The Center for EcoTechnology provides training on high performance construction techniques that incorporate the latest building science. Our workshops provide relevant, interesting, technically accurate information on a variety of topics.

High R-Value Walls Workshop

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This one-day workshop will enable participants to design and build durable and effective high R-value walls and to explain these walls to customers, code officials, and others.  High R-value walls are an important strategy for meeting the energy efficiency requirements of zero energy homes, deep energy retrofits, Passive Houses, and stretch energy code-compliant homes.

Topics include:

• Definition of high R-value walls
• Thermal bridging, heat loss, and materials
• Overview of a high R-value wall options
• Benefits and costs of building high R-value walls
• Construction details for rigid exterior foam walls
• Construction details for double stud walls
• Moisture management in high R-value walls

Workshop includes handouts, lunch, and 1 day of classroom instruction with high R-value mock-ups.  Continuing education hours include 5.5 hours for Massachusetts CSL, 5.5 hours for AIA, and 3 hours for BPI.

Building an Airtight House Workshop

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This one-day workshop will enable participants to design and build airtight houses and to identify how air tightness must be addressed at each stage of construction.  By following the recommendations in this training, participants will be able to meet the new air tightness standards in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Topics include:

• Air tightness requirements in building codes and energy efficiency programs
• Blower door tests and typical results
• Building envelope and types of air leakage pathways
• Framing techniques to reduce air leakage at walls, floors, attics, and basements
• Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and drywall techniques to reduce air leakage
• Other air sealing and insulation techniques
• Designing airtight houses
• Mechanical ventilation requirements

Workshop includes handouts, lunch and 1 day of classroom instruction.  Continuing education hours include 5.5 hours for Massachusetts CSL, 5.5 hours for AIA, and 3 hours for BPI.

IECC 2012 Overview Workshopopens IMAGE file

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is used by many states to govern base building code and energy conservation programs. The most recent version of the code, IECC 2012, includes some challenging new standards, especially those for building air tightness and duct leakage. 

This 2-hour workshop provides an overview of the major requirements of IECC 2012 and some interpretation of what these new standards will mean in practice.  What will builders have to do to comply with the new requirements?  How will the standards affect HVAC contractors and code officials?

Topics will include:

• IECC 2012 implementation
• Air leakage requirements
• Duct leakage changes
• Mechanical ventilation requirements