Explore building science with The Flow Lab Podcast, hosted by Ben Walker and Sam Meyers of Retrotec. Discover building envelope and HVAC ductwork airtightness, featuring discussions with industry leaders on evolving codes, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Learn from pioneers and case studies to enhance your expertise. Join our community and lead in building science. Follow The Flow Lab Podcast for insights and innovations in building performance.
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What Actually Improves Your Homes Indoor Air Quality
Season 2 · Episode 4
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 • Duration 44:26
Most “Indoor Air Quality upgrades” are just gadgets in a box. And a lot of them can make things worse.
HVAC and building science veteran John Ellis joins Sam Myers and Ben Walker to break down what actually moves the needle in a home: thermal comfort, ventilation, filtration, humidity control, building pressure, and source control.
If you build, renovate, or work on HVAC, this episode will change how you think about “clean air” and what it takes to actually deliver it.
Video Notes: Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Changes (0:00) Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Measurements (1:43) Dust Free 16 Filter Development (5:59) Filter Media and Performance (10:07) Distribution and Market Reception (14:16) Indoor Air Quality and Building Science (15:59) Challenges in the HVAC Industry (26:24) Data-Driven Solutions and Training (39:51) Menu Pricing System for IAQ Services (42:04) Future Developments and Final Thoughts (44:18)
Connect with : John Ellis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ellis-b13b0411/
Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/
Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/
Why Your House Is Humid (Even With New HVAC SYSTEM)
Season 2 · Episode 3
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 • Duration 50:11
Everyone blames the HVAC System. Most of the time, that’s wrong. Nikki Krueger breaks down why modern homes struggle with humidity, even with high-efficiency systems, and why dehumidification has become a missing piece in comfort, health, and durability.
Sam, Ben and Nikki talk crawl spaces, shoulder seasons, overcooling, air leakage, ventilation mistakes, and the real-world install details contractors keep getting wrong.
If you work on houses, or live in one ... this conversation will change how you think about moisture control.
Video Notes: Placement and Ducting of Dehumidifiers (2:31) Air Distribution and Heat Generation (6:08) Retrofitting and Challenges in Existing Homes (8:51) Humidity Control and Building Codes (12:20) Ventilation Strategies and Industry Advancements (29:07) Contractor Mistakes and Best Practices (38:56) Industry Collaboration and Future Directions (48:11) Final Thoughts and Future Opportunities (49:52)
In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker, Co-CEO of RetroTec, and Sam Myers, building science specialist and RetroTec trainer, sit down with Niek-Jan Bink, Director/co-owner at ACIN instrumenten and mastermind behind innovative tools like the Flow Finder Mk2+ and the ADT.
Niek shares his fascinating journey from climate research to engineering HVAC solutions, while uncovering the evolving needs of ventilation systems around the globe. This is a must-listen for HVAC pros, energy auditors, and building scientists curious about the tools shaping better indoor air quality and airtight construction.
Expect to Learn:
From a handmade aluminum box to a smart, Wi-Fi powered airflow measurement device.
A new tool that simplifies testing on large-scale housing projects without replacing the blower door.
Discover how ultrasonic tools are transforming on-site diagnostics, no construction delays required.
Why do the U.S. and Europe approach airflow, ventilation, and ductwork so differently.
What Niek learned from experts like Bill Spohn and Colin Genge, and why curiosity is key in HVAC.
In Today’s Episode:
[00:00] - How it works with or without the blower door
[01:13] - Meet Niek-Jan Bink and his work with ACIN Instrumenten in the Netherlands
Fixing HVAC Air Leaks to Cut Energy Waste and Improve System Performance with Aeroseal’s Amit Gupta
Season 1 · Episode 5
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 • Duration 40:47
The basics to help you understand homes as a system.
Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.
