Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 10-15 minutes before start time.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CT
Agenda:
Presented by Joe Lawendowski, PE
Understanding Cold Climate Effects on Structures
- Climate zones
- The science of heat, air and moisture migration in structures
- Effects of freeze/thaw cycle
- Energy efficiency goals
- Thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality
Cold Climate Structural Design
- International Residential Code (IRC) structural provisions
- Other standards and guidelines
- Dead loads
- Live loads
- Combined loads
- Wind loads
- Ice and snow loads
- Flood loads
Break
Cold Climate Foundation Design
- Examining site soils and characteristics
- Choosing a foundation type: footings, piles, basements, slabs
- Designing and using frost-protected foundations
- Drainage and waterproofing
Air, Vapor and Weather Barriers
- Air barriers and vapor retarders
- Exterior weather barriers
- Insulation
- Windows and doors
Break
HVAC Systems for Cold Climate Homes
- Heat pumps
- Conventional HVAC systems
- Space heating and cooling
- Ventilation
- HVAC control systems
Webinar Instructions
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.
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Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS
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Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions)
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Credits
Engineers
6.0 PDHs
Architects
6.0 HSW CE Hours
AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 HSW LUs
ICC - International Code Council
0.6 CEUs in Building
This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 PDHs for professional engineers and 6.0 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects in all states that allow this learning method. Please refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.
HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida (Provider License No: CEA362), Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, and New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00049300). HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York engineers and architects via its registration with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. Other states do not preapprove continuing education providers or courses.
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.
The International Code Council has approved this event for .6 CEUs in the specialty area of Building (Preferred Provider No. 1232).
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).
While this course is designed to qualify for credit in all states, licensing boards have final authority with respect to acceptance of credits. We recommend reviewing the rules of your licensing board(s) before undertaking any continuing education activities.
On-Demand Credits
The credits listed above apply only to the live webinar. This course in an on-demand format may not qualify for the same credit in some states. Please refer to specific board rules to determine if an asynchronous, on-demand course is appropriate. The following credits will be included in the on-demand format:
- 6.0 HSW LUs (AIA)
Speakers
Joseph Lawendowski, P.E.
Professional Engineer, Owner of Onsite Consulting & Engineering in Big Lake, AlaskaMr. Lawendowski specializes in structural design focused on residential and light commercial projects. He is a long-time Alaskan who retired from the military after more than 23 years of service and has more than ten years of engineering and construction experience. Mr. Lawendowski’s background includes experience in design, construction, testing and monitoring of engineered projects. He has worked all over the state of Alaska, including extensive time in the arctic and remote regions. Mr. Lawendowski takes a practical and economical approach to design, considering who is going to be doing the construction and how it will be done. He has hands-on experience in the construction of water and wastewater systems; the construction and renovation of buildings and large earth works projects. He is currently licensed in AK, HI, ID, LA, ME, MT, OK, TX and UT.
AIA Info
AIA Provider Statement:
HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Course Title: Residential Design Strategies for Cold Climates
Delivery Method: Live Online
Course Description: This six-hour course explores residential design strategies specifically tailored for cold climates. The course explains how cold climate conditions affect building structures and identifies best practices for designing resilient, energy-efficient homes that ensure thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality. The course will also focus on cold climate foundation design, air, vapor, and weather barriers, as well as HVAC systems for cold climate homes.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to describe how heat, air and moisture can migrate within structures, affecting thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality, and the effects of the freeze-thaw cycle.
Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to reference and comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) provisions and standards related to various load types, including dead, live, wind, ice, snow, and flood loads.
Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to identify effective foundation types and design strategies for cold climates, including frost-protected foundations, and utilize appropriate drainage and waterproofing techniques.
Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to consider the selection and integration of HVAC systems suitable for cold climate homes, including heat pumps, conventional systems, and ventilation strategies.
LUs: 6.0
LU Type: LU|HSWs
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Course Expiration Date: 11/12/2027
Complaint Resolution Policy:
Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.
6 Knowledge Points
Purchase this course using Knowledge Points by clicking the button below.
(Account login required. Knowledge Points can only be redeemed by the owner of the points. Cannot be combined with any other forms of payment)