Historic Pioneers of Building Science Panel

IAQ Radio Episode 688 featured Pete Consigli, Cliff Zlotnik, Jon Isaacson, and FOP’s as they discussed their experiences at The Andy Ask Building Science Symposium aka Winter Break 2023. A key feature of this event was the historic PIONEERS OF BUILDING SCIENCE panel. The AABSS 2023 stage hosted a  special reunion of groundbreaking building scientists Joseph Lstiburek, Gary Nelson, Neil Moyer John Tooley. 

Cliff Zlotnik's nuggets mined from the show:

• The Z-Man first met Andy Ask at the first Building Science Summer Camp in 1996, where Andy kindly offered the Z-Man rides from the hotel to and from Summer Camp events held in Joe Lstiburek’s home and backyard.
• According to Andy, many conferences are supported by vendors who have proprietary as well as other products to sell. Andy labels ASHRAE conferences as nerdy. Andy is a life member of ASHRAE, which to him means a 50-year association member with a pulse. ASHRAE requires presenters only speak about the science. The audience wants to know what experts due, how they do it and what products they use, recommend and why?
• Speaking about what Andy uses and recommends. Andy has been an advocate of water source heat pumps/geothermal heat pumps and as recent as 4 years ago put them in a home he was remodeling. He has since ripped them out and installed Mitsubishi VRF zoning and ductless systems in his own home.
• According to Andy Ask, the motivation for what is now called Winter Break began with the local need to bring Building Science concepts to the southwest coast of Florida. From 1995-2005 Floridian homeowners, contractors and building trades learned that adding insulation and making homes tighter didn’t work.
• Andy has been hosting local Building Science events for 25 years.
• Andy’s 2023 two-day event is twice as big as his previous events.
• Rick Sims and his wife Rickie were the impetus to expanding Winter Break to its current size and focus, from a local event to regional event.
• Building Science Guru Joe Lstiburek is a strong magnet, always drawing a crowd of people interested in learning more about Building Science.
• Florida’s warm winter weather is a desirable alternative to New England weather either in August or in the winter.
• Andy and Rick pulled off a huge, never before done, industry accomplishment with the Pioneers Panel. Bringing Building Science Legends together on stage: Joe Lstiburek, John Tooley (Building Performance), Gary Nelson (engineer, inventor of the blower door, etc.) and Neil Moyer (duct leakage and system diagnostics). Andy credits Pete Consigli for the Pioneer Panel!
• Gary Nelson discussed blower door history. According to Andy Ask, the blower door is like a level in a tool box, it should be used on every job not just once. 
• Jon Isaacson Lost in the complex-become masters of the obvious?

Z-Man comments on Pioneer Panel

• To me watching the panel was like law enforcement eavesdropping on people under surveillance.
• The panel sat in comfortable chairs on stage.
• Transparency and honesty in entertaining and educational way.
• Common denominators, all of these guys had overcome business struggles.
• All were lucky enough to have mentors. 

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Watch IAQ Radio Episode 688