Basics of High Performance Building

• In-Demand Jobs:Gain a working knowledge of building science to meet Vermont's urgent need for skilled builders.
• Professional Recognition:Be acknowledged as a professional by major construction and architectural firms in Vermont.
• Swift Career Opportunities:For existing carpenters pursuing a college-free path, this course opens doors to quicker advancement in their profession.
• Second Career Path:For carpenters seeking a second career, this course provides a meaningful avenue for personal and statewide change in Vermont.
• Climate Crisis Mitigation:Contribute directly to addressing the energy crisis, making a positive impact on the environment.

• Training day 1: March 3 , 2026 (1-5pm)

• Training day 2: March 10, 2026 (1-5pm)

VFW in Manchester Ctr.
280 Depot Street,
Manchester, VT
05255

Cost:

• SEON Members: $50 member discount applied - Final cost: $500

• Non-members: Full cost - $550. Become a and get a $50 discount on all classes!

• Group discount: 10% off for multiple registrations from one company. Contact Guy Payne: [email protected] or 802-367-9264

The Basics of High Performance Building is designed to advance the knowledge and skills of current builders in new and retrofit construction, all with a special focus on high performance construction and building science principles.

This course is a key course in Vermont homebuilder's certification system as a high-performance builder. It is part of a program to educate and mentor the next generation of high performance building professionals.

This course gives students an introduction to the scientific laws and principles that govern the movement of heat, water, and air; it then brings those concepts to bear on the assessment, design and execution strategies of modern high-performance building and renovation practices. Students will take away a basic understanding of the mechanisms of heat, moisture, and air transfer within and through building envelopes, as well as the ability to apply that understanding in the context of daily work with the systems and assemblies that are common to modern high-performance building. The course includes introductory hands-on experience with modern building assessment tools and equipment, as well as pen-in hand experience identifying control layers on architectural drawings.

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Unit 1: Science

Where’s the water coming from, where’s the heat going?

Unit 1 Description: This unit of the course introduces students to the basic scientific principles and laws that govern heat, air, and moisture movement within and through the building envelope; it also introduces modern building envelope assessment tools and terminology. Scientific principles will be introductorily related to the durability and efficiency of high-performance building components and assemblies; while more of that will come in Unit 2, this unit will primarily focus on the scientific principles themselves. Throughout this unit, experiential learning will accompany presented information by way of in-class physical examples (small radiant panels, refrigerated items, etc) as well as hands-on introduction to assessment tools including blower door, manometer, IR camera, hygrometer, and moisture meter.

Unit 1 Topics Overview:

1. Definitions – Building Science, High-Performance Building

2. Damage Factors – UV, Heat, Water

3. Physics – Heat Transfer

4. Physics – Moisture Transfer

5. Physics – Hygrothermal dynamics

6. Physics – Air movement

7. Building Assessment Tools & Terminology – Heat

8. Building Assessment Tools & Terminology – Moisture

9. Building Assessment Tools & Terminology – Air

46 River Rd. New Haven, VT 05427 (802) 458-2386 [email protected]

Unit 1 Learning Objectives:

• Offer informed and personal definitions of ‘building science’ and ‘high

performance building’

• Distinguish among the three forms of heat (energy) flow, and how they express in buildings

• Distinguish among the four forms of moisture flow and how they express in buildings • Explain the basic concepts of hygrothermal dynamics (mechanism of condensation, stack effect, vapor pressure drive, convective vapor transport)

• Recognize modern building envelope assessment tools and terminology

Unit 2: Buildings

Bringing it all home. (Hey hey, my my, that assembly has to dry…)

Unit 2 Description: This unit of the course brings the science from Unit 1 into the context of design and execution practices of ‘traditional’ and modern high-performance building. Students will be introduced to the concept of the building as a whole system; principles of integrated design; identification, compatibility and continuity of control layers; historical and modern insulation and fenestration components; and basic HVAC systems and their role in hygrothermal dynamics. Students will also be introduced to the Vermont 2020 Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES). PowerPoint slides will be accompanied by hands-on work with printed architectural drawings.

Unit 2 Topics Overview:

1. Building as a system

2. Control layers – water; air; heat; UV

3. Control layers – common materials and strategies, past & present

4. Control layers on paper – the pen test, continuity, compatibility

5. Ventilation – Natural; exhaust-only; fresh air systems

6. Heating systems

7. Vermont 2020 RBES

Unit 2 Learning Objectives:

• Apply knowledge of the building envelope by identifying control layers on plan sets • Convey understanding of integrated design and construction

• Identify proper material selection regarding IAQ, thermal mass, moisture, etc

• Explain assembly drying potential

• Explain the concept and importance of drainage planes

• Describe correct window/door flashing sequence

• Identify modern heating plant types and explain their impact on the whole house system • Understand builders’ responsibilities regarding VT 2020 RBES

• Be able to personally clear up the generalized misunderstanding that ‘A house needs to breathe!’

Questions about registration? Please contact SEON at 802-376-9262 or [email protected].

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