Steve is nationally known for his cost effective, practical approaches to building high performance structures and quality assurance. Steve's mission is helping industry professionals build structures that are durable, energy efficient, healthy and comfortable to live and work in.

He has more than 30 years of industry experience. He has performed thousands of jobsite quality surveys and presented numerous building science seminars to construction professionals around the world with an annual audience of 8-10,000 industry professionals. He is a frequently requested speaker because of his practical approach to building science, his dynamic speaking style and his unique ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms that can be integrated into practice. Steve speaks regularly for these and other professional organizations and conferences.

• International Builders Show (IBS)
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC)
• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
• 21st Century Building Show, Remodeling Show
• Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA)
• West Coast Green Residential Bldg Conf

His work has been featured in numerous periodicals some of which include:

• Builder Magazine
• Professional Builder
• Fine Home Building
• Journal of Light Construction
• Custom Builder
• Coastal Builder
• Popular Science
• Smart Home Owner
• Lumbermans Journal

Credentials

Steve is a spokesperson for the Green Building Initiative, a member of the United States Green Building Council and an advisor to the National Association of Home Builders Quality in Housing Council.

Steve was a Professor of Building Construction and Contracting with tenure at Purdue University for 10 years. Professor Easley was presented the Robert C. Morris award by the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana for energy efficiency. He also received several teaching awards while at Purdue University and was inducted into the International Construction Honor Society - Sigma Lambda Chi.

Seminars

Steve's construction and building science seminars are popular because he brings his extensive field experience and practical common sense approach to solving problems while providing needed education within the industry. Steve is a dynamic speaker with the very unique ability to explain complex building science issues in simple terms.