In this episode of The Flow Lab, hosts Ben Walker, Co-CEO of RetroTec, and Sam Myers, building science specialist and RetroTec trainer, are joined by Amit Gupta, the CEO of Aeroseal. Together, they explain the innovative world of air sealing technology, focusing on ductwork and building envelope sealing. The conversation examines into the challenges and breakthroughs in building performance, energy efficiency, and the future of sealing technologies, offering valuable knowledge for professionals in the HVAC and building science sectors.
Expect to Learn
The evolution of Aeroseal’s technology from duct sealing to building envelope solutions.
How the Aeroseal technology works, including its ability to fill air leaks in ducts and buildings.
Insights into the challenges faced by builders and HVAC professionals in sealing air leaks.
The environmental and financial benefits of improving air tightness in buildings.
The potential of the Aeroseal technology to become standard practice in HVAC installations and home construction.
In Today’s Episode
[00:00] - Amit’s Journey to Aeroseal
[00:59] - Introduction
[04:03] - The Technology Behind Aeroseal
[05:15] - How Aeroseal Works
How Blower Door Testing Became the HVAC Industry Standard for Air Tightness with Brendan Reid
Season 1 · Episode 4
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 • Duration 38:01
The basics to help you understand homes as a system.
Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.
In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers continue their conversation with Brendan Reid, a pioneer in home performance and HVAC sales. Brendan shares expert knowledge into ductwork efficiency, sales strategies, and the science of customer communication. He explains why smaller HVAC systems often perform better, the role of air sealing, and how to educate homeowners without overwhelming them with technical jargon. Whether you’re an HVAC professional or a building science enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to elevate your skills.
Expect to Learn
The Power of Proper Duct Sealing, Why fixing duct leakage before upgrading HVAC systems leads to better efficiency and comfort.
How to Communicate HVAC Benefits to Homeowners Using relatable analogies to explain airflow, ductwork, and energy efficiency.
Mastering the Sales Process, Why sales objections should be seen as opportunities and how to use psychology to guide customer decisions.
Behavioral Science in Sales, How asking the right questions keeps customers engaged and makes technical concepts easier to understand.
The Future of HVAC Training Brendan’s insights into modern home performance solutions and upcoming sales education initiatives.
In Today’s Episode
[01:14] - Welcome Back to The Flow Lab Podcast
[03:45] - The Importance of Clean Air and Ductwork Efficiency
[06:12] - Using Analogies to Simplify HVAC Concepts
How HVAC Experts Make Millions Selling Comfort, Not Energy Savings, with Brendan Reid
Season 1 · Episode 3
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • Duration 50:51
The basics to help you understand homes as a system.
Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.
In this episode of The Flow Lab, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Brendan Reid, an industry veteran and founder of Retrotec, to look into the history and evolution of blower door testing, energy auditing, and building performance.
Brendan shares his journey from chimney sweeping in high school to pioneering the blower door industry, detailing the innovations, challenges, and opportunities in building science. With knowledge of the energy efficiency, home performance diagnostics, and airtightness testing, this conversation is a goldmine for HVAC professionals, energy auditors, and anyone passionate about building performance.
Expect to Learn
The history and evolution of blower door testing and how it changed the industry.
Why energy auditing businesses struggle and how to make them more profitable.
The story of Retrotech's founding and its impact on airtightness testing.
How technology advancements have improved duct sealing and home performance.
Sales awareness for contractors looking to sell energy efficiency solutions effectively.
In Today’s Episode
[00:00] - Welcome to The Flow Lab & Episode Introduction
[01:20] - Introduction of Brendan Reid and his Accidental Entrepreneur Journey
[05:19] - Early Days of Energy Auditing & The First Blower Door
[10:32] - Building Science Innovations & Testing Evolution
Follow Hosts:
How Blower Door Testing Revolutionized Energy Efficiency and Built an Industry with Colin Genge
Season 1 · Episode 2
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 • Duration 51:44
The basics to help you understand homes as a system.
Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.
