EEBA Academy

This class will discuss mandatory and prescriptive insulation requirements in the IECC, as well as the building science rationale for these requirements.

Energy, climate, materials, and health: What is the connection? And why is it important? Insulation and air sealing are two cost-effective ways to increase the energy efficiency of a home. However, the chemicals that are found in some of these products or used during their production can negatively impact the health of the people who manufacture and install products, as well as those who ultimately live in these buildings. We need a better system of policies and regulations that are protective of human health, but for now, we need professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the materials they use. Building professionals who specify and install materials have the opportunity to make significant impacts on health and the environment by choosing healthier materials.

The built environment has been stagnant in terms of innovation for years. Suddenly, there is a perfect storm brewing forcing change amongst our industry's influencers. The trifecta of escalating material costs, skilled labor shortages, and increasing energy code requirements have combined at once to post a challenge that builders, architects, and engineers are scrambling to address. The good news is the AEC industry can combat this "perfect storm" by optimizing one key component of the building system - and that is the Building Envelope. This presentation will address what elements matter most in the envelope, what solutions exist for envelopes to combat the "perfect storm" and discuss the advantages of offsite/prefabricated vs. site framed building envelope systems.