Building Science and the Case for Comprehensive Training
There are countless horror stories out there. Stories of black mold creeping silently through walls, of rot undermining structural integrity, of musty air triggering asthma and illness, and even cases of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Many of these problems arose from energy efficiency upgrades and airtight houses intended to do good. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, as the first generation of energy-conscious homes rolled out, the phrase “house-as-a-system” wasn’t in anyone’s vocabulary yet. Well-intentioned builders tightened up homes but didn’t account for how air, moisture, and heat would behave in the new reality.
And so we got mold, rot, stink, decay, and a raft of valuable lessons.
But you know what the real horror story is in my books?
Here we are, 40 years later, and the same kinds of building failures are still happening. People are still carrying out the same good-intentioned upgrades and ending up with the same disastrous unintended consequences.
That’s why we need good training in building science—because people’s health, comfort, and even lives are at stake. Building professionals must understand how the house functions as a dynamic, interactive system, not just as a collection of parts. And this isn’t just theory—it’s practice.
Building Science in Canada: Cold Climate Heroes
Canada has been a global leader in building science, especially for cold climates. Among the most influential figures in this field is Dr. Joe Lstiburek, mechanical engineer and forensic building scientist. Joe is known for his blunt (and often hilarious, always - uh - ‘strongly worded’) commentary on building failures and his fierce advocacy for building science education based on real-world testing.
Over the years, he’s shared many candid stories about his own early missteps where materials and/or systems didn’t behave as expected and the results were expensive, uncomfortable, or downright dangerous. Nobody beats Joe up better than Joe, turning his adventures into teaching tools. He’s one of the best BSers in the business.
How Training Changed My Perspective
When I studied Building Technology at BCIT, way back in the 1990s, one of the very first things I was taught was how to read a psychrometric chart. You know you’re deep into building science nerdery when you find joy in plotting out dew points and relative humidity levels on paper.
That foundational training gave me the tools to challenge building science principles, experiment, and refine my understanding. I didn’t get to experience the big "a-ha" of the house-as-a-system revolution, it was already established by the time I entered the field. I was still in high school when Joe Lstiburek was carrying out the disasters that gave him his storytelling chops.
I’ve benefited deeply from those hard-won insights, returning to them again and again as I saw the effects of poorly thought out air sealing and insulation upgrades, non-existent drainage plane details, and general defiance towards the laws of physics.
Good training in building science cultivates a healthy respect for physics and the damage that water and temperature differences can do to a house. Repetition of core concepts and putting them into practice builds muscle memory as much as any gym routine. It helps professionals make better decisions when faced with complex, competing priorities.
Real-World Impact: Why Training Matters
A home is more than a shelter—it’s a massive financial, environmental, and emotional investment. For someone living in it, a poorly built or badly renovated house can mean health problems, constant repairs, or ignored repairs, energy bills through the roof, and dwindling value.
For homeowners or renters, for lenders, insurers, municipalities, and entire communities, an uninhabitable house is a liability. Yet, here we are.
Training in building science ensures that professionals at every stage of the construction process—from design to build to renovation—understand the consequences of their decisions. Whether it's managing airflow to prevent condensation, selecting vapor-permeable materials in the right climate zone, or installing mechanical ventilation that works with—not against—the thermal envelope, it all requires science-informed judgment.
House-As-A-System: Still Not the Norm
We still hear those same stories today: mold behind brand-new insulation, basements turned into swamps by overzealous air sealing, attics choked with moisture because nobody accounted for where that warm, moist air was going. This isn’t new. It’s just poorly applied, incomplete knowledge.
When builders, renovators, and homeowners don’t understand how interconnected systems interact inside a house, problems follow. That’s why the house-as-a-system approach must become standard practice—not a niche specialty.
A house is a major investment for the homeowner, lender and municipality, to start with – then there’s the local economic development associated with constructing, maintaining and renovating, which involves more lending, and selling, which involves a whole bunch more people: realtors, appraisers, home inspectors...the list goes on.
Understanding building science is essential for anyone involved in a construction project, from design to completion. Building science knowledge is also critical in managing construction projects, including legal and regulatory compliance.
Physics don’t change. The good news about that, is some dreadful consequences are very easy to predict, analyse, and overcome because they can be expected, because many of the ways that heat, air and moisture flows interact can be predicted. Understanding internal gains and human responses is crucial for optimizing building performance.
Introduction to Building Science
Building science is at the heart of creating buildings that truly work for people and the planet. As an interdisciplinary field, it draws from various engineering disciplines, architecture, and even the social sciences to understand how buildings function as complex systems. Building scientists study everything from the properties of building materials to the way building components interact, all with the goal of optimizing building performance and energy efficiency.
