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BATON ROUGE — The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center is offering two training and certification classes to help contractors, inspectors and prospective energy code verifiers meet or exceed Louisiana residential energy code requirements — and avoid common problems of homes in this hot, humid climate.
A Duct and Envelope Tightness Verifier certification class will be held Jan. 8-9. The class is designed for those who seek certification to test and verify Louisiana energy code building and duct tightness requirements.
An HVAC for Home Performance class on Jan. 8-10 includes the DET class and an extra day of building science insights for HVAC and home building contractors.
Either class is also beneficial for building officials, home inspectors, consultants and others, said LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel.
“A little-known fact is that as the energy-efficiency bar rises, the margin of error shrinks, which can lead to moisture problems, decay damages and health hazards,” Reichel said. “So these classes go beyond mere code compliance to shape an understanding of building science concepts that affect end results — the good, the bad and the ugly.
“These classes were created to help housing professionals produce better-performing homes so their customers can enjoy greater energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort, indoor air quality and durability.”
Participants who complete the DET course, and written and field exams will be designated Southface Energy Institute-certified DET Verifiers to perform diagnostic testing and report the building and duct tightness results to verify compliance with the 2009 IRC energy code.
LaHouse Resource Center is an authorized provider for Southface DET training and certification.
The HVAC for Home Performance class includes the DET course as well as best practices to prevent, diagnose and solve heating, cooling and ventilation challenges in a hot, humid climate.
DET certification is especially beneficial to HVAC contractors because it provides more options for code compliance that are not available to those who are certified only in using duct test equipment for “total leakage” measurements, Reichel said. DET verifiers can do both “total leakage” and “leakage to outside” tests.
All participants receive a handbook, online tutorials, classroom instruction and hands-on practice, plus the DET exams. The classes also count for CEU hours for Louisiana residential contractors and home inspectors.
More information, fees and links to register are available at the LaHouse Resource Center website, www.LSUAgCenter.com/LaHouse. The classes will be held at LaHouse, an educational demonstration of high-performance building systems, located at 2858 Gourrier Ave. across from LSU Alex Box Baseball Stadium.

Joseph “Buck” Butler, Jr., 61, a resident of Patterson, La., passed away on Monday, December 10, 2018 at Teche Regional Medical Center at 11:22 a.m.
Visitation will be observed from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. on Saturday December 22, 2018 at the Railroad Avenue Church of Christ 1105 Railroad Avenue Morgan City, La., with Stanley Rankins officiating the services. Burial will follow funeral services in the Nazarene Cemetery in Verdunville, La.
Those left to cherish wonderful memories of Joseph, Jr. or “Buck” as he was known to many, are his three sons, Joseph Butler, III of Morgan City, La., Channing Bartley of Dallas, TX, David Dugar of Houston, TX; four daughters, Mrs. Patrick (Latasih) Harris of Broussard, La., Natalie Butler of Norcross, GA, Mrs. Channing (Donsha) Johnson of Dallas, TX and Mrs. Henry ( Dinosius) Jackson of Opelousas, La.; his mother, Mary Butler of Patterson, La.; two brothers, Neal Butler of Franklin and David Butler of Patterson, La.; one sister, Berthena Butler-King all of Patterson, La.; a god-daughter, Evelyn Vanwright of Port Arthur, TX; seventeen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Joseph Jr. was preceded in death by his father, a brother, a niece, and both his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Mrs. Elizabeth “Bette” Lee Henry, age 81, a native and resident of Franklin, La. passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Franklin Sr. High School Auditorium (1401 Cynthia St. Franklin, La.) form 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with funeral service also Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 11 a.m.
Mrs. Henry, is survived by (4) Sons: Wilfred (Brenda) Henry, Jr. of Franklin, La.; Elder Wilbert (Susanne) Henry of Mableton, Georgia; Rodney (Gayle) Henry, Sr., of Atlanta, Georgia; & Donald R. Henry of San Francisco, CA; (4) Daughters: Dr. Linda Henry McCarty and Anita Faye (Jonathan) Henry both of Chicago, Illinois; Lena Mae Henry of Franklin, La.; and Brendadale H. (David) Smith of Lafayette, La.; (5) Sisters: Barbara Jones of Stone Mountain, Georgia; Naomi Welch, LeMander Phillips, Julie (Henry) Lee, all of Franklin, La.; and Acqueline (James) Jones of Franklin, La.; and Cocoa, Florida; (3) Clark Lee and Kenneth (Rebecca) Lee both of Franklin, La.; Riley (Eunice) Lee of Jeanerette, La.; (22) Grandchildren , (34) Great Grandchildren
The OTIS MORTUARY, Inc. of Franklin, La. is in charge of arrangements.

Jeanette Trahan Breaux, age 90, of the Kiln, passed away on December 17, 2018, surrounded by family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis J. Breaux, III; her parents, Euzebe Trahan and Alice Borel Trahan; a son, Patrick Breaux; her brothers, P.J. Trahan and Ira Trahan; son-in-law, Bubby Hoda; and a grandson, Brian Hoda.
Survivors include her children, Louis (Veronica) Breaux, IV; Christine (Bert) Courrege, Charlene Breaux; Norman Breaux, Jack (Tiffany) Breaux, Marlene Hoda, and Bryan (Regina) Breaux; a sister, Beulah Martin; 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Mrs. Breaux was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was a member at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in White Cypress. She was an active Girl Scout Leader, was active in the PTA and CYO at Annunciation Catholic School, and enjoyed doing things for people in the community. She preferred to stay in the background – she was never one for recognition.
The family would like to thank Canon Hospice, her caregivers, Marian Paige and Christine Verdin, and her granddaughters, and great-granddaughters that helped care for Mrs. Breaux.
Visitation will be on Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 27074 St. Matthew Church Rd., White Cypress. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm in the church. Entombment will be in St. Matthew Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Matthew Catholic Church.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln DeLisle Rd., Pass Christian, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com