Tag: Building Science

Webinar – Where Building Science Meets HVAC: Improving Whole-Home Performance

Where Building Science Meets HVAC: Improving Whole-Home Performance

Date & Time
Nov 18, 2026 12:00 PM in
Description
An HVAC system is only one part of a home. Insulation, air leakage, windows, ducts, ventilation, moisture, solar exposure, and occupant behavior can all affect how well heating and cooling equipment performs. When these conditions are overlooked, even properly installed equipment may struggle to provide expected comfort, efficiency, humidity control, and indoor air quality. Designed for HVAC professionals who are new to building science, this webinar will introduce the house-as-a-system approach and explain how building conditions influence HVAC loads and performance. Using practical examples, participants will learn what to look for before recommending or replacing equipment, how improvements to the home can affect HVAC needs, and when coordination with a building performance professional may improve the outcome. Learning Objectives: – Explain how the building enclosure and HVAC system work together. – Identify building conditions that affect HVAC sizing and performance. – Recognize how coordination between HVAC and building improvements can improve comfort, safety, and efficiency.

Virtual Training – Building Science Principles

ONLINE Building Science Principles (E262)

By Building Performance Center
Thu Oct 1, 2026 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM PDT
Online, Zoom
Select tickets
Overview

This Building Science Principles course is a 1- day training designed to introduce weatherization…

A Note About Ticket Types:

There are three different Ticket Types. You will need to choose the appropriate one in order to register.

WA State Weatherization (WX) Agency, Tribal, or WA State Department of Commerce Staff:

Those who are employees of a Commerce-recognized WA State Wx Agency, a staff member of one of WA State’s Tribes (with approval by Commerce), or Commerce staff. The list of Commerce-recognized WA State Weatherization Agencies can be viewed here.

WA State Wx Agency-Associated Contractor:

Contractors working under one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above). At registration, you will be required to list the WA State Wx Agency(ies) you are associated with.

General Public/Non-Associated Contractor:

Those who neither work for nor under (as a contractor) one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above).

 

Building Science Principles

IMPORTANT: This course is NOT the prerequisite to taking BPI’s Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Field Exam. If interested in the prerequisite (BPI Building Science Principles (BSP) exam and resulting Certificate of Knowledge), please visit BPI.org/building-science-principles

BPI CEUs: 6.5

This ONLINE Building Science Principles course is a 1-day training designed to introduce weatherization and building science principles. Students will participate in online instruction referencing the Building Performance Institute’s Building Science Principles Reference Guide.

It is recommended that a Building Science Principles guide be purchased for each student or for each agency/company. The structure of the course is built around this textbook and is helpful for study and note taking.

Resources:

• BPI Building Science Principles Guide ($$)

• NREL Standard Work Specifications

Course Content & Objectives:

• Describe both the background and major principles of weatherization

• Describe interrelation and affects of building science on “house as a system”

• Describe heat transfer and control of heat movement

• Describe air movement and identify processes of air sealing

• Identify moisture movement, it’s effect on a home, and control options

• Identify mechanical systems and their main purposes

• Summarize energy audits including assessing baseload usage, doors, windows, and renewables

• Describe the audit process and recognize the required importance and data for energy modeling

• Identify appropriate weatherization measures based on Washington state guidelines

Course Requirements:

Technology

• Ability to download documents or access documents as needed

• BPC provided online Learning Management System – Moodle link to be sent by BPC

Expectation of attendance and class participation

Prerequisites and Work Experience:

• None necessary

Assessments and Grading:

All assessments will be multiple choice question style

• In-progress assessment activities throughout

• One final assessment

• Candidate must achieve a 70% or higher to pass the final assessment

 

Virtual Training – ONLINE Healthy Housing Principles

ONLINE Healthy Housing Principles (E212)

Wed Sep 16, 2026 8:30 AM – Thu Sep 17, 2026 12:00 PM PDTOnline, Zoom
Select tickets

ONLINE Healthy Housing Principles (E212)

Wed Sep 16, 2026 8:30 AM – Thu Sep 17, 2026 12:00 PM PDTOnline, Zoom
Select tickets

IMPORTANT: The BPI Healthy Housing Principles online exam will NOT be offered at BPC after this course. If interested, please visit BPI.org to register for and complete the exam.

————-

A Note About Ticket Types:

There are three different Ticket Types. You will need to choose the appropriate one in order to register.

WA State Weatherization (WX) Agency, Tribal, or WA State Department of Commerce Staff: Those who are employees of a Commerce-recognized WA State Wx Agency, a staff member of one of WA State’s Tribes (with approval by Commerce), or Commerce staff. The list of Commerce-recognized WA State Weatherization Agencies can be viewed here.

