Cold Climate Conference Schedule
October 12-14, 2026 ● Bozeman, MT
Monday, October 12
Day 1: Building Enclosures. The first day focuses on designing durable, high-performing building enclosures, with practical sessions on air, water, vapor, and thermal control for cold-climate buildings.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Arrival & Check-In
Montana State University - Norm Asbjornson Hall
Enjoy coffee and time to network before the keynote speaker begins.
8:30 AM: Opening & Keynote with Joe Lstiburek
Montana State University - Norm Asbjornson Hall
Joseph Lstiburek is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation. Dr. Lstiburek’s commitment to advancing the building industry has had a lasting impact on building codes and practices worldwide, particularly in air and vapor barriers and vented and unvented roof assemblies.
Dr. Lstiburek is also an acclaimed educator who has taught thousands of professionals over the past three decades and written countless papers as well as the best-selling Builder Guides. Fittingly, the Wall Street Journal has described him as "the dean of North American building science." He has a joy for telling tall tales to his protégés and audiences.
10:30 AM: Enrico Bonilauri | EMU Passive
A registered Italian Architect and a Certified Passive House Trainer, Designer, and PHI Certifier, Enrico has gained extensive professional experience across Australia, Europe, and North America. Enrico specializes in building envelope analysis, drawing on thousands of hours spent on construction sites.
1:15 PM: Gord Cooke | Construction Instruction
Gord Cooke is a Partner with Construction Instruction Inc. Gord is a professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in the low- and high-rise residential building industry. As an educator, industry consultant, and much-sought-after presenter, Gord has a unique talent for taking the building science issues that he sees in the field and presenting them in an easily understood and practical real-world manner.
3:00 PM: Teran Foster | Cornerstone Management Services
Fewer than 8% of the US population lives in climate zones 6–8, so cold-climate construction receives limited attention in national standards. Montana also faces wildfire risk 75% higher than other states, making the standards we choose especially consequential. Applying a strict wildfire code, such as California’s, may reduce risk but does not ensure a functional building in Montana’s climate. This presentation introduces essential building-science principles, explains strategies for integrating wildfire and cold-climate standards, and provides resources for designing beautiful, resilient, and functional buildings across the northern Rocky Mountains.
5:30 PM: Dinner & Panel Discussion
Rialto Downtown Bozeman
Happy Hour 5:00 PM • Dinner at 6:00 PM • Panel at 7:00 PM
We brought the leaders from the building performance industry to Bozeman to share their knowledge here at the Cold Climate Conference. A select group of these thought leaders will be up on stage at the Rialto Theater downtown Monday night. This conversation will be inspired and directed by comments the attendees provided. You brought the ideas, and now we will ask the experts to respond. Drinks and dinner will be provided by Gute Laune. Come hungry and ready to engage these industry experts; it promises to be a lively and thought-provoking discussion. See you there.
Joe Lstiburek - Building Science Corp
Enrico Bonilauri - Emu Passive
Damon Rao - PRG Group
Kath Williams - Kath Williams and Associates
Brynn Cooksey - Air Doctor and HVAC U
This event is sponsored by PRG Group.
Tuesday, October 13
Day 2: HVAC Systems for Cold Climates: Practical sessions on designing, installing, and optimizing mechanical systems for comfort, efficiency, and healthy indoor environments.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Arrival & Check-In
Montana State University - Norm Asbjornson Hall
Enjoy coffee and time to network before the keynote speaker begins.
8:30 AM: Brynn Cooksey, Sr. CEM, CMS | HVAC U
Heat pumps are everywhere, but successful installations require more than selecting high-efficiency equipment. This session takes attendees through the “heat pump jungle,” covering load calculations, equipment selection, duct system evaluation, cold-climate design, controls, installation, and commissioning. Using real-world field examples, attendees will see common causes of poor comfort, high utility bills, and callbacks—and learn practical building science strategies to ensure heat pumps deliver the efficiency, comfort, and performance customers expect.
