Building Science


Building science is the collection of knowledge and experience that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings and architecture. It traditionally includes the detailed analysis of building materials and building envelope systems.

Heat Recovery Ventilation Considerations in Zero Net Energy Homes

Marc Rosenbaum discusses heat recovery ventilation considerations for zero net energy homes on the Zero Net Energy Homes course discussion board…
Exhaust-only ventilation home health concerns
Student 1: Do you know of any potential health impacts from living in a depressurized space– such as a home with exhaust-only ventilation?

Marc: You can pull in pollutants from outdoors or the ground (radon), […]

June 6th, 2016|Categories: Building Science, Green Building, Sustainable Building, Zero Net Energy Buildings|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

Venting About Ventilation

There is much debate within the building science community about how much ventilation is enough.
Building science as a discipline has to deal with a lot of messy, noisy data, entrenched mythologies, and strong tendencies towards confirmation bias.

On the other hand, public health as a discipline has to deal with a lot of messy, noisy data, […]

May 24th, 2016|Categories: Building Science, Green Building, Passive House, Sustainable Building|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

HVAC Engineering: Chilled Floors + Humidity

On the Integrated HVAC Engineering discussion board, expert Robert Bean answers questions about chilled floors and humidity considerations and air mixing…
Student 1:  
Chilled floors seems like a great idea, and if you’re going to do a radiant system, you might as well consider cooling and heating.

The humidity, however, seems to be a big concern. Vapor barriers […]

March 23rd, 2016|Categories: Building Science, HVAC Design, Hydronic Heating|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

8 Factors in Building Safe Double Stud Wall Cavities With Cellulose

On the Passive House in the Real World discussion board…
Expert instructor Mike Duclos discusses key factors to building double stud wall cavities (packed with Cellulose) safely

Student 1:
Hi Everyone, I’m excited to get started! I’m interested in looking into wall assembly details to compare and contrast the benefits of each. 
Mike Duclos:
In our area (MA) it is possible that […]

March 17th, 2016|Categories: Building Science, Passive House|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

What’s the Difference Between Energy and Heat Recovery Ventilators?

On the Mastering Building Science discussion board, Allison A. Bailes III, PhD asks students: What is the difference between an ERV and an HRV?
Allison A. Bailes III, PhD: In the homework, I asked, “What is the difference between an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV)?” Let’s address that here and extend […]

February 23rd, 2016|Categories: Building Science, Green Building, Sustainable Building|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
Read More