How the Most Impactful Systems in Your Home Work: Heating, Cooling, Filtration, Dehumidification, Ventilation + Make-Up Air Systems

This course has a live component: you'll receive a link to join a live-virtual Zoom presentation from 10 AM to 1 PM Eastern on August 28, 2025 once you enroll in this course.

This course is approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission for 3 CE hours, #73049. Learners who wish to earn continuing education credit must attend the entire live presentation to receive CE credit. All are welcome to attend, even if you're not seeking CE credit. 


This course includes:

  • Join our live-virtual presentation for a walk through the course content during which we welcome your questions and comments.
  • Anytime access to the recording of our live presentation plus supporting materials for 60 days - learn or reference the material when it's convenient for you.
  • Access to office hours: live Zoom meetings in which you can ask questions about the recording or supporting materials.

Cost: Your investment of $39 gives you access to valuable live education, opportunities to rehearse/reference the material in this learning management system and on-going access to the instructor.

There are five (six if you have a large cooktop) systems upon which we rely for indoor environmental health + comfort… though most people are only aware of two or three. Two of these systems account for more than half of the energy consumed in the typical American home. 

Learning how these systems work and should work together can be transformative for a homeowner. We spend the vast majority of our lives indoors - we’re heavily reliant on these systems for our health.

Your health is a big part of your personal wealth. You can improve your health through better indoor air quality and indoor humidity management: reducing mold, mildew, dust mites, etc. that thrive in humid environments.

The systems also have an outsized impact on our annual household budgets because they can be expensive to install, operate and maintain. Saving money through better-performing systems grows your wealth too!

Join us to answer:

  • What are the building code requirements (minimum standard) for heating, cooling and related systems?

  • What are the components of central heating systems and how do they work?

  • What safety concerns should be addressed with combustion (natural gas or propane) appliances?

  • Do gas furnaces cause (uncomfortably) dry indoor air?

  • What supplementary heating strategies can we use for greater comfort?

  • What air filtration options are available and which are effective at reducing smog, pollen, fine particles, mold, pet dander, etc.?

  • What are the components of central cooling (air conditioning) systems and how do they work?

  • How do cooling systems deal with indoor humidity?

  • Should you have a separate system to address indoor humidity?

  • How do passive systems like air sealing, insulation and windows impact heating/cooling loads?

  • What methods of ventilation are available to improve indoor air quality and how do those methods work?

  • What is make-up air for cooktops; how do the systems work and when are they required?

  • What common maintenance issues should we plan to address each year?

This course will show you how to make the most of your opportunities so you can focus on other issues. We've designed this course to give you just enough information to ask questions that will help you qualify the people with whom you’ll work and the standards/performance you wish to achieve.

As always, we’ll make our review in terms you can understand and use when speaking with contractors, home inspectors, etc.  We invite your questions as we go so we can be sure you get the most value out of this course.

Register now and plan to join us for a live discussion of architectural elements. We welcome your questions as we go. We look forward to seeing you in our Zoom presentation from 10 AM to 1 PM Eastern on August 28, 2025!

Your enrollment period (your access to the recording) is 60 days from the date of the live presentation.


Access to the Presentation + Recording

Each person who views the presentation and has access to the recording must purchase (or have purchased for them) their own access to this course. Learners are not permitted to share access to courses.

What Happens After the Live Presentation?

We'll publish a recording of the live presentation in this learning management system. We'll notify you by email when the recording is available.

You may view the recording any time you choose and as many times as you wish within your enrollment period.

Your enrollment period (your access to the recording) is 60 days from the date of the live presentation. It typically takes three business days for the recording to be published.

Your Questions + Guidance

Please share your questions and guidance at any time through our Support page.

You Need An Account

You need an account to view a course. Setting up an account is free and easy to do - just click the "Enroll Now" button below.

If you're not currently signed in yet have an account, click the "Enroll Now" button and enter the email address you used for your account. The LMS will recognize your email address, prompt you for a password. Enter your password, click "Continue". The LMS will add the course to your account and open your dashboard to display all of your available courses.

If you're signed into the LMS, clicking the "Enroll Now" button will launch the course.

Give This Course as a Gift

You can give this course to a person using the gifting feature at checkout: Click the "Enroll Now" button and then check the box to the left of the text "This is a gift". 

You'll be prompted to provide the recipient's email and name plus a personalized message. The recipient will receive an introductory message with your personalized note. You'll receive an email with a link to the gift.

Our courses are a transformative gift of education: we teach people how to enjoy more healthy, comfortable and efficient homes and communities. Our courses are appropriate for all ages and backgrounds: homeowners, students, professionals, etc.

Terms of Service

Your participation in this course and all other RTA events is subject to RTA's Terms of Service.

Course Instructor

Advocate + Collaborator Ryan Taylor

Ryan Taylor is a registered architect. He’s also earned certifications in energy rating/performance verification, site design, disaster response, distance learning, etc. Ryan is active in community, legislative and building code issues. He’s been speaking/teaching since 2008 and is frequently invited to speak at community and industry events. His comments have been widely published.