Contact Us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right. 

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!

NEW Science of Home IAQ: Conclusions from 10 Year, $40m Indoor Chemistry Research Project CIE

Corbett Lunsford

If you get a bit lost in this session, here’s our version of an overview that might help: ‘Quick’ Tour of NEW DISCOVERIES About Chemistry of Indoor Environments: https://youtu.be/J2iHOCI2hz4

The Chemistry of Indoor Environments magnum opus took 10 years (and data is still being mined) and we've been the video team for 5 of those. Here's the kickoff to 31 weeks of HOMEChem, CASA, MOCCIE, and much more about what the world has just learned about the science of homes.

Thanks to Bill Nazaroff and Charlie Weschler for being awesome researchers and people. Learn WAY more by subscribing and visit: https://homediagnosis.tv/homechem

Read papers and see the raw research at: https://indoorchem.org/

Home HVAC and Performance Analysis Demo: 2024 'New American Home' for Fancypants

Corbett Lunsford

This vid is a standalone version from the end of the hourlong full IBS tour vid: https://youtu.be/Yf_JuzDaS6Q

Took a bus 45 minutes to a wealthy gated community and told to wait in line 90 minutes to take a tour. To be honest though, I was already pretty annoyed at calling this 'The New American Home' like it's a gift to everyone and not just one CEO's family.

Politics aside, this is a look into how even multi-multi-million dollar homes get it wrong on the performance side sometimes- YES there are good things in here too, and no offense meant to the designers. Everybody's gotta have clients, and rich clients do have their benefits.

Home Builder Show Best & Worst: Science at 2024 IBS KBIS Design & Construction Week

Corbett Lunsford

*Longest video ever put on our channel, very proud and also a little concerned. But I stand behind every bit of this being ONE video- it'll make sense I promise.

This is my annual tour of the International Builder Show where I'm in a tiny minority of commentators who try to dig deeper than just saying 'wow cool' and in fact might piss some people off royally. Whether you get pissed or not, I hope you'll be interested in the deeper dive into the physics, chemistry, and microbiology we always try to bring to the table.

Testing using the Extech VPC-260 6-Channel Particle Counter, FLIR MR277, Aranet4 CO2 sensor, and Sensit P100 CO monitor.

0:26 Solus fire pits

1:44 Fireplace electric alternatives

2:02 Car wash shower head situation

2:09 Gradient ductless minisplit window unit

3:03 Whole house fan salespeople use the HARD SELL

3:49 Artificial topiary sculpture magic (would not put these indoors)

4:03 Rainstick recirculating shower

5:33 Aquafire ultrasonic humidifier fireplace gizmo

6:06 Weather barriers of all kinds

6:20 ForceField and ZIP WRB sheathing application thoughts (FYI cutting on a roof and creating sawdust is super dangerous for tread on any sheathing types)

7:54 Ceiling fan alternative

8:01 Radiant barrier coated foam insulation installation thoughts

8:29 Thermal Grip Exterior Insulation Fasteners

9:28 Mesh rain screens from Ben Obdyke and others

10:24 Kitchen exhaust hood design thoughts

11:57 Ceiling fan alternatives

12:05 Break and check CO2 in convention hall (and my airplane next day)

12:34 ERV labels and OEM re-labeling (this can be a very good thing)

13:36 Testing Broan bath fans and new AI Series ERV design with REVERSEABLE FLOW

16:09 Rockwool, Havelock sheep wool, and TimberHP wood wool insulations (FYI the carpenter ants DO burrow into my borate treated EPS insulation in the TinyLab)

17:53 Vent Out bath fan terminations and installation mistake potentials

18:47 Beware of air cleaners that rely on electronics

19:34 Towel warmers can have impacts on load calcs for HVAC

19:59 Lennox shout out

20:03 Meetup with our Patreon members

20:59 Essential oil diffusers are bad news even when they're free giveaways

21:07 Beautiful ductwork

21:16 Custom metal HVAC grilles from Architectural Grilles

21:27 Ice bath research shows salad bowl to the face works just as well

21:51 New HVAC technology can make each room in your home a different temp?!?

