Training Calendar

This 30 minute webinar will introduce you to the applications and plugins that make up the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem and teach you ways to leverage these applications to develop complex energy models and effective modeling workflows, apply crowd-sourced model components and improvements, and analyze models to identify design and improvement opportunities.

Key topics that will be covered:

SketchUp Plugin:

• Rapidly generate building forms and fabrics and assign bulk properties with Google SketchUp editing tools.

OpenStudio (OS) Application

• Edit and modify OpenStudio objects
• Analyze effectiveness of daylight harvesting strategies
• Create and edit HVAC systems and controls
• Browse, plot, and compare EnergyPlus output data in a graphical format

Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) Application

• Apply credentialed energy conservation measures to models
• Rapidly perform simulation studies using the AmazonEC2 cloud
• Leverage crowd-sourced content from NREL’s Building Component Library

EPA created the Indoor airPLUS certification to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality. Additional construction specifications are designed to help improve indoor air quality in new homes. This training gives raters the skills they need to understand and complete Indoor airPLUS ratings. The Indoor airPLUS Program is a partnership between EPA, builders, raters and other allies to improve indoor air quality in new homes. Homes with the Indoor airPLUS label include more than 30 additional home design and construction features to help protect homeowners from a host of health problems associated with poor indoor air quality, including eye irritation, allergies, headaches and respiratory problems such as asthma. All Indoor airPLUS qualified homes also meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by ENERGY STAR®, the nationally recognized symbol for energy efficiency and can be used in lieu of the Water Management Builder Checklist for ENERGY STAR 3.0.

The training will be conducted by Ethan MacCormick and Emelie Cuppernell, Performance Systems Development.

Register

Why Take The Course:

• Home buyers are increasingly seeking energy efficient homes and recognize the ENERGY STAR label.
• Differentiate your business by demonstrating your commitment to quality, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and the environment.
• Builders of ENERGY STAR homes experience less risk of post sale issues; higher customer satisfaction; and meaningful competitive differentiation.

Course Description:

This 16 hour training will be split up into 4 convenient half day online sessions. Each session will be held from 9:00 am to 1:00pm Eastern. If this schedule does not work with your schedule, please contact us for other possible options.

This training will cover the new requirements of ENERGY STAR for New Homes version 3 program. The training will include an ENERGY STAR v3 Overview, Thermal Enclosure Rater Checklist, HVAC Quality Installation Rater Checklist, Water Management Builder Checklist, and question answer sessions. At the conclusion of the training each participant will take an online test to qualify for the completion certificate.

This training is approved for 18 hours of RESNET Professional Development Credits and 9 BPI continuing education credits.

Materials: All attendees will receive a downloadable manual for:

• Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist
• Water Management System Builder Checklist (or Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist)

*Raters may optionally purchase a hard copy of the manual for an additional $100, however all material is available in electronic form included with the cost of training.

Trainers: Ethan MacCormick and Emelie Cuppernell (Meet the Trainers)

Upon completion of the course you will receive 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

This two-hour webinar will cover advanced TREAT modeling using the multifamily version. To attend this webinar, participants must be well versed in the use of multifamily TREAT (e.g. prior attendance to an in-person training, webinar, etc.). The following topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

This is a BPI approved course. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to two continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Course Description

PSD’s 3-day TREAT training will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods.  Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The 3-day course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs.

TREAT Multifamily Mentoring:

This optional add-on to the TREAT classroom training will give attendees the opportunity apply what was learned in the classroom to model an actual multifamily property in the field.  The PSD instructor will walk attendees through the audit process and refresh students on the best practices for modeling multifamily properties.  The TREAT mentoring will take place over the course of 1 day and attendees will walk away from the mentoring experience with a comprehensive TREAT model of a multifamily property that will serve as a helpful reference for future multifamily modeling projects.

* You can sign up for TREAT mentoring during registration for the 3-day TREAT classroom training

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 10.5 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Course Description

Small commercial building re-tuning training is a systematic process that is used to identify operational problems in buildings without a Building Automation System (“BAS”). Unlike building management is large commercial properties which is primarily data-driven, small commercial building re-tuning is prescriptive and does not rely on trend data collected from the building. Typically, small commercial buildings have packaged units for heating and cooling with simple air distribution, and are controlled by a zone thermostat. The process relies on the aspects of “how to” maintain and sustain building systems, identify problems and areas for improvement, and make a building and its individual systems more energy efficient.

This 2-day course is based on the publicly available curriculum developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will teach you techniques and strategies that can be utilized to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Who’s the course for?

