Positive Energy 2/17/15 Positive Energy 2/17/15

Human Factored Design

We've given a lot of thought to the core of our philosophy, work, and the change we want to impart on the world. When everything is boiled down - all of the complexity funneled into a singular concept - it is, quite simply, human factored design.

What a beautiful idea. What a beautiful implication.

Imagine a world wherein the buildings in which we reside and live are designed with our own lives being the primary consideration of the architect, designer, and builder. It's not impossible. In fact, it's already happening.

We at Positive Energy are dedicated to human factored design. We are passionate about building science and literally changing the way Austin is being built by consulting, designing, and testing for high performance homes. This city is growing quickly and we're dedicated to shaping that growth toward a more healthy and thriving population because at the end of the day you've got to be where you live. Doesn't it make sense that the space you've built would support you? We're here to make that happen.

Positive Energy's Kristof Irwin expounds on the concept of human factored design in today's home building climate.

Positive Energy 2/13/15 Positive Energy 2/13/15

Positive Energy On AirKrete & Home Insulation

Positive Energy's Kristof Irwin takes a look at a relatively new insulation product called AirKrete. As we look at this new spray foam concrete insulation, we will discuss some of the basic components of home insulation that can really make a huge difference in sealing the building envelope to keep the homeowner comfortable, healthy, and happy.

Spray Foam Insulation has become a normative insulation practice for residential and commercial properties alike. Positive Energy's Kristof Irwin takes a look at a unique product and method of concreted spray foam insulation in a new construction.

Positive Energy 2/11/15 Positive Energy 2/11/15

If Cars Were Built Like Houses

Corbett Lunsford from the Green Dream Group Home Performance Workshop dives into what the world would be like if cars were built like our houses.

IMAGINE IF CARS WERE BUILT & BOUGHT LIKE HOUSES: If cars were built like houses, each one would be built outdoors, exposed, in the middle of a muddy field. If cars were built like houses, each car would be slightly different than all others, and would be built under different laws, depending on where in the country the muddy field was located.

Positive Energy 2/6/15 Positive Energy 2/6/15

The Importance Of Measured Performance Parts 4 & 5

There are so many moving pieces to properly testing a home. Today we're imparting parts 4 & 5 of our video series "The Importance Of Measured Performance" and we hope that you'll take just a few minutes to dive into these videos and increase your awareness and know that Positive Energy is here to help alleviate problems you might be having with your home or project.

Combustion safety is incredibly important and often overlooked in regular home construction and inspection. Positive energy is your one-stop-shop for all things building science, including combustion safety.

Kristof Irwin, of Positive Energy in Austin Texas, ties together the importance of intensive and thorough home performance testing and relates how it helps achieve a comfortable indoor environment.

Positive Energy 1/30/15 Positive Energy 1/30/15

This Is Where Building Science Begins

Everything we do - consulting architects on mechanical designs, consulting builders on energy code compliance, conducting energy audits for homeowners, and all the thinking in between - it all starts here at our office. We're a small operation located in South Austin, TX and we love the idea of a kernel of knowledge growing into a massive industry change. That's what we're all about here at Positive Energy.

We want to see homes built with strong building science principles. We want to change the way we think about and live in homes and buildings. Austin is a beautiful city full of potential and it's growing fast. Now, more than ever, it's time to really focus on the performance of our buildings because our city grows, so too does the demand we place on the homes in which we live.

Positive Energy 1/29/15 Positive Energy 1/29/15

The Importance Of Measured Performance - Part 3

Air flow is one of the most crucial components of home performance. When a home has off-balance air flow, it's not working as well as it could. When we think of a home, it's easy to forget that it's an extremely complex system made up of parts to keep you comfortable and happy living inside. Positive Energy provides consultation and testing to ensure that homes are providing proper air flow from design to final build out.

Testing air flow in a home is a crucial component to optimizing energy efficiency. Without proper air flow, your mechanical systems may not be doing the smartest job they can. Positive Energy is incredibly thorough throughout the testing process because home performance and indoor air quality is important, especially when it comes to thermal comfort.

Positive Energy 1/28/15 Positive Energy 1/28/15

The Importance Of Measured Performance - Part 2

In this installment of our video series on The Importance Of Measured Performance, Sean takes us through a duct test. Ducts are a huge area of potential leakage in your building envelope and part of our work is ensuring that they're working properly by testing the ducts in your home. The best way to ensure that ducts are performing optimally is at the design level, but there is always opportunity to treat any issue that a home might have by doing an energy audit. Be sure you aren't missing out on more affordable comfort by getting your home tested today.

Duct Leakage is a major contributor to energy inefficiency and infiltration in many homes. Positive Energy is an Austin Texas company dedicated to using building science principles in our home testing to ensure that your ducts are working optimally.

Positive Energy 1/26/15 Positive Energy 1/26/15

The Importance Of Measured Performance - Part 1

Home performance is crucial, but measuring that performance is the only way to really grasp what's been successfully built or not. The design process is the best place for indoor comfort to start, which is why Positive Energy works directly with architects to help design mechanical systems. The best place to see if it worked is in the home itself, which is why Positive Energy works directly with builders to evaluate the performance so the homeowner can be comfortable and happy.

Positive Energy's Sean Harris dives into a building envelope evaluation to understand where potential leakages may occur in a home.

Positive Energy 1/23/15 Positive Energy 1/23/15

What Is Positive Energy All About

The building and architecture industry is on the verge of a massive shift. As technology becomes more refined and available, home buyers are demanding the most comfortable indoor environments possible. Positive Energy is on the front lines of achieving top home performance by consulting with architects, builders, and homeowners from project inception to final build out.

Positive Energy 1/21/15 Positive Energy 1/21/15

A Beautiful January Day In Austin

We love what we do. Our work is aimed at achieving the best performance from indoor environments and guess who benefits from better indoor comfort?

Yep. That's right. You do.

Each and every day we're thankful to come into the office and tackle the challenges of building science. Positive Energy takes pride in our work and we're passionate about the great results we provide for so many great clients.

At the end of the day, we're all people. People need a quality space to occupy when at work or home. This is the fundamental reason we do what we do. Making the world a better place through building science.

Positive Energy 1/15/15 Positive Energy 1/15/15

Blower Door Test

Here is our very own Sean Harris conducting a blower door test on a home. This test allows us to discover leakages in a home by depressurizing the interior and simulating wind against the walls of the home.

Positive Energy 1/14/15 Positive Energy 1/14/15

New Home Testing

Testing the variables in a new home is incredibly important, especially given how deeply a home investment is rooted in our lives. Positive Energy is focused on ensuring engineering and building quality by offering consulting services from the planning stages all the way to the final build out.