The Flow Lab

Sam Myers is joined by Dan and John from CEDA for a live Flow Lab conversation about what happens when weatherization diagnostics move into light commercial buildings. Using a troubled firehouse as the main case study, they break down how high humidity, sick occupants, failed HVAC fixes, and a missing air barrier all pointed back to the same problem.

The episode covers multi-fan blower door testing, commercial airtightness metrics, pressure uniformity, smart membranes, QA/QC smoke testing, and why HVAC equipment cannot fix an open envelope. Listeners will hear how weatherization agencies and building performance pros can use the skills they already have to solve bigger buildings, create new revenue, and stop treating commercial diagnostics like a mystery.

Show Notes:
00:23 Show Intro
01:01 Meet CETA
02:00 Firehouse Problems
05:00 Commercial Opportunity
07:10 No Building Lid
11:29 Commercial Metrics
13:40 Repair Scope
16:06 Humidity And Health
21:53 Test Planning
24:25 New Market Opportunities
30:41 Repair Details
38:01 Commercial Credentials
41:34 Scaling Up
47:44 Safe Room Testing
53:20 Final Takeaways

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

Sam Myers is joined by Lee Canegaly from Retrotec’s tech support and dev team, along with Michael and Greg, to talk about what happens when blower door testing moves beyond code compliance and into industrial rooms, fire suppression systems, and strange building failures. The episode gets into enclosure integrity, blast-proof shelters, server rooms, and why field testing beats guessing every time.

Michael and Greg share stories from refineries, cigar bars, crawlspaces, and humid homes, showing how air leakage can affect safety, comfort, and millions of dollars in protected equipment. 

Show Notes: 
00:13 Show Intro
00:51 Meet The Guests
02:01 Blast-Proof Buildings
03:44 Getting Into Testing
06:05 Enclosure Integrity
08:43 Commercial Vs Residential
10:06 Testing And Sealing
14:27 Industrial Learning Curve
18:14 Fantastic Integrity
19:17 Strange Field Stories
23:20 Getting Into Industrial
31:27 Training Matters

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

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
Instagram: 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

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
Instagram: 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

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

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

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

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

Everyone blames the HVAC System. Most of the time, that’s wrong. Nikki Krueger breaks down why modern homes struggle with humidity, even with high-efficiency systems, and why dehumidification has become a missing piece in comfort, health, and durability.

Sam, Ben and Nikki talk crawl spaces, shoulder seasons, overcooling, air leakage, ventilation mistakes, and the real-world install details contractors keep getting wrong.

If you work on houses, or live in one ... this conversation will change how you think about moisture control.

Video Notes: 
Placement and Ducting of Dehumidifiers (2:31)
Air Distribution and Heat Generation (6:08)
Retrofitting and Challenges in Existing Homes (8:51)
Humidity Control and Building Codes (12:20)
Ventilation Strategies and Industry Advancements (29:07)
Contractor Mistakes and Best Practices (38:56)
Industry Collaboration and Future Directions (48:11)
Final Thoughts and Future Opportunities (49:52)

Connect with : 
Nikki Kruger
Website: www.-Santa-Fe-Products.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkikrueger/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkikrueger_iaq/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.krueger.71

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

High school students are building real, high-performance homes… and hitting 0.9 ACH50. Matt Blomquist joins The Flow Lab to unpack how his class builds tighter houses than most pros, why blower-door testing is a game-changer, and how hands-on education is shaping the next generation of builders.

If you care about building science, air sealing, or the future of the trades, this episode hits hard.

Matt Blomquist's Journey into Teaching and House Building (0:00)
Starting the House Building Program (3:16)
Student Involvement and Class Structure (4:31)
Challenges and Achievements in House Building (42:20)
High Performance Building Science (42:38)
Impact and Future of the Program (42:54)

Video Notes: 
Matt Blomquist's Journey into Teaching and House Building (0:00)
Starting the House Building Program (3:16)
Student Involvement and Class Structure (4:31)
Challenges and Achievements in House Building (42:20)
High Performance Building Science (42:38)
Impact and Future of the Program (42:54)

Connect with : 
Matt Blomquist 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/build_learn_teach/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@build_learn_teach 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattblomquist/ 

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

On this episode of Flow Lab, Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Leilani Orr and Ty Branaman from the Grit Foundation to talk about a very practical way to grow the trades pipeline: youth camps where kids actually do the work.

Instead of PowerPoints and lectures, these camps drop 12–17-year-olds into escape-room-style challenges with real tools, real wiring, and real jobsite scenarios. Mentors don’t just “show and tell," they use a Socratic, question-first approach so kids learn to think, measure, troubleshoot, and fix things for themselves.

You’ll hear how the camps are structured, what it realistically takes to host one, and why mentors come away just as energized as the students. From high-school interns in Retrotec’s engineering department to kids proudly taking home their own wired “wall boxes,” this episode is a how-to guide for turning “we need more people in the trades” into real action in your own community.

In this episode, we get into:
- How the Grit Foundation youth camps introduce 12–17-year-olds to the trades using real tools, real circuits, and jobsite-style scenarios
- Why curiosity, questions, and mistakes are built into their Socratic teaching approach
- The mentor’s role, the 1:2 mentor-to-student ratio, and how a detailed playbook keeps camp days on track
- What it actually takes to host a camp: facilities, background checks, safety, and community partners
- How these camps help kids connect the dots between fix-it life skills and real career paths
- Why building science and HVAC are directly tied to public health and safety, not just comfort
- How programs like this can help your local market build its own long-term talent pipeline

If you’ve ever said, “We need more people who actually understand how buildings work,” this episode shows one concrete way to start building that future, right where you live.

Video Notes: 
00:00 – Welcome to Flow Lab & Why the Trades Shortage Matters
01:21 – Meet Grit Foundation & How the Youth Camps Started
04:50 – Escape-Room Style Camps That Make the Trades Fun
09:15 – Willis Carrier, Curiosity & the Socratic Teaching Model
13:28 – Training Mentors & Walking Through a Camp Day
17:36 – Real Impact on Students, Mentors & Retrotec Interns
27:47 – What It Takes to Host a Grit Foundation Camp
39:32 – Defining Success & Building Local Talent Pipelines
45:00 – Bringing Curiosity Home & Connecting Trades to Health

Connect with : 
The Grit Foundation Website: www.thegritfoundation.com
Grit Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572576687441
Grit Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritfoundation25
Grit Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-grit-foundation/?viewAsMember=true

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