Archives

Marketing high-performance homes takes more than explaining better systems or listing what they cost. Buyers want to understand what those choices mean for the way they live. In this session, Charlotte Mustard of IMW Group will walk attendees through how to market high-performance homes in a way that feels more human, builds trust, and creates […]

Ready to ditch the “just in case” electric resistance backup? Cold-climate heat pumps have come a long way, but many builders and HVAC contractors still default to electric resistance backup heat “just in case.” This session challenges that assumption and shows how to design and install systems that deliver comfort and reliability without oversized or […]

This session explores three practical approaches–-good, better, and best—for meeting balanced ventilation requirements without relying on a central HVAC system as required in the recently adopted 2026 ORSC. Presenters compare (1) a cost-effective inline supply fan paired with a dedicated exhaust fan, (2) spot ERVs serving key living areas, and (3) a ducted HRV/ERV with […]

This hands-on session demonstrates practical strategies for window installation and flashing integration within modern high-performance wall assemblies. Using both flanged and flangeless window conditions, the session will explore how windows are integrated back to the WRB layer, how openings are prepared in anticipation of exterior insulation, and how sequencing decisions affect long-term water management and […]

This hands-on session focuses on the practical application of exterior insulation in residential wall assemblies. The session will address both the “why” and the “how” of continuous insulation, including thermal performance, condensation control, durability, attachment strategies, and constructability. Multiple insulation types will be discussed to help attendees understand the tradeoffs between vapor-open and vapor-closed approaches […]

This hands-on session introduces the logic and sequencing behind modern wall control layers, with a focus on water-resistive barriers, airtightness strategies, and the relationship between the WRB and the rest of the enclosure. Attendees will walk through practical assembly options, compare mechanically attached and self-adhered approaches, and learn how these decisions affect the layers that […]

Heat pump technology is improving quickly. This session presents six heat pump improvements that will improve comfort, load flexibility, sizing, commissioning, and make it easier to meet new codes and efficiency targets. This presentation prepares builders, HVAC technicians, and program managers by providing insight into what new technologies and resources are emerging for residential heat […]