Blower Door Mastery: Techniques and Tips for Contractors with Sam Myers of Retrotec

In this episode of the R-Value podcast, host Ken Allison and special guest Sam Myers from Retrotec discuss the intricacies and importance of blower doors in testing a home’s air tightness. They delve into common mistakes made during blower door tests, such as incorrectly matching the fan range to the gauge, and highlights advancements in technology, like digital manometers introduced in the mid-90s, which improved the testing process through color coding and touch screen features for easier identification and use​​​​.

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Find more in-depth Blower Door training here:

If you would like to be certified for blower doors, AeroBarrier and IDI sponsor 1-2 classes a year. For more information, reach out to your local rep or the IDI training team.

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Sam Myers is a building scientist for Retrotec where he teaches building performance concepts at conferences and training events, conducts field studies, and assists Retrotec with new product designs. He holds a Master’s of Science degree from East Carolina University, is a certified HERS Rater, and is a licensed real estate broker. Sam lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Ken and Sam also cover the evolution of blower door testing equipment, including the development of high-powered fans for testing leakier buildings and the integration of apps for efficient documentation and reporting of tests. Myers emphasizes the value of blower door tests not only for energy efficiency but also for identifying issues related to comfort, indoor air quality, and even structural defects. These tests have become a critical tool for contractors, especially in retrofitting and custom home building, serving as a quality control measure to monitor the build process and address any air sealing needs​​.

Ken shares his own experiences and challenges as a first-timer with blower doors, illustrating the practical aspects of this technology. Sam further discusses the growing popularity and challenges of spray foam insulation in home construction, highlighting the role of blower door tests in identifying installation issues. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of blower door testing, emphasizing its critical role in building performance and the evolving needs of the construction industry​​.

In this episode…

2:00 – The evolution of air tightness testing

7:00 – Troubleshooting your blower door for beginners

11:39 – Beyond professional calibration: what you can do to keep your measurements reliable

16:00 – The main considerations in testing a retrofit

22:11 – Where are the areas that contractors miss the most in attics and crawl spaces

25:19 – What ACTUALLY motivates someone to fix their structure

This New Tool Will Show Your Customers the Undeniable Impact of the 179D Tax Rebate

We highly recommend watching the video walkthrough of this podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IDIDistributors

In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s own Ken Allison welcomes Apollo Energies CEO and President Mark Stout to show off a tool that will help your customers understand how much they could save by taking advantage of the 179D tax incentive.

Mark and Ken dissect the financial wisdom of insulating and air sealing commercial buildings of any size, revealing what may seem like an expense can actually become a profitable venture for your customers with the 179D tax program. Apollo Energies’ new tool is designed to transform how upgrades are accounted for and valued. The episode guides us through the nuts and bolts of qualifying for tax deductions through energy savings that beat standard requirements, and how to appreciate the nuances of bonus depreciation in the current tax code. Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your business’s profitability with the 179D tax rebate – a winning formula for your pocket and the planet.

Get the 179D Incentive Evaluator at https://www.apolloenergiesinc.com/evaluator/index.php

In this episode…

0:00 – Exploring the 179D tax rebate

2:43 – Signing up and logging in to the 179D Evaluator

3:36 – Example of adding upgrades like insulation and LED lighting to a commercial building to improve energy efficiency. Shows how this can lead to tax deductions through the 179D that reduce net project cost.

9:05 – Discussion of how Apollo Energies can do an audit, certify deductions, and manage the upgrades to ensure the project qualifies for the maximum incentives. This provides assurance if audited by the IRS.

The Economic Outlook for Housing & Construction with Economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics

Are you a business owner looking to grow your company’s value and profitability in the years ahead? Tune in to this insightful episode of the R-Value podcast, hosted by IDI’s Ken Allison with guest economist Brian Beaulieu to get an expert forecast on the housing and construction markets. They dive into projections for housing permits, sales, interest rates, and remodeling through 2026.

Brian Beaulieu has been an economist with the Institute for Trend Research since 1982, serving as its Chief Executive Officer since 1987. At the Institute, he has been engaged in applied research regarding business cycle trend analysis. Brian was also an economist for the US Department of Labor where he worked on the health care component of the Consumer Price Index. Brian is co-author with Alan Beaulieu of the books, Prosperity in the Age of Decline, Make Your Move, and children’s book But I Want It.

Brian provides his candid take on the Federal Reserve’s impact, regional trends to watch, and factors like the labor shortage, material costs, and consumer savings rates. You’ll come away with an honest outlook on risks ahead and wise counsel on investments, real estate, hiring, and steps to increase your personal net worth. If you want to position your business to not just survive, but thrive, in fluctuating economic times, don’t miss this practical, forward-looking discussion.

In this episode…

2:26 – Forecasting the 2024 housing market and future rate hikes

6:11 – Is the Fed’s target of retrofitting 110 million homes by 2050 realistic?

10:20 – Regional trends in home building. Where will the housing hot spots be?

14:39 – When will materials pricing come down?

18:00 – Building a business that can weather turbulent economic conditions

For more information on ITR Economics, click here or visit one of their below social channels:

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