This training is for O&M staff (property management companies) and offsite contractors (retro-commissioning agents or controls vendors) hired to maintain and/or improve the performance of the building systems, as well as energy engineers and auditors.

Course Description

All Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31^st 2014 to maintain their Rater Certification! Raters who are not BPI analyst certified will need an additional 2 hours of field training by the end of 2014 to comply with RESNET standards. This 7 hour online training is conveniently spaced over just 1 week.

All existing Raters must pass both the written and simulation CAZ exams by January 1, 2015, to maintain their Rater certification.

This RESNET Combustion Safety and Workscope Training fulfill this requirement.

Register

Course Objectives

Targeting Health and Safety

• Ambient Carbon Monoxide per RESNET standards
• Measurement and protocols
• Carbon Monoxide in unvented combustion appliances (ovens and ranges)
• Combustible gas leakage testing

Heating and Cooling Systems

Vented Combustion Appliance Safety Testing

• Interaction of combustion appliances and makeup air
• Controlled and uncontrolled makeup air
• Venting configurations and interaction with the building envelope
• Depressurization, flame rollout, and backdraft
• Configuring the home for Worst Case Depressurization testing
• Measuring and documenting spillage
• Carbon Monoxide in the venting flue
  • Variations in venting configuration and testing locations (venting & fuel types)
• Predicting and adjusting for combustion safety problems
  • Correcting depressurization problems per RESNET protocols
  • Workscope recommendations based on CO and spillage testing results
• Introduction to the RESCAZ training simulator
• Differences between the BPI and RESNET testing protocols

Schedule

Week 1

Monday May 12^th – Kick off and software orientation (online)

Week 2

Tuesday May 20^th – RESNET CAZ Training 9-11am (online)

Tuesday May 21^th – RESNET CAZ Training 9-11am (online)

Tuesday May 22^th – RESNET CAZ Training 9-11am (online)

Friday May 23rd – Testing in Ithaca office or any 3^rd party neutral location selected by trainee and approved by trainer

Register

Course Description

Small commercial building re-tuning training is a systematic process that is used to identify operational problems in buildings without a Building Automation System (“BAS”). Unlike building management is large commercial properties which is primarily data-driven, small commercial building re-tuning is prescriptive and does not rely on trend data collected from the building. Typically, small commercial buildings have packaged units for heating and cooling with simple air distribution, and are controlled by a zone thermostat. The process relies on the aspects of “how to” maintain and sustain building systems, identify problems and areas for improvement, and make a building and its individual systems more energy efficient.

This 2-day course is based on the publicly available curriculum developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will teach you techniques and strategies that can be utilized to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Who’s the course for?

This training is for O&M staff (property management companies) and offsite contractors (retro-commissioning agents or controls vendors) hired to maintain and/or improve the performance of the building systems, as well as energy engineers and auditors.

Register

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

Thursday, June 19, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Small commercial buildings often lack the sophisticated energy management and control systems found in large buildings, making them difficult to commission, operate and maintain.  Lack of proper operation and maintenance leads to inefficiencies, reduced lifetime of equipment, and, ultimately, higher energy costs.  

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Small Building Retuning training, and how it can benefit you and your business.  Learn how the training will teach you techniques and strategies to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.  Meet our trainers, who will be on hand to share their experiences and answer your questions.

Register

Friday, June 20, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Interest in M&V related skills as they apply to the built environment continue to grow, by building owners, practitioners, financiers and other stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. Our Fundamentals of Measurement & Verification training provides an understanding of procedures and workflows for developing and executing M&V plans.

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Fundamentals of M&V training, and how it can benefit you and your business.

Register

All Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31st 2014 to maintain their Rater Certification!  Learn more about this requirement, and talk with our trainers, who will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Only 2 hours each day, so it’s easy to fit in your schedule!

Date: July 8^th – 10^th

Time: 9am-11am each day (online – 6 hours, online, 2hrs/day)

This six-hour training will help you get the most from TREAT, our award-winning energy modeling software.  Even experienced TREAT users will pick up some tips from this course!  In this training, you will:

• Learn the TREAT essentials you’ll need to become more productive.
• Learn techniques to streamline the modeling process and complete more models in less time.
• Create a sample building energy model during the class.
• Receive homework assignments
• Receive Test/Quiz at the end

Creating a model of energy usage can be complex!  This training covers the TREAT features, including the Project Wizard, that will help you create TREAT models quickly and efficiently.

