Event Description

The one-day Build Better training will provide a comprehensive summary of necessary strategies to build a “better” house: defined as a house that not only meets code, but also meets a homeowner’s need for a healthy, energy-efficient, comfortable, and resilient place to call home.  

Maine Indoor Air Quality Council (MIAQC) recognizes that residential design and construction professionals are very busy people, especially during the warmer building season. That’s why Maine Indoor Air Quality Council has reorganized the residential construction training course from a four day to a one day in-person time commitment. For those interested in seeking voluntary certification, MIAQC is developing an additional series of on-line training options to provide you the extra details you’ll need to not only help you build better, but will lay the foundation for a life-long ability to design, construct, operate, and maintain homes that not only meet code, but are also healthy and environmentally sustainable for both people and the planet.   The emphasis throughout the revised course series is on practical, achievable, common-sense construction for Maine.

Topics Include:

• Building Science: Strategies for proper heat flow management, bulk water management, vapor management, air flow management, and solar gain through building orientation.
• Foundation/Basement Construction: A practical look at the most common basement option in the Northeast:  the concrete foundation, with an exploration of other options.   You’ll learn how to:
  • Prepare the site for proper drainage
  • Prevent basement cracks, as well as fix them when they occur
  • Basement wall and floor insulation options
  • Preventing condensation issues and dew point
  • Install the radon system to meet Maine’s codes
• The Building Shell: 
  • The nitty gritty on floors, walls, roofs, windows, and doors, including:
  • Floor insulation vs. no floor insulation
  • Wall construction options and insulation methods to minimize conductive, convective, and radiational heat loss, with cost analysis
  • Air sealing and the blower door test
  • Hot roof vs. cold roof
  • How to calculate dew point in your wall and roof systems
  • Window and door selection and tips for proper installation
  • Porch vs. no porch
  • Cladding choice and critical hidden systems (rain screen, flashing)
  • Verification:  Introduction to ResCheck
• Mechanical Systems: A look under the hood of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and dehumidification options
  • Critical code changes that impact both design and product choice
  • Tips for designing/installing ductwork
  • Available ventilation options, codes & standards
  • Pros and cons of heating system options:  heat-pumps, sealed combustion, gas-fired on demand, passive solar, plus system life-cycle and maintenance
  • Proper heat pump sizing:  bigger isn’t necessarily better
  • Summertime dehumidification:  product and installation options               

Who Should Attend:  

• Building contractors and subcontractors
• Architects and engineers
• Code enforcement officials (including Third Party Inspectors)
• Home Inspectors
• Home energy improvement professionals
• Building supply representatives
• Product manufacturers
• Insurance representatives and mortgage lenders
• Real estate professionals
• Students

Note:  Registration for live in-person registration is limited to 54 attendees. Online options are available.
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