2013 Lecture Series: Andy Shapiro - Mechanicals for Efficient Homes
Learn the basics of selecting a home's mechanical systems to provide comfort and efficiency. Learn how building enclosure efficiency affects the system choices you make. Learn a process to choose the best overall heating, cooling, hot water and ventilation system to optimize comfort and energy savings. By the end of the session, you will understand the basic components of the mechanical systems for a home, and will have a tool to guide the discussion of the choices that must be made. Examples will be presented of some typical mechanical systems choices for efficient homes. Andy Shapiro, President of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided energy analysis and design and other high performance building design consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers and builders, as well as housing developers, universities, businesses and demand-side management programs. Services range from sustainable building design to research and monitoring projects. He is also the Energy Engineer for the Vermont Energy Education Program, training teachers and students. Recent projects include NRG Systems manufacturing and office facilities (close to 100% renewably powered -- LEED Gold) in Hinesburg, VT, Putney Field House (Putney School, Putney Vt, "net zero," LEED Platinum), several micro-load/"net zero" houses in Vermont, a "net zero" education LEED Platinum building at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and White Pine CoHousing, a six-unit village where he now lives.