Accreditation: 6 BPI CEUs

Register

Date: July 9th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are recommended for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Time: Two 3 hour sessions and one 2-hour session delivered  in 1 week; 12:30pm to 3:30pm Eastern Standard Time Tuesday and Wednesday, 12:30 to 2:30 pm Thursday

Dates: July 15,16, 17 2014

Course Description

Small commercial building re-tuning training is a systematic process that is used to identify operational problems in buildings without a Building Automation System (“BAS”). Unlike building management is large commercial properties which is primarily data-driven, small commercial building re-tuning is prescriptive and does not rely on trend data collected from the building. Typically, small commercial buildings have packaged units for heating and cooling with simple air distribution, and are controlled by a zone thermostat. The process relies on the aspects of “how to” maintain and sustain building systems, identify problems and areas for improvement, and make a building and its individual systems more energy efficient.

This course is based on the publicly available curriculum developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will teach you techniques and strategies that can be utilized to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.

Who’s the course for?

This training is for O&M staff (property management companies) and offsite contractors (retro-commissioning agents or controls vendors) hired to maintain and/or improve the performance of the building systems, as well as energy engineers and auditors.

Register

Join PSD on July 16th, 2014 from 1:00-2:00pm EDT for a FREE LIVE demonstration and introduction to OpenStudio.

PSD is offering this webinar to raise awareness of the suite of tools available with OpenStudio. The webinar will be led by PSD’s Vice President of Research and Development, Chris Balbach.

Features that will be covered:

How OpenStudio can be used to support PON 1601 New Construction Program activities

1. Rapid creation and zoning of a building using the OpenStudio SketchUp plugin
2. Rapid assignment of components to the building using the Building Component Library, including ASHRAE 90.1-2007 performance standards
3. Using OpenStudio Measures to modify a building
   1. NREL BCL Measure Library – Public Domain
      • OpenStudio Measures (ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides)
      • EnergyPlus Measures
      • Reporting Period Measures
   2. Customized Measures
4. Using the Parametric Analysis Tool to design and execute simulation studies, incorporating energy cost savings and LCCA feedback
5. Viewing output (summary and detailed)
6. Generating Reports

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach
VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:
PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

This webinar gives an overview of our Large Building Retuning training, which will teach you how to identify operational problems by leveraging data collected from the building automation system (BAS) and correct those problems at no cost or low-cost.

Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Raters are distinctly qualified to conduct HERS ratings and  provide verification for ENERGY STAR, LEED, and Energy Efficient New Home tax credits.  learn how you can expand your business into this growing and lucrative field of home performance.

This webinar will give a brief overview of our HERS Rater training.  The training and testing, including classroom and field work, forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.

Become a rater member of the PSD HERS Rater Provider.

Date & Times

• Optional – July 28, noon to 12:30pm (kickoff)
• Aug. – 5-7, 9am to 11am (training)
• Aug. 8 – 9am to noon (CAZ testing)

Accreditation: 7 PDCs

Course Description

All Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31^st 2014 to maintain their Rater Certification! Raters who are not BPI analyst certified will need an additional 2 hours of field training by the end of 2014 to comply with RESNET standards. This 7 hour online training is conveniently spaced over just 1 week.

All existing Raters must pass both the written and simulation CAZ exams by January 1, 2015, to maintain their Rater certification.

This RESNET Combustion Safety and Workscope Training fulfill this requirement.

Register

Course Objectives

Targeting Health and Safety

• Ambient Carbon Monoxide per RESNET standards
• Measurement and protocols
• Carbon Monoxide in unvented combustion appliances (ovens and ranges)
• Combustible gas leakage testing

Heating and Cooling Systems

Vented Combustion Appliance Safety Testing

• Interaction of combustion appliances and makeup air
• Controlled and uncontrolled makeup air
• Venting configurations and interaction with the building envelope
• Depressurization, flame rollout, and backdraft
• Configuring the home for Worst Case Depressurization testing
• Measuring and documenting spillage
• Carbon Monoxide in the venting flue
  • Variations in venting configuration and testing locations (venting & fuel types)
• Predicting and adjusting for combustion safety problems
  • Correcting depressurization problems per RESNET protocols
  • Workscope recommendations based on CO and spillage testing results
• Introduction to the RESCAZ training simulator
• Differences between the BPI and RESNET testing protocols

Register

Date: August 6th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date & Time: August 7th 1-5pm
Location: Ithaca, NY
Trainer: Ethan MacCormick

Course description:

This training pairs nicely with our online training and offers  hands-on experience with Combustion Appliance Zone test equipment and house configuration. Student will participate in identifying the CAZ, setting up equipment, and configure the home for the worst case depressurization test.

