The Flow Lab

Find the Pathway, Fix the Problem

Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Brantley May to talk indoor air quality investigations, building forensics, and why you need both a contaminant and a pathway for a real problem. Brantley explains how blower doors, duct testing, and pressure diagnostics help prove where mold, smoke, dust, and odors actually enter a home. They also go over common misses from standard inspections, plus why better ventilation can be worth the energy tradeoff when health is on the line. If you want your houses to breathe right, share this with someone who still treats a blower door like a one time service. Show Notes: 00:48 Meet Brantley 02:02 Beyond Energy Testing 04:11 Forensics Rabbit Hole 07:27 Who Calls Brantley 09:10 Missed Building Clues 11:17 Pressure Imbalance Story 14:45 Pathways Matter Most 17:47 Testing Without Harm 20:25 Everyday Pressure Checks 22:07 Health Success Stories 31:09 Training Better Inspectors 36:36 Duct Leakage Clues 46:52 Mold In Every Climate 49:53 Learning The Craft Connect with: Brantley May Website: https://www.buildingscience.us [https://www.buildingscience.us] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brantley.iaq [https://www.instagram.com/brantley.iaq] Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/ Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/ Website: https://retrotec.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science! #BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement

Stop Guessing Start Testing

Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Jake Bruton to talk blower door testing, airtightness, and why data beats opinions every time. Jake explains why he tests multiple times during a build, what leak paths still surprise teams, and how those checks reduce risk and callbacks. They also get into vetting HVAC contractors for low load homes and why buy-in matters more than bravado. If you are serious about building better, share this with a builder who still “just knows” it’s tight. Show Notes: 00:00 Data Over Opinions 00:59 Three Test Strategy 03:09 When To Test 05:07 Hidden Leakage Spots 06:19 The 30% Drop 08:57 Solving The Lid 19:16 Vetting HVAC Subs 25:21 Advice For Builders 31:31 Tight Means Tested 38:59 Where To Learn 49:41 Buy The Blower Connect with: Jake Bruton Website: www.aarowbuilding.com [https://www.aarowbuilding.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton [https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton] Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/ Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/ Website: https://retrotec.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science! #BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement

Building The Future HVAC Workforce

Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Xavier Walter of the Building Performance Association to talk about the workforce gap, why HVAC contractors need building science partners, and where the industry is headed next. They get into apprenticeship and workforce development, how weatherization and HVAC can work together, and why callbacks drop when contractors solve the whole problem. Plus, a quick run-through of what to expect at the BPA National Conference in Columbus, April 13–16.  And if you want to attend, use this link to register: http://nhpc26.org/flow-lab [http://nhpc26.org/flow-lab] Use code NHPC-Flow for a discounted registration rate ($825) Video Notes:  00:00 Show Intro 01:03 Xavier’s Path In 03:52 BPA Resources 05:07 Workforce Challenges 09:23 HVAC And Weatherization 13:20 Building Science Basics 18:43 Why Attend BPA 21:08 Beyond Residential Work 24:00 Conference Game Plan 28:36 Free Market Shift 33:48 Questions Homeowners Ask 35:35 Pass It Forward Connect with:  Xavier Walter https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-walter-1164812b/ Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/ Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/ Website: https://retrotec.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science! #BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement

Indoor Air Quality Is More Than a Number

Sam Myers and Ben Walker sit down with Joe Medosch to talk about why indoor air quality is personal, and why better HVAC diagnostics matter more than ever. They break down MeasureQuick, direct capture, and the accountability gap that still holds the industry back. You will also hear why “the occupant is the greatest sensor,” plus what wildfire smoke and ventilation mean for real homes. If this helped, share it with a tech or builder who cares about getting it right. Show Notes:  Introduction and Welcome (0:00) Retro Tech and Joe's Contributions (1:26) Challenges in the HVAC Industry (2:43) Health and Air Quality Focus (4:51) Measure Quick and HVAC Diagnostics (5:51) Training and Education in HVAC (17:50) Occupant-Centric Approach to Building Performance (18:03) Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality (19:56) Future of HVAC and Measure Quick (41:18) Closing Remarks and Future Collaboration (47:15) Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/ Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/ Website: https://retrotec.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science! #BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement

What Actually Improves Your Homes Indoor Air Quality

Most “Indoor Air Quality upgrades” are just gadgets in a box. And a lot of them can make things worse.  HVAC and building science veteran John Ellis joins Sam Myers and Ben Walker to break down what actually moves the needle in a home: thermal comfort, ventilation, filtration, humidity control, building pressure, and source control.  If you build, renovate, or work on HVAC, this episode will change how you think about “clean air” and what it takes to actually deliver it. Video Notes:  Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Changes (0:00) Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Measurements (1:43) Dust Free 16 Filter Development (5:59) Filter Media and Performance (10:07) Distribution and Market Reception (14:16) Indoor Air Quality and Building Science (15:59) Challenges in the HVAC Industry (26:24) Data-Driven Solutions and Training (39:51) Menu Pricing System for IAQ Services (42:04) Future Developments and Final Thoughts (44:18) Connect with :  John Ellis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ellis-b13b0411/  Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/ Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/ Website: https://retrotec.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrotec/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrotec/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on airtightness, ventilation strategies, and innovations in building science! #BuildingScience #AirtightnessTesting #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #HVAC #Retrotec #GreenStar #EnergyWaste #HomeImprovement