B4 Agenda

7:00 - 8:00 am - Registration and breakfast 

  • Breakfast sponsored by Xcel Energy

7:55 am - 8:00 am - Welcome to B4

  • Speakers: Mike Wiza, Mayor of Stevens Point and Syed Abbas, Slipstream  

8:00 - 8:30 am - The Inflation Reduction Act is here. Is your business ready?

  •  Speaker: Robin Lisowski, Slipstream

Learn what the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for builders in the Midwest and how to position yourself to access resources from the act.

8:30 - 9:30 am - Heat pump provider perspectives

  • Speakers: Maria Lauber, Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling; Jacob Wise, Auer Steel; and Aaron Anger, Advanced Comfort Systems. Moderated by Justin Margolies, Slipstream.

Join this panel discussion and learn about the state of Wisconsin's new study to develop a market transformation plan around air source heat pumps. Hear from three leaders in the residential HVAC supply chain as they offer their perspectives on the current state and growth of the heat pump market in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. With a panelist from each stage of the supply chain - a manufacturer, a distributor, and a contractor - you'll get a full picture of the heat pump market. From unique perspectives on how heat pump technology can bring benefits to residential buildings and guidance and resources to empower solutions, you'll leave this session with actionable next steps for your business. 

Objectives:

  • Define the heat pump supply chain.
  • Understand the benefits heat pumps can bring to residential buildings.
  • Identify key barriers to market adoption.
  • Describe the resources available to incorporate heat pumps into your business.

9:30 - 10:30 am - Modern energy efficiency designs and Wisconsin building codes

  • Speaker: Jim Sjolander, City of Middleton

This session will explore the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Codes (UDC) and how they affect our modern construction practices for energy-efficient housing. We will cover both new construction methods and remodeling projects, emphasizing how to ensure projects are designed to meet the Uniform Dwelling Codes. The session will also look at how they intersect with the energy code requirements. This includes the design requirements for single-family heating and ventilation and how to achieve compliance with the new design methods.

Objectives:

  • Define the WI UDC energy code and HVAC design requirements.
  • Identify methods for incorporating energy-efficient designs into single-family projects.
  • Apply the Wisconsin energy and heating codes to their energy-efficient designs and construction projects. 
  • Evaluate common issues in the field and apply the building codes to identify solutions for these issues.

10:30 - 10:45 am - Break

  • Sponsored by Alliant Energy

10:45 - 11:45 am - Heat pump water heaters - The what, when and why

  • Speakers: Kevin Gries, Slipstream and Abby Francisco, Elevate

This session will provide an overview of residential applications for heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), in both new construction and retrofit applications. We will share research findings from a study conducted by Slipstream that assessed field performance of HPWHs and customer satisfaction from 81 households with HPWHs installed.  
This session will investigate the various retrofit applications with recommendations on best applications of certain heat pump water heater technologies. It will also include findings from a research project Slipstream is currently conducting on the emerging plug-in heat pump water heater.  

Objectives: 

  • Gain a basic understanding of HPWH technology. 
  • Describe the benefits of HPWHs in new construction and progress made in Wisconsin. 
  • Explain field performance and cost savings for 240V HPWHs when replacing conventional electric water heaters. 
  • Identify barriers in electrification retrofits and describe how plug-in HPWHs might address this market. 

11:45 am - 12:45 pm - Lunch

  • Lunch sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric

12:45 - 1:45 pm - From storage to energy management systems - Master residential solar

Speaker: Nick Matthes, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

With costs dropping and the options for residential solar systems growing, is your business prepared for the demand? There are many types of residential solar plus storage systems on the market, and there are many different configurations that can impact their overall functionality. In this session, we will cover the different solar plus storage configurations available to help you identify the right solution for each situation. We will also cover the different options for energy management and how to successfully integrate an energy management system into a residential storage system. 

Objectives:

  • Recognize the different solar plus storage configurations. 
  • Recognize the different energy management systems available. 
  • Describe the importance of energy management in a solar plus storage system. 
  • Identify methodologies for integrating energy management into a solar plus storage system. 

1:45 - 2:45 pm - Resilient, efficient, and practical building assemblies

Speaker: Michael Anschel, OA Design + Build + Architecture

The building industry is changing. With imminent changes to the codes and the need to prioritize reduced loads, what building assemblies should we be putting into practice today? In this jam-packed session, we will cover installing exterior insulation over foundations and walls for both remodel projects and new construction. We will also cover how to treat ventilated rain screens behind cladding and discuss open joint rainscreen claddings.

Objectives:

  • Understand how to build an effective R28 wall using a combination of continuous exterior and cavity insulation. 
  • Recognize what materials are compatible and which control layer they comprise. 
  • Discuss the properties and function of a ventilated rain screen and benefit to the structure. 
  • Discuss and describe open joint cladding and the layers involved in making it work. 

2:45 - 3:00 pm - Break

  • Sponsored by Alliant Energy

3:00 - 4:00 pm - Home of the future, today

Speakers: Kellen McSweeney, Slipstream and Rachel Wagner, Green New Deal Homes

Residential home construction methodology is beginning to shift, and we can be at the forefront of this movement. Not only is it important for the market to shift toward all-electric construction, we must also focus on high-performance construction practices. Market transformation requires a collective effort: Builders, contractors, and potential homeowners must all be provided education, technical resources, and financial incentives to maximize the impact of the all-electric home market. We'll share the results of an over two-year-long study on all-electric residential construction and how net-zero buildings and all-electric homes are not homes of the future, but what your customers are looking for now.  

4:00 pm Gather with your B4 colleagues for networking following the last session. 

  • Sponsored by Alliant Energy - Cash bar