DIY Network

How It Feels From "Best Built Home" episode DBBH-102F

In this final on-air segment host Lynda Lyday heads out to the building science laboratory of Build IQ to meet with CEO Michael Dickens to discuss how the body physically "feels" comfort. As part of the integrated approach to building, there are two main aspects of feel -- moisture and temperature. Michael demonstrates how proper distribution of conditioned air makes the temperatures more even in a house and how a new machine called an ERV can reduce moisture in the air -- eliminating that clammy feeling.

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	In this segment Michael Dickens (seen here with host Lynda Lyday) explains how moisture and temperature affect the comfort level of your home.
	Figure A
	Figure B

According to the scientists at Build IQ comfort in the home comes down to two things:

1. Moisture

2. Temperature

Michael Dickens, the CEO of Build IQ, explains that both the temperature and moisture control the comfort level of a home. "It's actually both," he said. "Ideally your builder has designed the house to work as a total system -- and looked at the air and how it mixes in the room to create that comfort, using the building scientists and heating and building contractors."

A room is made up of three levels (low, medium and high), Michael explains, and with better window technology and a diffuser (figure A) either high in the wall or ceiling "conditioned" air can now be brought in to create a more comfortable environment in the room, which is controlled by smarter thermostats.

Like a glass of ice water, if there is too much moisture in the room you'll most likely sweat and become clammy. Michael notes that a new technology called Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV -- figure B) controls the moisture in a room. The outside air comes in via the ERV and mixes with air from the room, crosses over in the CRV where the moisture is pulled out and the dry air is put back into the room to create comfort.

In the next episode of Best Built Home the steps that better production builder take during construction to make a house more "durable" are explored.

RESOURCES :

Oakwood Homes
Phone: 303-486-8500
Website: www.MoreHouseLessMoney.com

Hedgewood Properties
E-mail: sales@hedgewoodhomes.com
Website: www.hedgewoodhomes.com

D.R. Horton
Home Builder
Phone: 916-965-2200
Website: www.drhorton.com
Sacramento Website: www.sacramento.drhorton.com

GUESTS :

Michael Dickens
CEO, BuildIQ
Website: www.buildiq.com

George Del Valle
Insulation Contractor
AC Insulation
Phone: 770-787-1065
E-mail: ACInslation@yahoo.com

Robert Lynman
Supervisor of Cellulose Insulation
Allied Insulation
Phone: 303-289-3326

Rob Johnson
Energy Efficiency Consultant
EarthCraft House
Website: www.earthcrafthouse.com