EP218 Breaking Down Silos: The Path to Better Retrofit Training with Ben Hildebrandt (May 2025)

Building HVAC Science

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Ben Hildebrandt, a passionate advocate for building science and green technology education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Ben shares his winding career path—from automotive mechanics to aircraft maintenance to architectural technology—and how that journey has shaped his deep commitment to sustainable building practices.

Ben discusses the role of applied research at SAIT, highlighting its focus on real-world implementation of green technologies in residential and commercial buildings. He covers the challenges of deep energy retrofits, labor shortages, and siloed efforts within the industry, and offers insights into training programs aimed at bridging those gaps. The conversation also explores comfort, thermal resilience, and the importance of integrating mechanical systems with building envelopes to avoid costly failures.

Whether you’re a contractor, designer, educator, or just curious about the future of high-performance buildings, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at what’s working—and what still needs work—in the green building movement.

Some great quotes from the episode:

You can’t have a green building if you ignore building science—it’s the foundation for comfort, health, and durability."

"The real challenge isn’t technology—it’s training enough people to use it right."

"We don’t need more silos in this industry. We need bridges."

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhildebrandt/

Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Guide (Free PDF Download): https://www.enbix.ca/document/a-guide-to-deep-energy-retrofits/

SAIT Applied Research and Innovation Services Hub: https://www.sait.ca/research-and-innovation-services

Retrofit Canada (some great completed Canadian Retrofit Case studies here): https://retrofitcanada.com/

This episode was recorded in May 2025.