22:11 Aprilaire's new ERV, evaporative humidifier, and the reality of UV lamp sterilization

25:17 LiteCon aerated concrete panels

26:07 80% of innovations in the building industry personified in Pella's new installation clips

27:04 Fireproofing with Vulcan Vents

30:13 Retrotec's NEW lightweight battery powered blower door & $400 1-channel manometer

32:06 Panasonic ERVs

33:55 Sashco sealants (why are there SO many different kinds?)

37:24 Tiny Homes just keep on coming (here's what's missing though)

40:50 'The New American Home' performance analysis

59:38 AeroBarrier and the leakier blower door test phenomenon

1:01:38 HVAC performance data FAIL for not pushing high enough temps

HVAC Design Softwares with Kwik Model's Russ King: Building Performance Podcast #92

Corbett Lunsford

Today we talk with HVAC design legend Russ King (https://kwikmodel.com) about how to trim the fat out of heat load calculations in Manual J (and how you sometimes can't), along with fine points on duct design, grille selections, and a brand new movement in software to help homeowners perform their own load calculations (https://DIYloadcalcs.com).

For more podcast interviews: https://BuildingPerformancePodcast.com

HVAC Replacement: Ditching an Old Furnace and A/C for Mitsubishi Heat Pump with HyperHeat

Corbett Lunsford

My parents' home was due for an HVAC upgrade, so we went with the same system we put in our own forever home- a Mitsubishi P-series ducted heat pump. Here's the whole design and installation process squeezed into about 15 minutes for your education and amusement.

Thanks to Ryan Burrell and Mike Smith, who are sadly no longer at Mitsubishi as of publication of this vid.

Brent Ridley, Mario and Hugo at H&M Services are at: https://handmservicesinc.com/about-us/

See more about HVAC Science: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq5yJOp-kliEoYVML8dS1G2f

Watch all the videos in this home's renovation series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq5hHF5Do4it9Q88Xd0aGhs4&si=l2WtkbimWTYSXQRw

Join our Patreon group and be part of the best year-round building science conference in the world: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

ERV Inspection, Fixes, and Home Ventilation Advice from a High Mountain Crawlspace

Corbett Lunsford

What happens in a radiant-heated home when the central ventilation system is out of sight and out of mind? These installation mistakes are VERY typical in my experience, so please always double check that every component in the system is selected and installed correctly, from the outdoor vent covers to the ducting to the placement of the unit for ease of maintenance.

Check out my deep dive course on Ventilation Design and Installation: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

Join our Patreon team and be part of the longest-running monthly applied building science conference in the world: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Learn TONS more about ventilation with ERVs and all the other types of machinery here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq4znTQKHdqvYKOhH-w05UJe

See more home performance from around the world here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq4I_Bjpvmb1Z39Y0uEMGEC9

High Mountain Homes: Mud Room Arrangements, Drying Room, Roof and HVAC Tips

Corbett Lunsford

Homes at high elevations in deep snow have special needs, and here are some of the differences I noticed at first- deeper look into the ventilation system in this house in the next video.

Join our Patreon team and be part of the longest-running monthly applied building science conference in the world: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Take my deep dive Ventilation Design & Installation Course: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

See more home performance from around the world here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq4I_Bjpvmb1Z39Y0uEMGEC9

HVAC Design Demo: Humidity Control across the USA using Weather Data from ASHRAE-meteo.info

Corbett Lunsford

Using my favorite weather data tool (http://ashrae-meteo.info), I demonstrate some of the ins and outs of actual historical humidity data from 'sunny' Florida, 'frigid' Minnesota, 'dry heat' Arizona, and the 'Rocky' Mountains. Hope you enjoy the nerd out as much as I do.

I donated to the guy who runs the site, and I hope you do too!