Seminar Topics

Seminar Title	Seminar Description
Builders"411"- the Fundamentals of Building Science	Understanding basic building physics is critical to building homes that work. This class focuses on understanding how heat, air and moisture movement in buildings impact building performance and product selection. Presenter uses real world practical examples to illustrate how the laws of nature interact with building components. This course is designed to give builders the knowledge to sort out fact from fiction among the myriad of manufacturer claims.
Air, Water and Moisture Management in Commercial Building Envelopes	This seminar addresses the necessity for building redundancy in the commercial building envelope (wall systems) to help reduce damage due to water intrusion and energy loss due to air infiltration. Participants in this seminar will receive an in-depth overview of how moisture infiltrates commercial wall systems. This causes damage to building materials, which contributes to indoor air quality problems and creates costly repair and callbacks. An interactive session quizzes participants on 'what's wrong with this picture or this design detail,' to enhance the learning experience.
Better Design and Building Practices for Reducing Mold, Water and Moisture Problems	Litigation surrounding water and moisture-related problems in residential construction has risen dramatically in recent years. Some experts estimate that as much as 80% of construction defect litigation in the residential construction market segment is due to water and moisture-related failures. Using photos gathered from years of field experience, Steve examines common design defects which create moisture problems and lead to callbacks. We'll also identify and show common installation errors, and help your audience learn how to select building materials that lead to a more durable building.
The Biggest Energy Mistakes Builders Make	When it comes to comfort and energy costs, a home's energy performance often looks good on paper but may not always meet customer expectations. This presentation focuses on technologies and installation practices that provide the "biggest bang for the buck" when it comes to making homes more energy efficient. Steve uses field slides to illustrate cost effective solutions that lead to practical and long lasting energy savings.
Cost Effective Techniques for Green Building	This colorful tour sorts out the facts and fiction with regards to Green building. This class identifies the difference between green products and "green washed products". It helps builders identify ways to affordably "green" their homes for the biggest bank for their buck. The course is the "411" to give builders the knowledge to build truly high performance homes that are durable, safe, healthy, energy efficient and comfortable to live in. The mind set of this class is "The greenest building you can build is the one you don't have to rebuild".
Cures for Common Callbacks in Homes	In the construction business, it's not how much money you make that makes you successful, it is how much money you get to keep. Callbacks cost money and can damage your company's hard-earned reputation. This seminar covers common callbacks and problems that get builders into trouble. Steve uses real world pictures to illustrate concepts and solutions that provide the biggest bang for the buck in reducing callback costs.
"Liar Liar Pants on Fire"	Homes often look great on paper but their "true life" operational performance often does not perform anywhere close to their design spec. This class examines the common thermal defects that lead to poor performing homes and call backs. The presenter uses slides from hundreds of field investigations to show causes and practical solutions to these construction defects. The focus of this talk is on designing and building homes that are energy efficient, durable and comfortable to live in. Homes that are Energy Star rated must now pass the Energy Star Thermal Bypass Checklist. This class interprets and presents cost effective methods for reducing conductive and convective bypasses to comply with the Energy Star Thermal Bypass Checklist.
Reducing Construction Defects in Multifamily Housing	Construction litigation surrounding multifamily housing is one of the highest in the industry. This presentation will help designers, developers and contractors identify designs, details and construction practices that lead to call backs. The seminar will show examples of design and construction defects that can lead to water intrusion, envelope failures and HVAC related problems.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning for Residential Buildings	Proper HVAC design, sizing and installation are critical to designing and constructing quality buildings that are energy efficient and comfortable. On average, residential HVAC systems are oversized by as much as 10% to 25%. At the same time, poor installation practices account for 25% of heating and cooling costs. Steve uses real life examples to illustrate common mistakes made when designing and installing HVAC systems. Recommendations for installation techniques and technologies for diagnostic procedures are also discussed in detail.
Residential Construction Techniques and Materials	This seminar covers fundamentals of residential construction and how they shape building performance. Steve uses photos from field experience to illustrate the "A to Z" of how homes are built, focusing on learning the terminology, systems and methods used in residential construction. Even experienced contractors will walk away from this seminar with a better understanding of the pros and cons of building methods and materials as they relate to building durability, comfort and energy efficiency.
Residential Indoor Air Quality	This seminar provides information about how to design and build homes that are comfortable, energy efficient and safe to live in. Steve uses slides to illustrate how the air quality in a home is affected by construction materials, water and moisture problems, furnishings, ventilation, human activities and construction methods. After attending this seminar, participants will walk away with an improved understanding of the causes of poor indoor air quality and approaches for building better homes.
Understanding High Performance Window Technologies	Window technologies have changed considerably in recent years. The right window product can save up to 25% on heating costs and up to 40% on cooling costs. But did you know that using the wrong window technology in the wrong climate can actually increase energy costs? Steve uses slides to illustrate how windows work, focusing on their relative value in saving energy and providing significant gains in consumer comfort.
Understanding the House as a System	Builders and remodelers must choose from hundreds of products and technologies. This seminar helps them understand the relationships between choices in windows, heating, air conditioning, ventilation strategies, insulation systems and indoor air quality. Attendees will learn how selecting the wrong window coating can increase energy costs, how replacing interior doors might cause a water heater to back draft deadly fumes into a home, and how poorly installed ducts can cause fireplace back drafting. They will also learn about building loads, foundations, framing, building science fundamentals, weather barriers, exterior cladding systems, windows, insulation, roof and attic systems, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, and interior finishes.
Cost Effective Methods for Sealing the Building Envelope to Reduce Thermal Bypasses and Meet the Energy Star Home Checklist Requirements	Energy Star Homes now require that builders complete a multi-point check list in order for new homes to carry the Energy Star label. This class offers cost effective solutions for building high performance homes. How many times have you heard the phrase "We never had these problems with homes until we started tightening homes up"? This class illustrates why tighter buildings actually perform better, last longer, and are safer to live in than the typical "accidentally ventilated" home. Steve uses pictures from the field to show problems and solutions to control the damaging effects of air infiltration/exfiltration and moisture laden air movement. Practical approaches for air sealing, reducing thermal bypasses, and cost effective insulation levels and materials are the focus of the class. Air barrier and vapor retarder selections and their proper location will also be discussed.

Steve Easley
S. C. Easley & Associates
9000 Crow Canyon Road Danville, CA 94506
Phone: 925 698-4726
Email: steve@steveeasley.com

"During a recent North Carolina Home Builders Association Expo, I attended Steve Easley's lecture on water filtration into homes and ensuing mold or rot problems. Steve showed us how simple and thoughtless construction errors can cost builders big bucks in callbacks or in a damaged reputation. I look forward to my next opportunity to hear Steve tell builders about simple and straight-forward building techniques which each of us should know; which will enhance our reputation as quality builders and save us money."

David L. Pressly, Jr.
2006 President
National Association of Home Builders

"I have attended several seminars given by Steve, and each one has been extremely informative and helpful. I've sat through a lot of seminars when you just wished it were over, but I've never felt that way with Steve's presentations. Instead, it seems there's not enough time to hear all he has to share."

Jenny Pippin
Pippin Home Designs
Cornelius, NC

Dave Dudziak
History Maker Homes
North Richland Hills, TX