Ground Source Heat Pumps—sometimes called Geothermal Heat Pumps—have been around a long time but they have been growing in popularity in recent years. What has changed? What is their appeal? How do they compare to other heating and cooling systems? What needs to be taken into account when designing a GSHP system, and what pitfalls should be avoided? Mechanical engineer Ross Trethewey joins us for a deep dive into the ups and downs of ground source heat pumps.

Installing windows isn’t hard—you apply sealant to the back of the nailing flanges, pop it into the opening, secure with a few roofing nails and--if you’re into best practices--you go over all four flanges with housewrap tape. At least that’s what many of us learned 30-40 years ago (except for the tape part) and it’s still how most windows are installed.
Why, if that system works, do windows still leak?
Building science expert and educator Peter Yost joins us this week to discuss the science behind window installation. According to Peter, “Windows are complex elements of our building enclosures and their installation is just as complicated.” He will break down what that means and some evidence-based solutions.

The IRC and IECC model codes are always evolving, with some big changes in the 2021 release that many designers and builders (and some code officials) are still getting their heads around. Soon their 2024 update will be released, with more changes. What are these changes and why were they included? What are the options to following the prescriptive options for each building element? Do the changes really make a difference to occupants or the environment? Are there situations where it makes sense to go beyond code minimums?

Robby Schwarz, founder of BUILDTank, Inc. and a frequent presenter on energy codes and similar topics, will be our guest expert.