Positive Energy
Design Around People. A Good Building Follows.

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Read more about a range of building science, engineering, and architecture topics on our company blog.

Posts tagged ASHRAE
Positive Energy's Education and Advocacy Efforts
Positive Energy's Education and Advocacy Efforts

Our comprehensive approach to MEP engineering and building science consulting is deeply rooted in a strategic vision that extends far beyond individual project delivery. Our commitment to the idea of "Healthy people, healthy planet” is unwavering. It is not just a statement, but a guiding principle that permeates our extensive education and advocacy efforts. Through the firm’s Building Science Blog and The Building Science Podcast, we aim to actively cultivate knowledge everywhere we can, demystifying complex technical concepts like indoor air quality and intricate wall assembly dynamics for architects and the broader industry. This accessible knowledge transfer empowers architects to confidently integrate advanced building science into their designs, mitigating risks and ensuring the long-term performance and durability of their projects.

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Architectural Design, Building Science, Code, Electrification, Embodied Carbon, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, Passive House, Phius, Natural Building Material, Mechanical Design, MEP2040, Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, Heat PumpsPositive EnergyPositive Energy, MEP engineering, building science, high-end residential architecture, healthy spaces, comfortable spaces, resilient spaces, human-centered design, MEP design/engineering, custom home market, mission, conditioned space, employee well-being, project partner relationships, "Healthy people, healthy planet" vision, collaboration, architects, contractors, owner representatives, lived experience of architecture, indoor space upgrade, mission-focused engineering, healthier indoor environments, electrification, fossil fuel solutions, education, advocacy, market development, high-performance buildings, AEC industry, building science blog, Building Science Podcast, technical information, continual learning, educational content, blog posts, building resilience, energy systems, building enclosures, indoor air quality, moisture dynamics, wall assemblies, ventilation strategies, sealed attics, dehumidification, roof assemblies, "ping pong water, " indoor air pollution, IAQ code, fossil gas appliance emissions, electrification of domestic hot water, hydronic systems, natural building materials, biophilic design, net-zero energy, carbon footprints, risk mitigation, podcast, Kristof Irwin, M. Walker, philosophical aspects of building science, ethics, aesthetics, systemic aspects of building science, high-energy physics, custom builder, AIA BEC, AIA COTE, human factors, integrating ethics and aesthetics, risk management in AEC, bioclimatic design, system thinking, industry transformation, technical solutions, IAQ and materials, material supply chains, philosophical society, critical thinking, speaking engagements, Architectural Paradigms and Adaptation, Building Science 2.0, Facades+, PhiusCon, Passive House, BS + Beer, battery capacity sizing, ASHRAE, AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference, Science and Storytelling, Code Change, ATX Building Performance Conference, True Sustainability and Regeneration, Healthy Buildings, Earthen Construction, Gulf Coast Green, International Builder Show, Testing Protocols, University Guest Lectures, Earthen Architecture, Systems-Thinking Lens, Cooling, Passive House in Emerging Markets, Climate Change, Building Envelope, Refrigeration Cycle, Mechanical Systems, Air as Material, Psychrometrics, Ventilation, Organization & Committee Memberships, ASHRAE TC-2.1, ASHRAE SSPC-55, ASHRAE SSPC-62.2, MEP2040, RESNET, AIA Austin's Building Enclosure Council, AIA Austin's Committee On The Environment, Phius Alliance Austin, Humid Climate Conference, Phius Alliance, BS + Beer Northwest Arkansas, Habitat for Humanity, Industry Publications, Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Journal of Light Construction, Radiant Cooling.
Designing Healthier Homes by Eliminating Fossil Gas Appliance Emissions
Designing Healthier Homes by Eliminating Fossil Gas Appliance Emissions

Architects, as the primary designers of our built environment, hold a profoundly influential position in shaping the health and well-being of building occupants. Beyond the critical considerations of aesthetics, structural integrity, and energy performance, a deep understanding of the invisible forces at play within a building's envelope is increasingly paramount. This report aims to equip architects with the essential knowledge to proactively design for superior indoor air quality (IAQ), particularly concerning emissions from common household gas appliances. The decisions made during the design phase, from material selection to mechanical system integration, directly influence the indoor environment and, by extension, the health outcomes of those who inhabit these spaces. This effectively positions architects as critical guardians of public well-being within the built space, expanding their traditional role to encompass a vital public health responsibility.

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Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, Electrification, Architectural Design, Building Enclosure, Code, Filtration, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, VentilationPositive EnergyDesigning healthier homes, eliminating fossil gas appliance emissions, indoor environmental quality, architect's role, indoor air quality, gas appliances impact on home health, combustion byproducts, hazardous air pollutants, synthesizing scientific findings, actionable strategies for architectural practice, pollutants emitted by gas appliances, health effects, design and engineering solutions, fundamentals of indoor air quality, source control, ventilation, filtration, temperature and relative humidity levels, building as a dynamic system, geographic site, local climate, physical structure, HVAC, construction techniques, contaminant sources, occupants' activities and behaviors, air exchange pathways, mechanical ventilation systems, infiltration, air pressure differences, building envelope, "Building Tight, Ventilate Right" imperative, energy consumption, pollutant concentration, energy efficiency, ventilation strategies, indoor air pollutants exceed outdoor levels, internal pollutant sources, "concentration trap", managing and removing internal contaminants, key pollutants from gas appliances, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, moisture, respiratory irritation, asthma exacerbation, infection risk, decreased lung function, fatigue, chest pain, impaired vision, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, DNA damage, mortality, transmission of airborne pathogens, organ damage, allergic reactions, cancer, dampness, mold growth, electric coil burners, high-dose exposure, pulmonary edema, diffuse lung injury, bronchitis, ambient air quality standards, carboxyhemoglobin, unvented gas space heaters, gas stoves, back-drafting, angia, poor ventilation, ultrafine particles, respirable particulate matter, cooking emissions, airborne particles, pathogens, respiratory aerosols, formaldehyde, benzene, unburned natural gas leakage, environmental tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, sensory irritation, carcinogens, moisture load, human respiration and perspiration, bathing, washing, plants, pets, appliance selection, all-electric homes, electronic ignitions, proper appliance installation and maintenance, ducted range hoods, capture efficiency, airflow requirements, multi-family homes, whole-house ventilation strategies, tighter building envelopes, backdrafting risks, make-up air systems, targeted spot exhaust, bathroom fan, high-efficiency filtration, MERV-13, infectious aerosol exposure, cost-benefit analysis, air cleaning, indoor particle concentrations, semivolatile organic compounds, monitoring and alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, advanced IAQ monitors, PM2.5 sources, collaboration with MEP engineers, certified technicians, health impacts, continuous leakage, moisture byproduct, all-electric transition, building a healthier future, works cited, RMI, ASHRAE, EPA, LBNL, ventilation and air cleaning, envelope leakage, hazardous air pollutant emissions, residential ventilation requirements.