Join our team and become part of our ongoing conference on applied building science: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Download my print-ready Psychrometric Wheel Calculator at: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

Here are the specific weather stations we look at in the video:

KEY WEST, FL: http://ashrae-meteo.info/v2.0/?lat=24.5537&lng=-81.7879&place=%27%27&wmo=722010&si_ip=IP&ashrae_version=2021

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: http://ashrae-meteo.info/v2.0/?lat=45.062&lng=-93.351&place=%27%27&wmo=726575&si_ip=IP&ashrae_version=2021

PHOENIX, AZ: http://ashrae-meteo.info/v2.0/?lat=33.417&lng=-112.683&place=%27%27&wmo=720644&si_ip=IP&ashrae_version=2021

BOULDER, CO: http://ashrae-meteo.info/v2.0/?lat=40.0354&lng=-105.5409&place=%27%27&wmo=745200&si_ip=IP&ashrae_version=2021

HOW TO NOT GET SCREWED: Advice for Renters/Mobile Homes/Insurance/Lawsuits: Ep 311 of HOME DIAGNOSIS

Corbett Lunsford

Are we doing a good job preparing for, and recovering from disasters? Whether it’s a personal disaster with physics, chemistry or microbiology in your own home, or floods and fires that cross state lines, it’s become clear to us the answer is: we could do better. There are some problems baked into the system of disaster preparedness and recovery itself- in renting vs. owning property, insurance claims, lawsuits and even mobile home construction standards (sounds boring, is definitely not). Let’s talk about why the problems exist, how to avoid them, and what to do if you need to fight for your family’s future in a safe and healthy home.

Join our team and keep this show independent: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Featured researchers and experts: 

Lori Peek, Social Scientist at University of Colorado- Boulder

Andrew Whelton, Water Safety Researcher at Purdue University

Elaina Sutley, Disaster Resilience Researcher at Kansas State University

Jennifer Bridge, Disaster Resilience Researcher at University of Florida

Bill Lazar, Executive Director at St. Johns Housing Partnership (https://www.sjhp.org/)

Susan Giddens, Affordable Rehab Manager at St. Johns Housing Partnership

Anil Mittal, Moldy Home Survivor in Houston TX

Trey Flournoy, Property Insurance Attorney

Also featuring lots of footage courtesy of Creative Commons and the US DOD. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.  

Dive deeper at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/episode-311-equal-opportunity-disaster

Kitchen Ventilation System Inspection 3 YEARS IN: Under-Counter Make Up Air & Greasy Duct Silencer

Corbett Lunsford

A lot of our audience have been asking about how our high performance forever home in Atlanta is 'holding up'. Had quite a few challenges about this kitchen exhaust system (which has a mineral wool silencer built in) and the make up air under the cabinets (which breaks one of my own rules about make up air placement). Here's your peek behind the scenes of our building science experiment after 3 years of hard living with 3 kids and 2 cats.

Join our Patreon team and be part of the longest-running monthly applied building science conference in the world: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

See the original install videos here:

Airtight Home Ventilation for the 21st Century with Fantech: Kitchen Exhaust, Make Up Air, Radon etc

https://youtu.be/fOTJmUhghIo

How to Install a Fantech Kitchen Exhaust Hood Liner

https://youtu.be/h7eXuwkfDm0

How to Design, Install, and Test a Perfect Kitchen Exhaust and Make Up Air System

https://youtu.be/bMkvCn1sGvk

3 Rules for Kitchen Make Up Air Systems: HVAC Training for Home Ventilation that Performs

https://youtu.be/36eMZNyAlGY

Massive Mistakes in Make Up Air for Homes

Corbett Lunsford

After having several clients and colleagues majorly underestimate the amount of dampered make up ducts needed to relieve the suction pressure of kitchen fans on an airtight home, I decided we need to talk about this again. Here's the ins and outs of Broan's Make Up Air Damper Calculator (at https://www.broan-nutone.com/en-us/home/specifier-tools), and how weird it turns out if you use SIMPLIFIED inputs instead of DETAILED inputs.

Take my amazing self-paced Ventilation Design & Install course: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ventilation

Consult with me on your own project: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/video-consulting

Watch the world's first TV series on the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv