Many of us in the building industry turn to Nikki for all questions dehumidification (certainly including this weeks hosts, Jake & Pete). Nikki goes toe to toe with HVAC techs with a degree in communications and that is because she understands that you have to go tech if you are representing technical products such as dehumidifiers. She connects indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and moisture management. Cool discussion of adding the "D" to HVAC: HVACD or HVAC+D. And apologies to all those expecting (forbearing?) Steve's closing humor...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

- "High Performance Dehumidification: Upgrading our basement dehumidifier" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/high-performance-dehumidification

- "Humidity, Health, and the Sterling Chart" - https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/humidity-health-and-sterling-chart/

- "Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Improved Dehumidification" (FSEC) - https://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/FSEC-PF-473-18.pdf

After the boys were done taking jabs at each other, they each take this question and apply it to their fields: building (Jake), designing (Steve), and enclosure review (Pete). Much of the discussion centers on the cost and expectations that both building professionals and clients have or should set with each other. Another central theme is that pulling in expertise early in the design process may seem as though it is more costly. Still, in the long run, it is better to spend a bit upfront and get key input during design rather than costly changes deeper into the build process. Interestingly, the conversation went from cost to trust as a key element of Pre-Construction.

Pete's Resources:

1. Building-Wright Design-Spec Review (attached - to post on UBIP website)

2. The Graph for "Cost of Changes versus Influence on Performance" - https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Construction-Total-Project-Management-Planning-Yates-Eskander/a80823cef0f3eb925e516cfb3b96253434cdb0a8

3. Build Show Wade Paquin "Pre-construction Service: What Is It? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyPmO6AjC0M

Daniel Glauser is the Executive Project Manager for Risinger Build in Austin, TX. And he really puts his money where his mouth is. This episode focuses on his deep energy retrofit of a 1977 home in Austin, TX, which will be certified per the Phius Core Revive program. And get this: this soup-to-nuts retrofit is being done while he, his wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs, and several cats are living there full-time. This should be a reality TV show, folks. But on the serious side, Daniel shares all kinds of details integrating the original structure, expansion in 3 of 4 directions, continuous control layers, structural integrity, and fully configured and compliant ACCA Manual J/S/D mechanical systems. The only thing missing from the episode: Steve does NOT close out with one of his "jokes...."

Pete's Resources:

- Phius CORE REVIVE: https://www.phius.org/phius-core-revive-2021

- Vermont "Almost" Passive House: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/the-passivhaus-almost-passive-house-faceoff

- Project Architect: Trey Farmer, Forge Craft Architecture & Design - https://forgexcraft.com

- Project Interior Design: https://designtrait.com