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In Episode 49 of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Joel Seagren, National Mechanical Ventilation Engineer at Fantech, to unpack the critical (and often overlooked) role of ventilation in high-performance homes.

With a background in mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and a Master’s in building sustainability, Joel brings decades of experience to this conversation — from consulting on daylight modeling in the early 2000s to becoming a NatHERS assessor and championing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) in Australian homes.

This episode covers:

• The science of air tightness, energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air
• Why 6 air changes per hour is a benchmark for installing HRVs
• The difference between NatHERS and Passive House modeling
• The limitations of relying on window ventilation in Australia’s energy code
• The evolving National Construction Code (NCC) requirements around mechanical ventilation
• The need for a standardized testing method in high-performance construction
• New Zealand modeling data showing the energy-saving benefits of HRVs

Whether you're a builder, architect, or energy consultant, this is a must-listen if you're working on airtight, efficient, and healthy homes in the Australian climate.

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Joel’s engineering background and sustainability journey
• The evolution of ventilation standards in Australia
• HRVs, airtightness, and indoor air quality explained
• Comparing NatHERS vs Passive House modeling systems
• Industry push for testing standards and updated building codes
• Moisture control, filtration, and the future of ventilation

🎙️ Brought to you by:

• Hygge Windows
• Webber Insurance
• NeXTimber