The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers are joined by John Konstantakopoulos and Joseph Cheung to discuss the challenges of improving airtightness and energy efficiency in Australian homes. The conversation explores the nuances of building construction in Australia, where airtightness and ventilation systems are not always prioritized, leading to major inefficiencies.

John and Joseph share their insights on how to solve common issues in Australian building practices, especially regarding the impact of air leaks on energy waste, comfort, and health. They explain the importance of a whole-building approach to airtightness and ventilation, and how residential buildings could benefit from more awareness and implementation of airtightness testing.

What You’ll Learn

• The impact of air leaks on building performance and energy efficiency
• The role of ventilation in maintaining a healthy indoor environment
• How Australian homes compare to US and UK homes in terms of airtightness
• The challenges faced by Australian builders and how to address them
• Why continuous ventilation is key for airtight buildings
• Strategies for improving airtightness and reducing energy waste in various climates

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00] - Introduction

[05:50] - How did Efficiency Matrix start

[08:38] - Green Building Council, Australia

[14:48] - Common causes of leakage rates and how to solve them

[16:27] - New Products on Efficiency Matrix

[19:06] - Efficiency Matrix isn’t just for testing

[25:43] - Design considerations for the open area and vent

[28:43] - Envelope Integrity Report

[33:43] - Logging issues after blower test

[36:44] - Closing thoughts: EIR website and Subscription

Connect with John K

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkonstan/?originalSubdomain=au
• Company Website: https://efficiencymatrix.com/
• Company website: https://envelopeir.com/
• Company website: https://doorvent.com/

Connect with Joseph Cheung

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-chun-kit-cheung-425ba837/
• Company Website: https://efficiencymatrix.com/

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Ben Walker (Co-CEO,...

The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Sean Maxwell, Scheme Manager at ATTMA Australia & New Zealand, to discuss airtightness in buildings and the challenges of improving energy efficiency. From working with builders on airtightness practices to improve building codes, Sean shares his insights into the evolution of building science and the potential for large-scale improvements in comfort and energy use.

Sean walks us through his journey in building science, including his time with the Energy Star Homes program and his efforts in advancing airtightness testing in Australia. He highlights the importance of both individual apartment and whole-building tests, discusses the role of ventilation systems in airtight buildings, and shares his thoughts on the future of energy efficiency standards.

What You’ll Learn:

• How testing individual apartments can improve indoor air quality and reduce stack effect.
• The importance of airtightness testing in reducing energy waste and improving comfort.
• Strategies for improving building performance in various climates.
• Why continuous ventilation is crucial for modern buildings, and how to implement it effectively.
• Challenges with building codes in different regions and how they impact testing and energy savings.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Introduction to Sean Maxwell and the importance of blower door testing

[01:42] - Sean's background in building science and his journey from New York to Australia

[03:33] - Discussing the challenges of airtightness in buildings and why it’s often overlooked

[05:48] - Common issues causing air leaks: windows, doors, and poor construction practices

[10:20] - How airtightness impacts building comfort and energy efficiency

[13:07] - The importance of ventilation in airtight buildings and strategies for effective implementation

[18:43] - Ventilation strategies: Exhaust fans, ERVs, and occupant-controlled systems

[19:59] - Building code issues and differences in airtightness regulations across regions

[27:19] - The need for collaboration in building science: Sharing knowledge and best practices

[36:37] - The future of building science: Tightening building standards and embracing new technologies

[45:21] - Closing thoughts: How to drive change in building performance and codes for the future

Connect with Sean Maxwell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-maxwell-b332769/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seanamaxwell

Connect with Company:

Website:

The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Denali Jones, Technical Director at the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), to talk about how large buildings are tested for air tightness and where things often go wrong.Denali walks us through his journey from starting out at Retrotec to leading airtightness training across the country. He explains what makes these tests challenging, how contractors can avoid common mistakes, and why having the right training and tools really matters.

Whether you work in building science, test commercial properties, or just want to understand how building air leaks affect energy use and comfort, this episode breaks it all down from spotting hidden gaps to troubleshooting test-day problems like faulty fans or even elevator issues.

• Why some parts of new and old buildings are often forgotten and how that affects test results.
• How Denali helped create the first nationally recognized training for testing large buildings.
• What to check when test results don’t make sense like unplugged equipment or bad setup.
• How testing two floors at a time helps deal with tall buildings and air pressure issues.
• What makes this new standard better than the old ones and how it helps testers and builders do the job right.

[00:00] - Denali’s background and how he got started

[04:50] - First testing jobs and early lessons

[08:00] - Where buildings leak and why

[13:08] - Testing tall buildings and working with city codes

[19:28] - How the ABAA training program came together

[26:49] - The most common mistakes testers make

[33:52] - What’s next for airtightness testing

[37:37] - Why it’s better to bring in testers early

[44:44] - Tips for using fans and setting up safely

[50:12] - Real-world testing results and future research plans

Connect with Denali Jones:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denali-jones-4b6b8375/

Connect with Company:

Website: https://airbarrier.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/air-barrier-association/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abaa_airbarrierassociation/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/airbarrierassociation/?_rdc=1&_rdr#

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