This field is essential for anyone involved in the design, construction, or operation of buildings. By applying building science principles, professionals can ensure that buildings are not only structurally sound and visually appealing, but also sustainable and healthy for occupants. A mix of experiments, computer simulations, and real-world measurements are used to develop evidence-based approaches that improve how buildings perform and reduce their environmental impact.
As new technologies and materials emerge, building science continues to evolve, offering innovative solutions to the challenges of modern construction. Whether it’s improving thermal insulation, enhancing indoor air quality, or reducing energy consumption, building science provides the fundamental knowledge needed to create better buildings for everyone.
Why Building Science Is Non-Negotiable
Building codes have ramped up energy performance targets and homeowners are looking to protect the investment in their home. It used to be a nice-to-have, but now, those energy targets make building science non-negotiable. If you don’t understand how air, moisture, and heat interact, you shouldn’t be in the business of designing, building, or renovating homes.
The laws of physics don’t change. We know how moisture behaves. We know what happens when warm air hits a cold surface. We know what insulation does and doesn’t do. And we know that people breathe, sweat, cook, bathe, and live inside buildings. Their comfort and health are deeply tied to how well the building manages those realities.
If we ignore that knowledge—or skip the training—we are setting people up for expensive fixes, premature system failures, and even tragedy.
Training for Real-World Complexity
Modern training in building science covers far more than thermal resistance and basic airflow. It spans:
- Building envelope performance: How to manage the transfer of heat, air, and moisture across walls, roofs, windows, and foundations.
- Energy efficiency strategies: From passive solar design to high-efficiency HVAC and beyond.
- Indoor air quality and occupant health: Understanding contaminants, filtration, ventilation, and moisture control.
- Climate-specific design: What works in Nova Scotia might fail miserably in the Okanagan—or Nunavut.
- Resilience and future-proofing: Designing for climate extremes, power outages, floods, fires, and aging populations.
- Codes and compliance: Navigating local, provincial, and national regulations with an eye toward best practices.
The Economics of Building Science
Investing in training may seem costly upfront. But the return on that investment is massive:
- Fewer call-backs and warranty claims
- Lower liability for builders and designers
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Better resale value for homeowners
- Improved durability and reduced maintenance over time
And on the macro level, building science training helps communities reduce GHG emissions, lower utility bills, increase housing affordability, and improve public health outcomes.
Who Else Needs Building Science Training—and Why
It’s not just builders and renovators who need to understand the principles of building science. Here’s why others should, too:
- Architects & Designers: To ensure form meets function, aesthetics are durable, and passive strategies are integrated from the start.
- Energy Advisors & HVAC Professionals: To model accurate energy use, recommend the right systems, and prevent mismatched mechanical solutions.
- Real Estate Agents & Appraisers: To recognize and communicate the added value of high-performance homes to buyers and investors.
- Homeowners: To make informed decisions about renovations, upgrades, and maintenance. Education empowers.
Building science education for these roles leads to stronger collaboration, fewer miscommunications, and better outcomes for occupants. Not everyone needs to have the same depth of understanding, but a shared language helps!
Building Science as an Economic Development Driver
A community with a strong culture of building science:
- Protects local housing stock through durable, efficient, and healthy homes.
- Reduces energy poverty by lowering household energy costs.
- Spurs innovation in construction and retrofit industries.
- Creates skilled jobs and aligns with green economy growth.
Governments and municipalities investing in building science training—whether through code requirements, incentives, or workforce development programs—are also investing in long-term economic stability.
What Should Good Building Science Training Include?
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Core Knowledge
- Thermodynamics
- Moisture dynamics
- Building materials science
- Human comfort principles
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Practical Application
- Hands-on training with envelope details
- Diagnostic tools (blower door, IR camera, psychrometer)
- Building modelling software
- Site assessments
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Case Studies and Failures
- Real-world scenarios that explore what went wrong and why. For example:
- The 1983 Leaky Condo Crisis in British Columbia, where a combination of poor flashing details, inadequate rain screens, and misunderstood vapor barriers led to billions in repairs. [CMHC Research Report, 2005]
- Fungal contamination in R-2000 homes in Atlantic Canada in the 1980s due to lack of ventilation systems in super-tight homes. [NRC/IRC Publication NRCC-35823]
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Cross-Disciplinary Learning
- Integration with HVAC design, structural engineering, and code compliance
- Working in teams to simulate real-world project dynamics
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Mentorship and Continuing Education
- Ongoing learning is vital. Building science evolves with materials, assemblies, and equipment.
The Need for Comprehensive Training
In today’s construction industry, comprehensive training in building science is more important than ever. Architects, engineers, and builders face increasing demands to deliver buildings that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and environmentally responsible. Without a solid grounding in building physics, materials science, and mechanical systems, it’s all too easy to make costly mistakes that compromise building performance and occupant health.
