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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers are joined by John Konstantakopoulos and Joseph Cheung to discuss the challenges of improving airtightness and energy efficiency in Australian homes. The conversation explores the nuances of building construction in Australia, where airtightness and ventilation systems are not always prioritized, leading to major inefficiencies.

John and Joseph share their insights on how to solve common issues in Australian building practices, especially regarding the impact of air leaks on energy waste, comfort, and health. They explain the importance of a whole-building approach to airtightness and ventilation, and how residential buildings could benefit from more awareness and implementation of airtightness testing.

What You’ll Learn

• The impact of air leaks on building performance and energy efficiency
• The role of ventilation in maintaining a healthy indoor environment
• How Australian homes compare to US and UK homes in terms of airtightness
• The challenges faced by Australian builders and how to address them
• Why continuous ventilation is key for airtight buildings
• Strategies for improving airtightness and reducing energy waste in various climates

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00 ] - Introduction 

[05:50 ] - How did Efficiency Matrix start

[08:38 ] - Green Building Council, Australia

[14:48 ] - Common causes of leakage rates and how to solve them 

[16:27 ] - New Products on Efficiency Matrix

[19:06 ] - Efficiency Matrix isn’t just for testing

[25:43 ] - Design considerations for the open area and vent

[28:43 ] - Envelope Integrity Report

[33:43 ] - Logging issues after blower test

[36:44 ] - Closing thoughts: EIR website and Subscription

Connect with John K

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkonstan/?originalSubdomain=au
• Company Website: https://efficiencymatrix.com/
• Company website: https://envelopeir.com/
• Company website: https://doorvent.com/

Connect with Joseph Cheung

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-chun-kit-cheung-425ba837/
• Company Website: https://efficiencymatrix.com/

Follow Hosts

Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/

Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/

Website: https://retrotec.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/

Listen on

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB

Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science!

#BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement