This course introduces students to the benefits and barriers of commercial building energy efficiency through an in-depth look into EPA's ENERGY STAR program. Topics include current trends in commercial building energy efficiency, transforming the market with ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy management, rating building energy efficiency with Portfolio Manager, best energy efficiency practices, engaging employees in energy conservation, and tracking energy savings and greenhouse emissions reductions over time. This course includes hands-on learning opportunities such as measuring the energy use of an actual building and identifying energy efficiency opportunities.
This course presents theory, methods, and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. It focuses on blower doors, combustion safety, building science, safety, and hand/power tools. It also includes the basics of mobile home and multi-family weatherization.
This course presents theory, methods, and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. It focuses on demonstration and hands-on application of weather-stripping (air sealing), insulation, mechanical ventilation, caulking, and door and window installation. It features more difficult weatherization procedures such as basements and crawl spaces.
This course takes new and experienced weatherization workers through several modules introducing and expanding upon basic technical and safety skills essential for effective mobile home weatherization. Topics include introduction to mobile homes; duct diagnostics and repair; belly, sidewall, and roof retrofit; heating systems; and other mobile home-specific competencies and terminology.
This course covers the testing and documentation of combustion appliance zone depressurization tests. The training consists of classroom instruction and field demonstrations. Field training demonstrates the testing protocols and allows students to engage in proper use of the equipment while focusing on pre- and post-safety inspections and gas leak detection relevant to the combustion appliances. Students receive an advanced understanding of air leakage and air pressure dynamics, CAZ depressurization tests, calculation of minimum ventilation levels, and proper reporting requirements.
This course takes new and experienced weatherization crew chiefs through several modules introducing and expanding upon basic safety, proficiency, and productivity skills essential for effective crew management. Topics include the role of crew chief; communication and leadership skills; organizational skills, including the tracking/maintenance of equipment and the tracking/warehousing of materials; and technical expertise, including building/safety codes, quality control, safe work practices, and general weatherization competencies.
Students learn home energy auditing concepts and techniques and apply them in lab exercises. Concepts include savings payback, building science, infiltration theory, degree days, and retrofit projects. Techniques include blower door-guided air leakage test, baseload measurement, heat systems testing and analysis, and measuring and working with a field data collection form.
This course is the foundation for solar energy and other renewable energy courses. It provides definitions and concepts for passive and active solar energy systems. Active solar includes solar air, solar water, and solar electric. The course discusses applications of solar principles and practices for daylighting, space heating, hot water, and electrical. Additional topics include wind, biomass, sustainability, and residential and commercial building and energy conservation.
This course provides training related to site selection of solar systems. It reviews principles of passive solar as an introduction to the proper location (roof, wall, or ground) that is critical to a successful active solar installation. The training includes a visit to a solar installation and use of a site selector. There is a safety briefing and system overview before climbing any structures. Activities vary according to the experience and needs of the students.
This course provides knowledge of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaics or PV). Topics include on-grid and off-grid systems, overall design fundamentals including power load calculations, inverter selection, disconnects, wiring for grid intertie, charge controller technology, battery types and sizing, storage, wiring for stand-alone and related, and topics related to solar electric systems.
This course provides knowledge of solar thermal systems (solar thermal includes solar air and water). Topics include collector design and placement, principles of heat transfer and air and fluid movement, ventilation and register placement, blower selection, various applications of closed loop, drainback, and storage designs, pump selection, controller function, and electrical safety.
This course provides a working knowledge of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaics or PV). Topics include on-grid and off-grid systems, overall design fundamentals (including power load calculations, inverter selection, disconnects, wiring for grid intertie, charge controller technology, battery types and sizing, storage, and wiring for stand-alone), and related concepts. The class meets the needs of residential and light commercial applications. Installation training is in three separate seminars of 1.5 hours each (SNRG 1231, SNRG 1232, and SNRG 1233). Activities include module siting, installation and safety, on-grid wiring and safety, and off-grid wiring, battery operation, and safety.
This course provides installation training related to solar electric systems. It includes a site visit to an installation in progress or already completed. Students closely observe the system components and participate if job site activities allow. The beginning of the course includes a safety briefing and system overview. Work activities vary according to the planning of the seminar.
