With more than fifteen years of experience within the building performance industry, Walsh has extensive knowledge of HVAC systems, air distribution, building ventilation, indoor air quality and energy efficiency for both commercial and residential applications. He has been a key speaker at numerous industry events, both domestically and abroad on various topics related to building performance and technological innovations that are transforming the industry. Walsh is currently Senior Vice President of Strategy at Aeroseal LLC. He has also held executive-level positions at Airefco Inc. and Carrier Corporation. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University and a MBA from Yale School of Management.
Topics of expertise: HVAC efficiency, commercial building ventilation, air distribution systems, indoor air quality, building performance, HVAC building code and specifications, building envelope, building envelope sealing.
Commercial Duct Systems: The Current State of Regulatory Compliance, Design & Best Practices.
Over the last several years, new research has underlined the significant role that air distribution systems play in the indoor air quality of commercial buildings. At the same time, technological innovations in duct design and remediation have led to changing standards and tighter regulatory codes. This presentation will review key updates to the ASHRAE 62.1 standard for ventilation and indoor air quality, the SMACNA duct design manual for energy efficiency and other related industry guidelines. We will look at recent study results that highlight the size and scope of the problems associated with building ventilation and the direct correlation between duct leakage rates, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Ventilation Rehabilitation in Existing Buildings: Innovations Spark New Trend In NYC Building Retrofitting.
The findings of a recent survey of building professionals highlight a significant problem plaguing most U.S. building today – leaky ductwork and ventilation shafts. Nearly 75% of those surveyed believe a leakage rate of 30% or more is common in most U.S. buildings and these leaks are responsible for significant energy loss as well as poor indoor air quality. By all estimates, this near ubiquitous problem has been tolerated for one primary reason – there simply has been no viable solution. In 2008, engineering firm Steven Winters Associates (SWA), using innovative new technologies, began to change this reality by completing the first comprehensive building ventilation retrofit for improving indoor air quality performance. Since the completion of this retrofit project, thousands of similar multifamily apartments with central ventilation have been retrofitted for higher energy performance and improved indoor air quality. This presentation will look at the size and scope of the problem, its impact on indoor air quality and other building performance issues. We will examine innovative new technologies from the U.S. Department of Energy and elsewhere that are changing the way building engineers, facility managers and others are resolving this previously unsolvable problem for schools, hotels, hospitals, apartments and other existing buildings.
Obtaining Improved Indoor Air Quality In Commercial Buildings. The New Low Hanging Fruit
Recent studies by the U.S. Department of Energy surprised many industry professionals with findings that indicate the single biggest contributor to poor indoor air quality is leaky ventilation systems. The DOE estimates that 80% of U.S. buildings today lose 20% to 60% of their efficiency through these leaks. Unfortunately, the problem has been all but ignored due to the ineffectiveness of current duct sealing methods. To address this problem, the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored research that led to the development of an innovative approach to ventilation rehabilitation that works from the inside of the ventilation shafts to locate and seal leaks. The introduction of aerosol-based duct sealing technology is changing the rules on IAQ strategies for both new construction and renovation projects across the globe.
The Future of HVAC: Taking The Leap Into Home Performance
Innovative breakthroughs are having a real impact on the HVAC industry, redefining the role of these professionals as a major provider of indoor comfort and improved indoor air quality expertise. Making the transition into the home performance market, however, can be a daunting task that effects all aspects of the business – from sales and marketing to employee training to expanding service offerings.
The Changing Reality of Energy Savings
Over the past several years, the basic rules pertaining to energy savings and indoor air quality have undergone major revision. Thanks to ongoing research, new technologies and a better understanding of building performance science, we’ve learned that some of the most popular IAQ strategies may not provide the positive impact that we’ve come to believe. At the same time, alternative strategies with offering significant results have emerged. This presentation will provide a comparative perspective on traditional and emerging home performance strategies.
Innovations In Building Envelope Sealing
A tight building envelope is generally considered the cornerstone of overall building performance. Recent breakthroughs in envelope sealing technology have transformed a complex and often ineffective multi-stage process into a simple, highly effective single-step procedure. This presentation will review the role that envelope sealing plays in overall building performance, the various processes employed by traditional envelope sealing and an in-depth look at recent innovations in the field.