Effective training programs go beyond the basics, covering a wide range of topics from sustainable building practices to the intricacies of indoor air quality. They equip professionals with the specific skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern construction, ensuring that every decision—from material selection to HVAC system design—supports energy efficiency and a healthy indoor environment.
By investing in comprehensive training, educational institutions and professional organizations help raise the standard across the industry. This not only leads to better buildings, but also helps reduce the environmental impact of construction, supports efforts to combat climate change, and ultimately protects public health. In a world where the built environment plays such a crucial role in our daily lives, there’s simply no substitute for well-trained building professionals.
Importance of Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of building science, and for good reason. Buildings are among the largest consumers of energy worldwide, and improving their efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our environmental impact. By focusing on energy efficiency, we can create buildings that use less energy for heating, cooling, and lighting—without sacrificing comfort or functionality.
Achieving energy efficiency involves a combination of smart design, high-performance building materials, and advanced mechanical systems. Incorporating renewable energy systems, such as solar heating or photovoltaic panels, can further reduce a building’s reliance on non-renewable resources. Building owners and occupants also play a vital role by adopting energy-saving habits and making informed choices about how they use their spaces.
The benefits of energy efficiency go beyond environmental responsibility. Lower energy consumption translates to significant cost savings over the life cycle of a building, and energy-efficient properties often command higher market values. By making energy efficiency a priority in building design and construction, we not only help protect the planet, but also create healthier, more comfortable spaces for everyone.
Building Envelope and Construction
The building envelope is much more than just the outer shell of a building—it’s a critical system that separates the indoor environment from the natural environment outside. A well-designed building envelope acts as a barrier against unwanted heat loss, moisture transfer, and air infiltration, all of which can have a major impact on energy consumption, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort.
Every component of the building envelope, from walls and windows to roof systems and doors, must be carefully chosen and assembled to ensure optimal performance. The construction processes and materials used can make or break the effectiveness of the envelope. For example, poor installation of insulation or air barriers can lead to drafts, condensation, and even mold growth, undermining the building’s energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
By paying close attention to the design and construction of the building envelope, professionals can create buildings that are more resilient, comfortable, and energy-efficient. This not only benefits the people who live and work inside, but also helps reduce the overall environmental impact of the built environment.
Energy Modelling and Analysis
Energy modelling and analysis are powerful tools in the building science field, enabling professionals to predict and optimize a building’s energy use before construction even begins. By using sophisticated software, building scientists and engineers can simulate how different building components, mechanical systems, and design choices will affect energy consumption, cooling loads, and indoor air quality.
This process allows for evidence-based decision-making, helping to identify the most effective strategies for improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy modelling can also support life cycle costing, giving building owners a clear picture of long-term energy savings and operational costs.
In both new and existing buildings, energy modelling is invaluable for evaluating the impact of upgrades, retrofits, or the integration of renewable energy systems. It provides a roadmap for achieving high-performance buildings that meet or exceed building codes and sustainability standards. Ultimately, energy modelling and analysis are essential for anyone committed to advancing sustainable building practices and creating a healthier, more efficient built environment.
The Path Forward: Training, Certification, and Collective Action
In Canada and beyond, educational institutions, certification programs, and industry organizations offer high-quality training in building science.
Where to Start
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Online and In-Person Courses
- BCIT Building Science Graduate Programs
- Blue House Energy Online Courses
- Passive House Canada Training Pathway
- Canadian Home Builders’ Association Net Zero Training
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Professional Certifications in Canada
- CPHC (Certified Passive House Consultant)
- REA (Registered Energy Advisor)
- LEED Green Associate / AP
- HRAI HVAC Design Certification
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Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- BC Housing requires CPDs (Continuing Professional Development credits) for license renewal.
- Look for industry-approved programs offering credits for architects, engineers, and energy advisors.
Online Building Science Topics to Explore
- "airtight home design best practices"
- "cold climate building envelope strategies"
- "high-performance home retrofit training"
- "how to prevent mold in energy-efficient homes"
- "building science certification Canada"
Final Word: A Call to Action
Building science isn’t optional. It’s foundational. It’s a public health measure, a climate action strategy, and an economic development lever all rolled into one. If you work in or around the built environment—in any capacity—it’s time to level up.
- Builders and Renovators: Make building science a non-negotiable part of your workflow. Train your teams. Ask better questions. Fix problems before they start.
- Architects and Designers: Collaborate early. Understand the thermal and moisture dynamics of your envelope and how your aesthetic choices impact them.
- Homeowners: Don’t just buy finishes—invest in performance. Ask for third-party verification. Get educated before you renovate.
- Policy Makers and Municipal Leaders: Build funding programs, update codes, support workforce development. Good building science is good public policy.
In a warming world, in aging housing stock, in overburdened energy grids, in a post-pandemic indoor-air-aware society, building science is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s the baseline. And good training is where it starts.
Let’s build it right.
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