Learn how fans, ductwork, and door configuration can all impact the test and how this can be measured. We will test for gas leakage, CO, and spillage per the RESNET protocol.

While the course pairs with our online training, Raters are not required to have taken, or to take, the online training to enroll for this field training. They can enroll for the field training regardless of whether or not they enroll for online training through PSD or any other Provider.

Accreditation: 4 RESNET PDCs upon completion.

Register

Dates: August 12-15th
Times: 9am-1pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Home buyers are increasingly seeking energy efficient homes and recognize the ENERGY STAR label.  Learn how you can differentiate your business by demonstrating your commitment to quality, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and the environment.

This webinar will give a brief overview of the ENERGY STAR for New Homes version 3 program.  Our trainers will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Thursday, August 28, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Small commercial buildings often lack the sophisticated energy management and control systems found in large buildings, making them difficult to commission, operate and maintain.  Lack of proper operation and maintenance leads to inefficiencies, reduced lifetime of equipment, and, ultimately, higher energy costs.  

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Small Building Retuning training, and how it can benefit you and your business.  Learn how the training will teach you techniques and strategies to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.  Meet our trainers, who will be on hand to share their experiences and answer your questions.

Register

Raters are distinctly qualified to conduct HERS ratings and  provide verification for ENERGY STAR, LEED, and Energy Efficient New Home tax credits.  learn how you can expand your business into this growing and lucrative field of home performance.

This webinar will give a brief overview of our HERS Rater training.  The training and testing, including classroom and field work, forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.

Become a rater member of the PSD HERS Rater Provider.

Register

Course Description

Course Agenda

Register

TREAT is our award-winning energy audit software for comprehensive energy analysis and building modeling.
A winner of the prestigious R&D 100 award, TREAT is the only energy audit software approved by the DOE for all residential housing types – including multifamily. TREAT is market tested, with thousands of users enjoying accurate results for over a decade of supporting whole house energy audits.

Learn how training can help you to get the most from TREAT.  Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Course Description

This 2-day hands-on course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Puchase Training

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Course Agenda

Day 1

Use the OS SketchUp Plugin to:

• Load templates for providing default values
• Import idf or gbxml files generated by other tools
• Use Sketchup tools to create building spaces (form and fabric)
• Rapidly assign space load definitions
• Rapidly assign properties using construction and schedule sets at different hierarchies
• Configure spaces for daylight controls
• Create external shading objects/surfaces
• Collect/configure spaces into Thermal Zones and assign thermostats

Use the OpenStudio Application to:

• Use BCL to retrieve Configure Zonal Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Service Water systems and controls
• Add BCL measures to extend baseline model
• Incorporate utility bills for model/billing comparison
• Addition of measures to provide calibration roadmap

Day 2

Use Results Viewer to:

• Graphically examine detailed mode output
• Export detailed model output for further post-processing

Use Parametric Analysis Tool to:

• Select and configure OS measures from the NREL BCL
• Define simulation study by configuring Design Alternatives
• Use the Amazon EC2 resource to execute the simulation study
• Examine detailed model output

Special Topics

• How to create a “measure” for use in OpenStudio
• OpenStudio Measure
• EnergyPlus Measure
• Reporting Measure
• How to share measures to the BCL
• How to manage large simulation studies

Register

Date & Time: September 16th  8am -12pm
Location: West Chester, PA (one hour from Philadelphia)
Trainer: Jim Phelps

Course description:

This training pairs nicely with our online training and offers  hands-on experience with Combustion Appliance Zone test equipment and house configuration. Student will participate in identifying the CAZ, setting up equipment, and configure the home for the worst case depressurization test.

Learn how fans, ductwork, and door configuration can all impact the test and how this can be measured. We will test for gas leakage, CO, and spillage per the RESNET protocol.

While the course pairs with our online training, Raters are not required to have taken, or to take, the online training to enroll for this field training. They can enroll for the field training regardless of whether or not they enroll for online training through PSD or any other Provider.

Accreditation: 4 RESNET PDCs upon completion.

Register

Date & Time: September 17th 8am – 12pm
Location: Pittsburg, PA
Trainer: Jim Phelps

Course description:

This training pairs nicely with our online training and offers  hands-on experience with Combustion Appliance Zone test equipment and house configuration. Student will participate in identifying the CAZ, setting up equipment, and configure the home for the worst case depressurization test.

