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 building physics
Feldman Architecture and Positive Energy Forge a Path to World Class Architecture 
Feldman Architecture and Positive Energy Forge a Path to World Class Architecture 

Feldman Architecture is a distinguished firm based in San Francisco and widely recognized for their creation of warm, light-filled spaces characterized by an understated modern aesthetic. Beyond the visual appeal of their designs, Feldman Architecture is driven by a profound commitment to addressing complex problems through design, aiming to significantly enhance human interaction with the built environment and the planet. This ethos finds a powerful complement in our work here at Positive Energy. We are a specialty MEP engineering and building science firm from Austin, TX, and share with our partners at Feldman Architecture a foundational mission to transform the delivery of conditioned space to society. 

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Architectural Design, Building Science, Electrification, Environmental Design, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, Indoor Air Quality, Mechanical Design, Natural Building Material, Solar, Wildfire, Embodied Carbon, MEP2040, Architecture 2030Positive EnergyFeldman Architecture, Positive Energy, Santa Lucia Preserve, MEP Design Engineering, Title 24 consulting, sustainable design, architectural excellence, ethical design, building science, Living Building Challenge (LBC), Carbon Budget initiative, high-performance design, regenerative principles, technical expertise, aesthetic expression, contextual design, MEP2040 Challenge, carbon reduction, operational carbon, embodied carbon, electrification, building physics, design decisions, performance metrics, code compliance, aesthetics, emotional resonance, material selection, concrete, structural steel, aluminum, spray foam insulation, mass timber, wood doors and windows, locally sourced stone, low-carbon CMU, Red List avoidance, Curveball project, Fog's Edge project, Cloud's Rest project, Stone's Throw project, Modern Craft project, radical candor, intergenerational transfer of ethos, Climate Studio, Tally, energy modeling, daylighting, photovoltaic (PV) systems, AIA California Climate Action Committees, reach codes, advocacy, talent attraction, job turnover, collaboration, specialized consultants, ecosystem, jazz improvisation, role of architect, design constraints, 2030 Challenge, industry standards, business benefits of sustainability, "role power", human well-being, mental health.
Navigating the HVAC Refrigerant Transition and the Promise of Hydronic Systems for Future-Ready Architecture
Navigating the HVAC Refrigerant Transition and the Promise of Hydronic Systems for Future-Ready Architecture

The global heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the phasedown of high-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, primarily Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This shift, mandated by international agreements like the Kigali Amendment and domestic legislation such as the U.S. American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, presents both substantial challenges and unique opportunities for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

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Heat Pumps, HVAC, High Performance Homes, Indoor Air Quality, Electrification, Building Enclosure, Architectural Design, CodePositive EnergyHVAC refrigerant transition, high-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Kigali Amendment, U.S. American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, supply chain disruptions, refrigerant costs, technical training, mildly flammable refrigerants, hydronic systems, air-to-water heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, water as heat transfer medium, building performance, global HVAC refrigerant landscape, Montreal Protocol, ozone-depleting substances (ODS), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), HFC phasedown, U.S. ratification of Kigali Amendment, HFC consumption reduction, global warming mitigation, low-GWP technologies, HFC Allocation Program, Allocation Framework Rule, GWP limit of 700, R-410A systems, refrigerant leak detection, refrigerant reuse, reclaimed and recycled HFCs, leak repair, recordkeeping, reporting, labeling, automatic leak detection (ALD) systems, reclaimed HFCs for servicing, cost of compliance, A2L-class refrigerants, R-454B, R-32, refrigerant flammability, safety protocols, certified HVAC technicians, ACCA A2L training, ASHRAE Standards, UL Safety Standards, refrigerant types comparison, R-22, R-290 (Propane), R-744 (CO2), R-717 (Ammonia), AEC industry challenges, project timelines, supply chain constraints, refrigerant shortages, material scarcity, A2L safety training, regulatory compliance and enforcement, EPA regulations, state-level regulations, equipment availability and compatibility, refrigerant recovery machines, hydronic system types, radiant systems, baseboard heating, chilled beam systems, snow melt systems, AWHPs principles, AWHPs benefits, GSHPs principles, GSHPs advantages, ground loop, ground temperature stability, GSHP design considerations, GSHP energy savings, Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), technology neutral homes, renewable electricity sources, building envelope performance, HVAC system sizing, thermal insulation, high-performance glazing, air leakage, whole building design, commissioning, thermal performance, airtightness, passive building principles, Phius (Passive House Institute US), continuous insulation, thermal bridging, condensation prevention, super-insulation, minimal space conditioning system, moisture management, dew point temperature, latent loads, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), dehumidification, smart controls, material selection for radiant cooling, wall design for hydronics, floor design for hydronics, ceiling design for hydronics, building physics, heat transfer processes, moisture dynamics, indoor air quality, economic benefits of hydronic systems, operational cost reductions, energy efficiency, high-efficiency circulator, VRF system comparison, DX unit comparison, water source heat pumps, lifespan of hydronic systems, maintenance costs, environmental impact of hydronics, decarbonization, solar thermal, geothermal energy, strategic design for sustainable HVAC.