Dr. Landus Bennett (whom you've seen several times before on our channel), the brains and hands behind http://WatsonSprings.com. Relax and tag along on an impromptu hack video tour of some of the most amazing stuff I've seen in my career.

Testing UL Listed Carbon Monoxide Alarms vs. Defender Low Level Upgrade

You probably completely overestimate what your carbon monoxide alarm is protecting your family from- in this quick 'bump test' demonstration, we prove that your family's immediate death might be prevented, but long term health effects from low level CO poisoning are also a huge issue that literally no one but you can prevent.

Check out the CO alarms we recommend: https://www.trutechtools.com/Defender_c_1955.html

Subscribe to Healthy Indoors Magazine: http://HealthyIndoors.com

See the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Career as an HVAC Expert- What Is It?

SMART KIDS, AND PEOPLE WHO KNOW SMART KIDS: we need your help! Meet Kaleb Saleeby, who explains that the day to day work of HVAC is a superhero scientist story. Learn A TON MORE FOR FREE at: http://HVACRschool.com

Check out the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

How to Install LED Tape Channels and Diffusers

I had a bear of a time learning the tricks of this inarguably excellent LED tape lighting from Kichler, but only when using channels and diffusers in our highly customized forever home. For any of you who may try the same thing and want to cry, here's some advice.

See this system of LED tape, channels, and diffuser lenses at: http://Kichler.com

Tweaking our Home's Water System with Chronomite Point-of-Use Water Heaters

I've heard lots of myths and misinformation about water heating, and lots of 'silver bullet' products that don't actually do what they claim. Here's a refresher on a bunch of things that you might not have ever seen or considered before, and the testing to prove they work. Featuring Chronomite instantaneous tankless water heaters with a low flow activation down to 0.2 gpm, microprocessor control, and self-cleaning features, along with our system’s efficient PEX one-pipe plumbing, and even ventilation location selection.

Check out these handy machines at: http://Chronomite.com

The Science Behind Waterproof Bathroom and Shower Tile Installs

Loads of people have had nightmares with cracked tile or rotting from leaks- but it doesn't have to be that way. There are techniques and tools out there to help you build a 100-year tile bathroom floor and shower. Check out our adventure with the Custom Building Products system in our family's forever home. We demonstrate installation details (and inspection tips) for RedGard membrane and Uncoupling Mat, Multi-Surface Bonding Primer, ProLite mortar and Wonderboard. All lighting you see in our house is from Kichler, by the way, if you love it too.

Become a member and support our work exploring the science of homes: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Learn more about this unique performance-tuned house at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Hire Corbett to consult on your own home: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/video-consulting

Ultimate HVAC Install and Testing: High Performance Heat Pump and Ductless Mini-Split

Boy, were we lucky to have these two people help us get our heating and cooling engines running: Kaleb Saleeby from Kalos Services (https://www.kalosflorida.com/) and the HVAC School Podcast, and Brent Ridley from H&M Services in Atlanta (https://handmservicesinc.com/) and the Tool Pros Podcast. These Applied Scientists in HVAC take our Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps (one ductless mini-split, one ducted air handler) from unboxing to perfect performance, using the latest tools and techniques. And thanks to everyone else who helped us with guidance along the way!

Kaleb on the HVAC School Podcast: https://www.hvacrschool.com/author/ksaleeby/

Brent on the Tool Pros Podcast: https://toolpros.libsyn.com/

Mitsubishi HVAC Systems: https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/

Testo Tools: https://www.trutechtools.com/testo

Mueller-Streamline Super-Insulated Duragard Linesets: https://muellerstreamline.com/products/line-sets/

Hercules Equipment Pads: https://herculesequipmentpads.com/

Custom Grilles and Registers: https://stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/