Learn how fans, ductwork, and door configuration can all impact the test and how this can be measured. We will test for gas leakage, CO, and spillage per the RESNET protocol.

While the course pairs with our online training, Raters are not required to have taken, or to take, the online training to enroll for this field training. They can enroll for the field training regardless of whether or not they enroll for online training through PSD or any other Provider.

Accreditation: 4 RESNET PDCs upon completion.

Register

Home buyers are increasingly seeking energy efficient homes and recognize the ENERGY STAR label.  Learn how you can differentiate your business by demonstrating your commitment to quality, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and the environment.

This webinar will give a brief overview of the ENERGY STAR for New Homes version 3 program.  Our trainers will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Date: September 18th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

This webinar gives an overview of our Large Building Retuning training, which will teach you how to identify operational problems by leveraging data collected from the building automation system (BAS) and correct those problems at no cost or low-cost.

Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

Register

All Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31st 2014 to maintain their Rater Certification!  Learn more about this requirement, and talk with our trainers, who will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Date:

• Sept 29 to Oct 10 (online portion)
• Oct 27 – Oct 30 (field portion)

Time:

• 9am to 12pm (online portion)
• 9am to 5pm (field portion)

Location: Online + Classroom/field portion in Ithaca, NY

Why take this course?

• Expand your business into the growing field of home performance.
• Provide certified HERS ratings and  provide verification for ENERGY STAR, LEED, and Energy Efficient New Home tax credits.
• Work with home builders and architects to design and build energy efficient homes.
• Consult with homeowners on how to improve their home’s energy efficiency, comfort and safety.

Who should take this course?

• Contractors seeking to diversify into home performance. This includes HVAC; home builders; insulation/air sealing; remodeling; windows/doors; siding; plumbing; handyman; renewable energy installers; Indoor air quality; roofing; home automation.
• BPI Certified professionals seeking to become RESNET certified HERS Raters.
• Energy Auditors and Home Inspectors seeking the income potential by adding new services.
• Architectural firms seeing to establish an in-house HERS Rater.
• Weatherization (WAP) professional
• Anyone seeking an exciting building performance career or business.

Course description:

Ten 3-hour online sessions spread over 2 weeks + 4 classroom/field days. This training will familiarize participants with the process and science of conducting an energy rating, and prepare you to successfully pass the HERS certification test and perform ratings of newly built houses. The course will examine “the house as a system,” including energy and moisture transfer, the thermal envelope, air leakage problems and solutions, ventilation and indoor air quality, windows, as well as basic energy load calculations, and diagnostic testing using a blower door, infrared thermography, and a duct blaster. Following the class, students will apply for certification with an accredited Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provider. The online training, combined with classroom and field work, forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the purpose and benefits of home energy ratings, and communicate these to potential customers.
• Explain the basics of energy efficient mortgages, energy improvement mortgages, the Energy Star Homes program, and related products to potential customers.
• Perform infield inspections and diagnostics necessary to produce a home energy rating, including blower door leakage testing and duct leakage testing.
• Operate rating software and produce required reports.
• Produce accurate and unbiased home energy ratings, from building plans and from field inspections.
• Describe the follow-up process required for completion of the rating and loan process.
• List the goals, services and responsibilities of the national home energy rating system.

Become a rater member of the PSD HERS Rater Provider.

Upon completion of the course you will receive 22 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: October 8th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

This webinar does not include the full creation of a model, but rather focuses on troublesome aspects of energy modeling, and the specific issues of the attendees. A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are required for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI ceus.

These “Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling” topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Understanding details of multifamily domestic hot water systems.
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Understanding best practices for utility data uploads
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Why Take the Course:

• Home buyers are increasingly seeking energy efficient homes and recognize the ENERGY STAR label.
• Differentiate your business by demonstrating your commitment to quality, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and the environment.
• Builders of ENERGY STAR homes experience less risk of post sale issues; higher customer satisfaction; and meaningful competitive differentiation.

Course Description:

This 16 hour training will be split up into 4 convenient half day online sessions. Each session will be held from 9:00 am to 1:00pm Eastern. If this schedule does not work with your schedule, please contact us for other possible options.

This training will cover the new requirements of ENERGY STAR for New Homes version 3 program. The training will include an ENERGY STAR v3 Overview, Thermal Enclosure Rater Checklist, HVAC Quality Installation Rater Checklist, Water Management Builder Checklist, and question answer sessions. At the conclusion of the training each participant will take an online test to qualify for the completion certificate.

