Are you a business owner looking to grow your company's value and profitability in the years ahead? Tune in to this insightful episode of the R-Value podcast, hosted by IDI's Ken Allison with guest economist Brian Beaulieu to get an expert forecast on the housing and construction markets. They dive into projections for housing permits, sales, interest rates, and remodeling through 2026.
Brian Beaulieu has been an economist with the Institute for Trend Research since 1982, serving as its Chief Executive Officer since 1987. At the Institute, he has been engaged in applied research regarding business cycle trend analysis. Brian was also an economist for the US Department of Labor where he worked on the health care component of the Consumer Price Index. Brian is co-author with Alan Beaulieu of the books, Prosperity in the Age of Decline, Make Your Move, and children's book But I Want It.
Brian provides his candid take on the Federal Reserve's impact, regional trends to watch, and factors like the labor shortage, material costs, and consumer savings rates. You'll come away with an honest outlook on risks ahead and wise counsel on investments, real estate, hiring, and steps to increase your personal net worth. If you want to position your business to not just survive, but thrive, in fluctuating economic times, don't miss this practical, forward-looking discussion.
In this episode…
2:26 - Forecasting the 2024 housing market and future rate hikes
6:11 - Is the Fed’s target of retrofitting 110 million homes by 2050 realistic?
10:20 - Regional trends in home building. Where will the housing hot spots be?
14:39 - When will materials pricing come down?
18:00 - Building a business that can weather turbulent economic conditions
 
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The Economic Outlook for Housing & Construction with Economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics

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In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guest Ken Levenson, the executive director of the Passive House Network. The discussion centers on the concept of "Passive House" and its impact on building sustainability and efficiency. Levenson, with his deep experience as an architect and advocate for energy-efficient building, shares insights into how the Passive House standard dramatically reduces energy consumption while enhancing comfort and resilience in building structures.
The episode explores the fundamental principles of Passive House, including the importance of a well-insulated and airtight building envelope that optimizes the structure's thermal performance. Levenson explains how such buildings manage to maintain comfortable indoor environments with minimal energy use, emphasizing the potential for substantial energy savings and enhanced indoor air quality. The conversation also reveals the practical aspects of adopting Passive House standards in new constructions and renovations, discussing the challenges and opportunities that builders and architects might face.
In this episode…
Fundamentals of Passive House design and its advantages over conventional building practices.
The role of insulation and airtightness in achieving energy efficiency.
Comparisons between Passive House and other energy standards like Net Zero.
The impact of building design on health and environmental sustainability.
Economic benefits and incentives associated with energy-efficient building practices.

Optimizing Building Efficiency with The Passive House Network and Ken Levenson

This episode of the R-Value Podcast features an insightful conversation with industry veteran Henri Fennell about common issues that can arise with spray foam installations. Fennell shares his extensive experience analyzing spray foam problems and the most frequent causes he encounters, such as improper material handling and processing.
He emphasizes the critical importance of precisely following manufacturer guidelines, especially when it comes to material preconditioning and temperature control. Fennell also provides valuable advice on how to properly inspect spray foam projects, troubleshoot issues, and implement effective remediation strategies when necessary. He shares real-world examples that highlight how improper application techniques or conditions can lead to problems like shrinkage, odors, and indoor air quality concerns. This episode is a must-listen for spray foam installers looking to improve their practices and avoid costly callbacks.
In this episode:
2:37 - The 2 most common problems that result in call backs
6:24 - How to properly do a test shot
8:17 - How much has material handling been a factor in foam that isn’t properly processed?
16:30 - Testing for shrinkage issues
26:00 - Henri’s best practices to avoid job site recalls
34:00 - Dealing with spray foam odor issues
45:00 - The importance of purchasing reliable equipment brands

Avoid These MAJOR Pitfalls On Spray Foam Projects with Henri Fennell

In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guests Rick Duncan, Executive Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and John Stahl of the Metal Buildings Initiative to discuss and dispel the myths surrounding the use of spray foam insulation in metal buildings. The conversation focuses on debunking common misconceptions and providing factual information based on research and industry experiences. Duncan and Stahl have put together a task force to conduct studies and share information with contractors about the safe use of spray foam in metal building applications. They share their extensive background in the field, share insights on the compatibility of spray foam with various types of metal buildings, the effects of spray foam on building elements like paint and structure, and the evolving building codes and standards that impact the use of spray foam in the industry.
 
Learn more about the SPFA and get involved today!
 
Throughout the episode, the guests delve into the technical aspects of spray foam application in metal buildings, addressing concerns related to thermal bridging, air leakage, and moisture management. They emphasize the importance of understanding the nuances of different building designs, such as standing seam roofs, and the role of proper installation techniques to ensure effective insulation performance. The discussion also highlights ongoing research and collaborations with metal building manufacturers to optimize the use of spray foam and adapt to changing regulations and environmental considerations.
 