This course is one of three that provide installation training for SNRG 1220 Solar Electric Systems Design. It focuses on solar electric module siting and placement and reviews roof, ground, and pole mounting with one selected for hands-on practice. Safety topics include proper module handling techniques, disconnects, grounding, and wiring to the inverter.
This course is one of three that provide installation training for SNRG 1220 Solar Electric Systems Design. It focuses on inverter placement, wiring, and utility disconnect requirements. Safety topics include proper circuit breaker and conductor sizing, placement of disconnects, grounding, and inverter wiring.
This course is one of three that provide installation training for SNRG 1220 Solar Electric Systems Design. It focuses on off-grid design considerations including battery placement, dc wiring, and ac connections. Safety topics include proper circuit breaker and conductor sizing, placement of disconnects, grounding, and inverter wiring.
This course provides a working knowledge of solar warm air systems. Topics include collector design and placement, principles of heat transfer and air movement, ventilation and register placement, blower selection, controller function, and electrical safety. The class meets the needs of residential and light commercial applications. Installation training is in three separate seminars of 1.5 hrs each (SNRG 1251, SNRG 1252, and SNRG 1253) covering collector siting, installation, and safety.
This course provides installation training related to solar warm air systems. It includes a site visit to an installation in progress or already completed. Students closely observe the system components and participate if job site activities allow. The beginning of the course includes a safety briefing and system overview. Work activities vary according to the planning of the seminar.
This course is one of three that provides installation training for SNRG 1240 Solar Air Systems Design. It focuses on solar warm air collector siting and placement and reviews roof, ground, and side-wall mounting with one selected for hands-on practice. Safety topics include roof practices, proper collector handling techniques, and waterproofing roof or wall penetrations.
This course is one of the three that provides installation training for SNRG 1240 Solar Air Systems Design. It focuses on solar warm air ventilation, ducting, and register placement. Safety topics include roof practices, attic movement, wall penetrations, and insulation protection.
This course is one of three that provides installation training for SNRG 1240 Solar Air Systems Design. It focuses on blower placement, ventilation flow rates, controller, and sensor placement. Safety topics include roof practices, attic movement, insulation protection, electrical wiring, and grounding.
This course provides a working knowledge of solar hot water systems. Topics include collector design and placement, principles of heat transfer and fluid movement, various applications of closed loop, drainback and storage designs, pump selection, controller function, and electrical safety. The class meets the needs of residential and light commercial applications. Installation training is in three separate seminars of 1.5 hours each (SNRG 1271, SNRG 1272, and SNRG 1273) and covers collector siting, installation, and safety.
This course gives students an understanding of solar hot water heating with a focus on hydronic applications. It reviews the components and functions of solar hot water systems and evaluates solar drainback and closed loop designs for residential and light commercial applications. The course demonstrates heat storage and distribution using various types of heat exchangers and radiant tubing. Installation training is in three separate seminars (1.5 hours each - SNRG 1271, SNRG 1272, and SNRG 1273) covering collector siting, installation, and safety.
This course provides installation training related to solar hot water systems. It includes a site visit to an installation in progress or already completed. Students closely observe the system components and participate if job site activities allow. The beginning of the course includes a safety briefing and system overview. Work activities vary according to the planning of the seminar.
This course is one of three that provides installation training for SNRG 1260 Solar Water Systems Design. It focuses on solar hot water collector siting, placement, and pressure testing and reviews roof, ground, and side-wall mounting with one selected for hands-on practice. Safety topics include roof practices, proper collector handling techniques, and waterproofing roof or wall penetrations.
This course is one of three that provides installation training for SNRG 1260 Solar Water Systems Design. It focuses on solar hot water loop piping, insulation, and tank placement. Safety topics include sweating techniques, roof practices, attic movement, wall penetrations, and insulation protection.
This course is one of three that provides installation training for SNRG 1260 Solar Water Systems Design. It focuses on solar storage loop piping, pressure testing, controller, and sensor placement. Safety topics include sweating techniques, roof practices, attic movement, wall penetrations, and insulation protection.
This course familiarizes students with an overview of the emerging world of electric vehicles with the object of preparing them for a career in a new transportation paradigm, one that is less dependent on petroleum and more dependent on electric power.
This course permits instruction in special content areas not included in other Sustainable Energy courses.