WA State Wx Agency-Associated Contractor: Contractors working under one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above). At registration, you will be required to list the WA State Wx Agency(ies) you are associated with.

General Public/Non-Associated Contractor: Those who neither work for nor under (as a contractor) one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above).

 

ONLINE Healthy Housing Principles

BPI CEUs: 13

Course Description:

This Healthy Housing Principles course is a 1.5-day (10 hours of instruction) training designed to introduce and reinforce the principles of a healthy home including the “Keep It…” principles. Students will participate in online instruction based on the Building Performance Institute’s Healthy Housing Principles Reference Guide.

Resources:

BPI Healthy Housing Principles Guide

Course Content & Objectives:

  • Describe the importance of a clean home and strategies to keep it clean
  • Identify and explain moisture impacts and access points and simple steps to control moisture
  • Identify and describe pests and ways to control pest activity including IPM
  • Identify contaminants and their access points including strategies to control
  • Describe home safety concerns and resources to prevent them
  • Explain health impacts of air quality and the use of ventilation to remediate
  • Explain thermal control and the health effects of uncontrolled heating and cooling
  • Describe the effects of irregular or regular maintenance, areas and steps to maintain a home

Course Requirements:

· Technology

  • Access to Zoom for course instruction
  • Ability to download documents or access documents as needed
  • BPC provided online Learning Management System – Moodle link to be sent by BPC
  • Expectation of attendance and class participation

Prerequisites and Work Experience:

  • None necessary

Assessments and Grading:

  • All assessments will be multiple choice question style
  • In-progress assessment activities throughout
  • One final assessment
  • Candidate must achieve a 70% or higher to pass the final assessment

Agenda:

Day One

8:30AM – 12:00PM – breaks included

· Overview of Training

· What is a Healthy Home?

· Keep it Clean

· Keep it Dry

12:00PM – 1:00PM Lunch On your own

1:00PM – 4:00PM – breaks included

· Keep it Dry cont’d

· Keep it Pest Free

· Keep it Contaminant Free

· BREAK

· Keep it Contaminant Free cont’d

· Keep it Safe

Day Two

8:30AM – 12:00PM – breaks included

· Keep it Ventilated

· Keep it Comfortable

· Keep it Maintained

· Washington State Healthy Homes Program

· Discussion / Evaluations

Virtual Seminar – Building Science Fundamentals

American Institute of Architects

Building Science Fundamentals

AVAILABLE: Live Virtual Seminar

16 AIA CEU credits

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
16 LU|HSW

Register Now

Price: $595.00

Limited Number of Spots

Building Science Fundamentals is a LIVE! virtual seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy-efficient, affordable, and healthy buildings. Our past registrants have benefitted tremendously from the interactive sessions with Dr. Lstiburek where questions are encouraged. Because of that, we limit attendance to 50 or so. Each $595.00 series consists of 4 afternoons of instruction. Upon completion of the seminar, members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will receive 16 LU|HSW posted directly to the AIA Provider website.

The time for the sessions will be from 1:00-5:00 pm EST.

Dr. Joseph Lstiburek will discuss building science principles (such as the control of heat, air, and moisture and IAQ) and show you how to apply them to low-energy enclosure design, advanced HVAC systems, forensic investigations, and the repair and retrofit of existing buildings.

The Fundamentals class has been attended by thousands of builders, architects, engineers, building science consultants, building code officials, facility managers, building product manufacturers, and government officials.

Agenda

Session One

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Session Two

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Environmental Separation The Myth of the Dew Point
Definition of a Building Roofs Vented and Unvented
The Effect of Climate Hygric Buoyancy
The Perfect Wall Ice Dams
The Water Molecule Basements
Relative Humidity and Vapor Pressure Crawlspaces Vented and Unvented
Air Flow and Vapor Diffusion Slabs and Flooring
Rain
Capillarity

Session Three

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Session Four

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Stucco Failures Retrofits
Pressure and IAQ Mass Buildings
Buildings as 3-D Airflow Networks Freeze Thaw
Controlling Pressures and Pathways Interior Foundation Retrofits
Stack Effect and Compartmentalization Historic Building Limitations
HVAC Frame Buildings
Part Load and Humidity Control Deep Energy Retrofits
Central Systems vs. Distributed Systems

 

REGISTER HERE

Virtual Training – Whole-Home Humidification Fundamentals

Whole-Home Humidification Fundamentals

June 23 at 8 AM ET
Maintaining proper indoor humidity is essential for comfort, health, and HVAC system performance—especially during the heating season. This live virtual training provides HVAC professionals with a practical overview of whole-home humidification and the role humidity control plays in creating balanced indoor environments.

