A half-day training on building science, and its practical application in new and existing home construction projects.
Friday, November 7, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
Training Room, Royal River Heat Pumps, 262 US Route 1, Freeport, ME
In-person attendance limited to 36 people. Virtual attendance option available.
About the program:
A well-built home doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of understanding how heat, air, and moisture move through a building and how those forces affect comfort, durability, and health. This interactive course introduces the core principles of building science, giving builders, homeowners, designers, and energy professionals the tools to make better decisions from foundation to finish.
Attendees will learn how the four control layers—bulk water, air, thermal, and vapor—work together to protect a home and keep it performing well over time. The course also explores how Maine’s energy code (MUBEC / IECC 2021) influences construction practices, and how HVAC design and operation directly affect indoor air quality (IAQ).
Understanding these principles helps builders avoid costly callbacks and moisture problems, homeowners maintain a comfortable, efficient, and healthy living environment, and code officials and tradespeople align on best practices that improve long-term building performance.
By the end, participants will see how treating the house as a system—where every component interacts—leads to better outcomes for everyone who lives in, works on, or regulates today’s homes.
What you’ll learn:
- What “building science” means—and why every home depends on it.
- How the four control layers protect against moisture, drafts, and heat loss.
- How to meet energy code requirements without compromising durability or comfort.
- Strategies for ensuring healthy indoor air quality
- How understanding the house as a system benefits builders, homeowners, and occupants alike.
Who Should Attend:
- Home Builders and Remodelers – looking to meet codes, prevent failures, and boost customer satisfaction.
- HVAC and Trade Professionals – who impact comfort, efficiency, and IAQ every day.
- Architects, Designers, and Energy Auditors – aiming to integrate building science into design and performance goals.
- Code Officials and Home Inspectors – who want to understand the science behind energy and ventilation codes and standards.
- Homeowners and Property Managers – interested in maintaining healthy, durable, and efficient homes.
- Students, Apprentices, or New Entrants to the construction field – building a foundation in how and why homes work.
Fees:
$55* for Maine Indoor Air Quality Council Members (in-person or on-line)
$85* for nonmembers (in-person or on-line)
*Maine resident? Access your 50% scholarship through the Alfond Workforce Compact. Details on program registration page.
About the Trainers:
Dan Kolbert is a building contractor in Portland. He is also a co-author of Pretty Good House: A Guide to Creating Better Homes, and has facilitated a building science discussion group since 2009.
Colin McCullough is the owner of All-Around Home Performance, specializing in home energy audits, comprehensive air sealing, and home performance testing. Colin worked as a home energy auditor for years in the MassSave program and for Efficiency Maine as a quality assurance inspector, he is also a building science trainer/proctor for Build Green Maine. He is currently renovating his 1915 home in Farmingdale to be a high-efficiency, net-zero house.
Continuing Education Credits
This table will be updated as approvals arrive.
| Type of Credit | Build Better Live Attendance @ CMCC | Build Better Zoom Attendance | Foundation/Basement Construction Badge Course | Building Shell Badge Course | Mechanical Systems Badge Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USGBC | 7.0 hours Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | 7.0 hours Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance |
| Engineers | 7.0 hours Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | 7.0 hours Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance | Self-Report with Certificate of Attendance |
| AIA | Approved for 7 HSW | Approved for 7 HSW | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted |
| Real Estate Professionals | Approved for 7 credits Program# CN276C063LE | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| BPI | Approved for 7 credits Program #22012 | Approved for 7 credits Program #22011 | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted |
| Code Enforcement | Approved for 3 Residential Energy and 3 Residential Ventilation credits | Approved for 3 Residential Energy and 3 Residential Ventilation credits | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted |
| Radon | Approved for 4 credits | Approved for 4 credits | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted | To Be Submitted |
Program Schedule
7:45 a.m.
Registration, Continental Breakfast, On-Line Portal Opens
8:30 a.m.
Welcome, Introduction, Program Overview
8:45 – 10:15 a.m.
The 4 building science control layers and how and where they apply in construction
- Bulk Water/Weather (foundation, walls, roof, flashing, overhangs)
2. Air (comfort, conditioned air loss, vapor transport, exterior/interior/and in the middle, blower door tests
3. Thermal (insulation, doors & windows)
4. Vapor (drivers, barriers)
10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
HVAC & Dehumidification
- Heating & Cooling (equipment options, sizing, fuel choice)
- Ventilation (codes, balanced vs. supply/demand, ERV/HRV, spot ventilation)
- Hot Water (load, storage, distribution)
- Dehumidification (why, how, equipment)
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Building Science & Indoor Air Quality
- Balancing energy & IAQ
- Pollutants
- Moisture
- Ventilation
12:00 – 12:15
Resources
- Maine Organizations and Trainings
- Free Tools (RedCalc; Rescheck; Dewpoint Calculators; Other)
- Ask Us Anything