In this episode of The Flow Lab, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Colin Genge, founder of RetroTec and a pioneer in building science and HVAC innovation. They take a look at the origins of blower doors, the evolution of air tightness testing, and the future of energy conservation.
Collin shares fascinating observations of the early days of RetroTech, the challenges of breaking into the market, and how the industry has changed over the years. He also investigates renewable energy, AI, and the future of building performance.
This episode is packed with wisdom for HVAC professionals, building scientists, and anyone interested in energy efficiency and technological advancements.
Collin Genge is a pioneer in building science, best known for founding RetroTech, a leader in air tightness and HVAC testing equipment. With decades of experience, Collin has played a crucial role in shaping energy efficiency standards worldwide. Now retired and living in New Zealand, he continues to analyze renewable energy and disruptive technology.
Expect to Learn
The garage startup story of RetroTech and the origins of blower doors.
How energy conservation and air tightness testing have evolved since the 1980s.
The impact of government programs and regulations on building performance.
Why renewable energy and AI are shaping the future of the industry.
In Today’s Episode
The First Airtight Home That Started the Energy Efficiency Revolution with Harold Orr
Season 1 · Episode 1
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 • Duration 57:08
The basics to help you understand homes as a system.
Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.
Welcome to the very first and special episode of The Flow Lab, where hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Harold Orr, a pioneering figure in building science and energy efficiency. Harold shares the fascinating story behind the invention of the blower door, the groundbreaking Saskatchewan Conservation House, and how these innovations shaped modern air-tightness standards.
With decades of experience, Harold explains the evolution of air leakage testing, the challenges of energy-efficient construction, and the importance of sealing techniques for sustainable buildings. This episode is packed with historical insights and practical knowledge for anyone interested in building science, HVAC, and home energy efficiency.
Expect to Learn
How Harold Orr pioneered the development of the blower door and air-tightness testing
The origins of the Saskatchewan Conservation House and its impact on the Passive House movement
The evolution of building insulation and air barriers for energy-efficient construction
Common misconceptions about air-tightness and the myth that "houses need to breathe"
The "chainsaw retrofit" method for improving insulation in older homes
In today’s Episode
[00:01:51] – Welcome to The Flow Lab
[00:02:07] – The purpose of The Flow Lab
[00:02:50] – Introduction to Harold Orr
[00:04:40] – How Harold started working in air-tightness and building efficiency
Connect with Guest Harold OrrFollow the Hosts
The Flow Lab Podcast Coming Soon!
Season 1
Monday, February 17, 2025 • Duration 00:40
Welcome to The Flow Lab Podcast by Retrotec!
This is a project that Ben and Sam have been working on for a while. The goal is to provide education and news on technology advancements in the industry through a new platform.
In each episode, we interview industry leaders and innovators whether they have been in the industry for a while or are up-and-coming pros.
Our first episode drops next week with special guest Harold Orr: Inventor of the blower door.
Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/
Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/
High school students are building real, high-performance homes… and hitting 0.9 ACH50. Matt Blomquist joins The Flow Lab to unpack how his class builds tighter houses than most pros, why blower-door testing is a game-changer, and how hands-on education is shaping the next generation of builders.
If you care about building science, air sealing, or the future of the trades, this episode hits hard.
Matt Blomquist's Journey into Teaching and House Building (0:00) Starting the House Building Program (3:16) Student Involvement and Class Structure (4:31) Challenges and Achievements in House Building (42:20) High Performance Building Science (42:38) Impact and Future of the Program (42:54)
Video Notes: Matt Blomquist's Journey into Teaching and House Building (0:00) Starting the House Building Program (3:16) Student Involvement and Class Structure (4:31) Challenges and Achievements in House Building (42:20) High Performance Building Science (42:38) Impact and Future of the Program (42:54)
Connect with : Matt Blomquist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/build_learn_teach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@build_learn_teach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattblomquist/
Follow Hosts: Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/
Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/
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