Participants will explore the fundamentals of relative humidity and learn why maintaining appropriate moisture levels is critical for occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and the protection of building materials. The session will introduce the most common residential humidifier technologies—including bypass, fan-powered, and steam systems—and explain how each integrates with a home’s HVAC system.

In addition to system fundamentals, the course will cover key installation considerations, routine maintenance practices, and common troubleshooting strategies that help ensure reliable humidifier performance.

By the end of the session, participants will better understand how properly designed, installed, and maintained humidification systems support healthier indoor environments while improving comfort and HVAC system effectiveness.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Explain the role of humidity control in residential indoor comfort and health
  • Understand the fundamentals of relative humidity and seasonal moisture challenges
  • Identify common whole-home humidifier types and how they operate within HVAC systems
  • Recognize key installation and maintenance considerations for reliable system performance
  • Apply basic troubleshooting strategies to support effective humidification

Price:

Non-member: $169
Bronze: $152 Silver: $137 Gold: $123

Course Length:

1 hour

Register Now

Seattle, WA – The Science of Building Enclosures

The Science of Building Enclosures

June 24 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Education Session

THIS SESSION IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Details

Venue

Organizer

Virtual Training – Building Science Principles

ONLINE Building Science Principles (E204)

By Building Performance Center
Online event

Overview

This Building Science Principles course is a 1- day training designed to introduce weatherization…

A Note About Ticket Types:

There are three different Ticket Types. You will need to choose the appropriate one in order to register.

WA State Weatherization (WX) Agency, Tribal, or WA State Department of Commerce Staff:

Those who are employees of a Commerce-recognized WA State Wx Agency, a staff member of one of WA State’s Tribes (with approval by Commerce), or Commerce staff. The list of Commerce-recognized WA State Weatherization Agencies can be viewed here.

WA State Wx Agency-Associated Contractor:

Contractors working under one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above). At registration, you will be required to list the WA State Wx Agency(ies) you are associated with.

General Public/Non-Associated Contractor:

Those who neither work for nor under (as a contractor) one of the WA State Wx Agencies (see above).

Building Science Principles

IMPORTANT: This course is NOT the prerequisite to taking BPI’s Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Field Exam. If interested in the prerequisite (BPI Building Science Principles (BSP) exam and resulting Certificate of Knowledge), please visit BPI.org/building-science-principles

BPI CEUs: 6.5

This ONLINE Building Science Principles course is a 1-day training designed to introduce weatherization and building science principles. Students will participate in online instruction referencing the Building Performance Institute’s Building Science Principles Reference Guide.

It is recommended that a Building Science Principles guide be purchased for each student or for each agency/company. The structure of the course is built around this textbook and is helpful for study and note taking.

Resources:

• BPI Building Science Principles Guide ($$)

• NREL Standard Work Specifications

Course Content & Objectives:

• Describe both the background and major principles of weatherization

• Describe interrelation and affects of building science on “house as a system”

• Describe heat transfer and control of heat movement

• Describe air movement and identify processes of air sealing

• Identify moisture movement, it’s effect on a home, and control options

• Identify mechanical systems and their main purposes

• Summarize energy audits including assessing baseload usage, doors, windows, and renewables

• Describe the audit process and recognize the required importance and data for energy modeling

• Identify appropriate weatherization measures based on Washington state guidelines

Course Requirements:

Technology

• Ability to download documents or access documents as needed

• BPC provided online Learning Management System – Moodle link to be sent by BPC

Expectation of attendance and class participation

Prerequisites and Work Experience:

• None necessary

Assessments and Grading:

All assessments will be multiple choice question style

• In-progress assessment activities throughout

• One final assessment

• Candidate must achieve a 70% or higher to pass the final assessment

Webinar – Building Science Principles Part II

Building Science Principles Part II

Date & Time
May 27, 2026 08:00 AM
Description
This virtual training is designed for contractors or community-based organizations that are interested in learning how various components of a home interact to affect the home’s overall performance. At no cost to them, Energy Trust trade allies and community partners that complete this training are eligible to take the BPI’s Building Science Principles Exam (normally $109) and earn their Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate of Knowledge.

Webinar – Building Science Principles Part I

Building Science Principles Part I

Date & Time
May 26, 2026 08:00 AM
Description
This virtual training is designed for contractors or community-based organizations that are interested in learning how various components of a home interact to affect the home’s overall performance. At no cost to them, Energy Trust trade allies and community partners that complete this training are eligible to take the BPI’s Building Science Principles Exam (normally $109) and earn their Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate of Knowledge.