Publications

Report: 5 Steps to Net Zero Multi-family Residence Renovation: Toronto

Renovating multi-family residences for net zero capable operation is a process. This report presents a 5 step renovation process for a multi-family residence in Toronto consisting of window replacement, infiltration sealing, smart (CERV2) ventilation, cold weather comfort conditioning heat pump, and heat pump water heater.

COVID-19 Reports

Build Equinox has been at the forefront of fighting the transmission of Covid-19 from the beginning. Too many lives have been needlessly lost through confusion and inaction within the US, and unfortunately, we are still at the beginning of the pandemic. As horrifying as the current 3,000,000 infections with over 130,000 fatalities in the US sound, we are on a path toward 200,000,000 infections without effective control of the virus.

We have included two reports written by Ty describing the basis for the social distance modeling of Covid-19 (“Quantified Easing of Social Distancing Restrictions: Prediction of Covid-19 Disease Transmission Based on a Social Distancing Index”), predicting the current summer surge (“400,000 Infection per Day”), and examining COVID-19 spread due to comfort conditioning ("Killing Ourselves with Comfort").

Report: Designing Exceptional Homes for Exceptional People

In today’s high performance homes, occupant energy usage is often more important than climate-related energy usage. Building an exceptional home that exceeds occupant expectations and minimizes callbacks requires designing homes for exceptional people!

Our report analyzes field data and applies “3 sigma” design to determine fresh air ventilation and comfort conditioning needs that satisfy most people. The answers are simple:
1) Each home, regardless of size, should have fresh air ventilation air flow capability of 300cfm
2) Each home, regardless of climate, should have 2 to 3kW (1/2 to 1 ton) of heating and cooling capacity

Report Series: Handling Humidity

This report series discusses sources of moisture in homes (Part 1), climate impact on a home’s moisture management requirements (Part 2), moisture management methods (Part 3), and overall house modeling of moisture and energy (Part 4).

Report: Poor Home Maintenance = Increased Health Risks

A survey of privatized housing units at 200 military facilities has an important lesson for all. Poor maintenance habits will make you sick! This report details the relationships between environmental illnesses, mold, maintenance, HVAC (comfort conditioning), plumbing, building structure, and many other issues.

Smart Ventilation and Smart Air Distribution Reports

The new Smart Ventilation and Smart Air Distribution reports provide analyses and field data to explain how and why the CERV2 smart ventilation system is more effective in maintaining excellent air quality in an energy efficient manner.

Ductology - Understand Duct Design & Performance

Proper design of residential ventilation systems is essential for economic optimization of duct installation cost and ventilation fan power cost. Learn how to design and characterize ducts properly!

CERV Articles

ASHRAE Articles

In 2010 and 2011, we wrote a series of 12 articles for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) which detailed the many design aspects of the Equinox House.  While the articles detailed Equinox House particulary, they discuss techniques that can easily be implemented in new construction and retrofit homes.  The full series is listed below.

Equinox House Articles

Equinox House demonstrates that solar powered living is real and is economical.  The following annual summaries are part of our continuing education efforts to ensure that others realize that the power of sun is more than sufficient to supply our daily energy needs for living in a comfortable, healthy and sustainable manner that provides a future for our children.

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Begin Your Path to Healthier Air at Home
What you breathe matters. Poor air quality can have both short-term effects, and long-term consequences for your overall health. The CERV empowers you to take control by monitoring pollutants and maintaining a healthy, clean environment for you and your loved ones. Take the first step today toward a healthier home.