In this episode…
2:45 - John and Rick’s work with SPFA to clarify the compatibility of spray foam with metal buildings
10:00 - What do the studies say about the impact of spray foam on metal building elements (e.g., paint, structure)
15:27 - Should states get started on evolving building codes and standards for insulating metal structures?
22:58 - The next steps for Rick’s SPFA task force
26:18 - How you can help the SPFA get codes changed in your state
38:17 - PFAS and Code Exempt Buildings: The Next Hot Topics for the SPFA

The TRUTH about Spray Foam and Metal Buildings with Rick Duncan, SPFA and John Stahl, Preferred Solutions Inc.

This episode of the R-Value podcast is an exciting listen for any insulation contractor looking to grow their business, but even more so for spray foam contractors! You won’t want to miss out on the great deal offered in this podcast. To learn more and take advantage of this Angi deal, read more below.  
In this episode, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guest Ryan White, a Corporate Partnerships expert at Angi. They have an in-depth discussion about how contractors can leverage Angi's platform to enhance their business growth, manage leads effectively, and make the most of digital marketing tools.
The conversation begins with an overview of Angi (formerly Angie's List) and its evolution in the digital marketplace. Ryan White details how Angi has adapted to the changing needs of both contractors and customers, highlighting their focus on real-time leads and quality control improvements. He emphasizes the importance of presenting businesses effectively on the platform, explaining how Angi assists in building detailed profiles and providing ongoing support to their partners.
White also addresses key topics like the distinction between Angie Ads and Angie Leads, the strategic use of zip codes for targeting potential clients, and the nuances of managing and responding to customer reviews. He shares insights into Angi's future direction, including their shift towards a marketplace model, which will enhance customer and contractor interactions by allowing customers to select from a presented list of contractors.
Angi has also provided R-Value listeners with a special offer for joining Angi. Email Ryan at ryan.white@angi.com and sign up by 4/15 and they will waive the fee for 2024, give you an account manager to help you build your Angi page, and give you $600.00 worth of leads for $300.00.
In this episode: 
1:20 - Overview and Evolution of Angi (formerly Angie's List)
5:30 - Angi Ads vs. Angi Leads: Understanding the Difference
9:00 - Angi's Marketplace Model and Future Direction
13:30 - How Angi helps you respond faster to leads
16:30 - Managing Customer Reviews and Lead Quality
20:30 - Lead management on the Angi platform
23:00 - Exclusive Offer for R-Value listeners to Join Angi!

Maximizing Your Business Growth on Angi (formerly Angie's List) with Ryan White

In this episode of the R-Value podcast, host Ken Allison and special guest Sam Myers from Retrotec discuss the intricacies and importance of blower doors in testing a home's air tightness. They delve into common mistakes made during blower door tests, such as incorrectly matching the fan range to the gauge, and highlights advancements in technology, like digital manometers introduced in the mid-90s, which improved the testing process through color coding and touch screen features for easier identification and use​​​​.
 
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Find more in-depth Blower Door training here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q-dbq0MnHfU&list=PL62zv4SHL06onv8MYYOXrEK2kBiK=2&pp=iAQB
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4gYU07iYaKU
 
If you would like to be certified for blower doors, AeroBarrier and IDI sponsor 1-2 classes a year. For more information, reach out to your local rep or the IDI training team.
 
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Sam Myers is a building scientist for Retrotec where he teaches building performance concepts at conferences and training events, conducts field studies, and assists Retrotec with new product designs. He holds a Master’s of Science degree from East Carolina University, is a certified HERS Rater, and is a licensed real estate broker. Sam lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.
 
Ken and Sam also cover the evolution of blower door testing equipment, including the development of high-powered fans for testing leakier buildings and the integration of apps for efficient documentation and reporting of tests. Myers emphasizes the value of blower door tests not only for energy efficiency but also for identifying issues related to comfort, indoor air quality, and even structural defects. These tests have become a critical tool for contractors, especially in retrofitting and custom home building, serving as a quality control measure to monitor the build process and address any air sealing needs​​.
 
Ken shares his own experiences and challenges as a first-timer with blower doors, illustrating the practical aspects of this technology. Sam further discusses the growing popularity and challenges of spray foam insulation in home construction, highlighting the role of blower door tests in identifying installation issues. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of blower door testing, emphasizing its critical role in building performance and the evolving needs of the construction industry​​.
 
In this episode…
 
2:00 - The evolution of air tightness testing
7:00 - Troubleshooting your blower door for beginners
11:39 - Beyond professional calibration: what you can do to keep your measurements reliable
16:00 - The main considerations in testing a retrofit
22:11 - Where are the areas that contractors miss the most in attics and crawl spaces
25:19 - What ACTUALLY motivates someone to fix their structure

The Economic Outlook for Housing & Construction with Economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics

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