10:30 AM: Gary Klein | Gary Klein and Associates, Inc.
Practical Plumbing for High-Performance Buildings in Cold Climates
Do you know anyone who:
Waits a long time for hot water to arrive in their home or place of work after they turn on the tap?
Would like instantaneous hot water?
Wonders how to integrate integrated air-source heat pump water heaters into their buildings?
Would like to know the answer?
This session will explore the health, safety, energy, water, and time benefits of improving the (hot) water distribution systems in cold-climate buildings. Practical demonstrations will support the underlying principles. Bring your floor plans and your questions!
1:30 PM: Joe Medosch | Director of Training at measureQuick
Heat Pumps: What Every Homeowner and HVAC Contractor Should Know
Heat pumps provide efficient, reliable heating and cooling—but only when designed, installed, and commissioned. This session explains the importance of a well-designed system through ACCA Manuals to verify the system provides comfort for this house.
Homeowners will learn what to ask for; contractors will learn that commissioning includes measured airflow, static pressure, and refrigerant charge. We’ll also examine the logistics of outdoor temperature and operating limitations of commissioning in cooling versus heating mode—and why refrigerant charge must be verified in cooling mode - or does it?
3:15 PM: Matt Skuntz | Montana State University
This presentation will discuss some key principles in cold climate HVAC design: efficient ventilation, humidity management, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and right-sizing equipment. Some high-performance HVAC systems will be discussed, including ambient water loops and advanced performance DOAS. MSU campus buildings will be used as real-world examples.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Building Science & Beer
Montana State University - Leigh Lounge, Strand Union Building (SUB),
Join us for the event that started it all. Bozeman BS + Beer has brought building professionals in the Gallatin Valley together each month to learn, connect, and share ideas. We'll celebrate with a special evening of conversation, beer, and light snacks.
Everyone is welcome, including nonconference attendees. This event replaces our regular monthly gathering.
Hosted by Heritage Window & Door
Wednesday, October 14
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Arrival & Check-In
Montana State University - Norm Asbjornson Hall
Enjoy coffee and time to network before the keynote speaker begins.
8:30 AM: Al Dueck | DUXTON Windows & Doors
Al Dueck, Owner and Founder of DUXTON Windows & Doors, has dedicated over 35 years to window manufacturing, product design, and high-performance glazing. He holds an MBA from the University of Manitoba and founded DUXTON in Winnipeg in 1999 to build high-performance fiberglass windows and doors for demanding climates. An early innovator experimenting with vacuum insulating glass (VIG) in Alaska, Al brings decades of practical insight in energy-efficient solutions.
About Al
10:00 AM: Carl Berntsen | NCAT
Montana's Energy Code: What's Changing and What it Means for Builders
Montana is preparing to adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), bringing significant changes to residential energy requirements across the state. This presentation will review Montana’s current residential energy code, highlight the most important changes coming with the 2024 IECC, and explain what those changes mean in practice for builders, designers, contractors, and code officials. The session will focus on the building envelope, air sealing, insulation, mechanical systems, and other requirements that will have the greatest impact on how Montana homes are designed, built, and inspected.
1:00 PM: Jaya Mukhopadhyay | Montana State University
This presentation examines how Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) support healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) through consistent, balanced ventilation. It reviews key code requirements, common HRV system types, and critical considerations for cold-climate applications, including frost control, efficiency, and sizing. The session highlights how proper selection, installation, and maintenance can reduce indoor pollutants and moisture while maintaining energy efficiency. First and operating costs are also discussed to support informed decision-making.
2:15 PM Kath Williams | Kath Williams + Associates
In this 45-minute session, Kath will share short case studies of high-performance buildings in cold climates. Examples include a variety of building types from Alaska, Norway, the Netherlands, Russia, and the continental USA. Emphasis includes descriptions of strategies in architecture, engineering, and construction that support resilience as well as the health, safety, and wellness of occupants.