Materials: All attendees will receive a downloadable manual for:

• Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist
• Water Management System Builder Checklist (or Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist)

*Raters may optionally purchase a hard copy of the manual for an additional $100, however all material is available in electronic form included with the cost of training.

Trainers: Ethan MacCormick and Emelie Cuppernell (Meet the Trainers)

Upon completion of the course you will receive 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Date & Time: October 21st 8am – 12pm
Location: Long Island, NY
Trainer: Ethan MacCormick

Course description:

This training pairs nicely with our online training and offers  hands-on experience with Combustion Appliance Zone test equipment and house configuration. Student will participate in identifying the CAZ, setting up equipment, and configure the home for the worst case depressurization test.

Learn how fans, ductwork, and door configuration can all impact the test and how this can be measured. We will test for gas leakage, CO, and spillage per the RESNET protocol.

While the course pairs with our online training, Raters are not required to have taken, or to take, the online training to enroll for this field training. They can enroll for the field training regardless of whether or not they enroll for online training through PSD or any other Provider.

Accreditation: 4 RESNET PDCs upon completion.

Register

Dates: October 21-24th
Times: 1pm-5pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Thursday, October 30, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Interest in M&V related skills as they apply to the built environment continue to grow, by building owners, practitioners, financiers and other stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. Our Fundamentals of Measurement & Verification training provides an understanding of procedures and workflows for developing and executing M&V plans.

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Fundamentals of M&V training, and how it can benefit you and your business.

Register

Dates:

• Oct. 27 – noon to 1pm (training kickoff)
• Nov 4, 9am – 11am (training)
• Nov 5, 9am – 11am (training)
• Nov 6, 9am – 11am (training)
• Nov 7 (testing)

Course Description

With increased national demand for comprehensive retrofits, the RESNET Board of Directors has made it a requirement that RESNET certified Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work Scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31st, 2014, to maintain the Rater Certification. This 7-hour online training designed for Raters who are also BPI certified, is conveniently spaced over just 1 week and will prepare attendees to take and pass the tests.

All existing Raters must pass both the written and simulation CAZ exams by January 1, 2015, to maintain their Rater certification.

This RESNET Combustion Safety and Workscope Training fulfill this requirement.

*Raters who are not BPI analyst certified will need an additional 2 hours of field training by the end of 2014 to comply with RESNET standards.*

Course Objectives

Targeting Health and Safety

• Ambient Carbon Monoxide per RESNET standards
• Measurement and protocols
• Carbon Monoxide in unvented combustion appliances (ovens and ranges)
• Combustible gas leakage testing

Heating and Cooling Systems

Vented Combustion Appliance Safety Testing

• Interaction of combustion appliances and makeup air
• Controlled and uncontrolled makeup air
• Venting configurations and interaction with the building envelope
• Depressurization, flame rollout, and backdraft
• Configuring the home for Worst Case Depressurization testing
• Measuring and documenting spillage
• Carbon Monoxide in the venting flue
  • Variations in venting configuration and testing locations (venting & fuel types)
• Predicting and adjusting for combustion safety problems
  • Correcting depressurization problems per RESNET protocols
  • Workscope recommendations based on CO and spillage testing results
• Introduction to the RESCAZ training simulator
• Differences between the BPI and RESNET testing protocols

Register

Date: November 5-6

Time: 9am-5pm

Course Description

This 2-day hands-on course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Course Agenda

Day 1

Use the OS SketchUp Plugin to:

• Load templates for providing default values
• Import idf or gbxml files generated by other tools
• Use Sketchup tools to create building spaces (form and fabric)
• Rapidly assign space load definitions
• Rapidly assign properties using construction and schedule sets at different hierarchies
• Configure spaces for daylight controls
• Create external shading objects/surfaces
• Collect/configure spaces into Thermal Zones and assign thermostats

Use the OpenStudio Application to:

• Use BCL to retrieve Configure Zonal Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Service Water systems and controls
• Add BCL measures to extend baseline model
• Incorporate utility bills for model/billing comparison
• Addition of measures to provide calibration roadmap

Day 2

Use Results Viewer to:

• Graphically examine detailed mode output
• Export detailed model output for further post-processing

Use Parametric Analysis Tool to:

• Select and configure OS measures from the NREL BCL
• Define simulation study by configuring Design Alternatives
• Use the Amazon EC2 resource to execute the simulation study
• Examine detailed model output

Special Topics

• How to create a “measure” for use in OpenStudio
• OpenStudio Measure
• EnergyPlus Measure
• Reporting Measure
• How to share measures to the BCL
• How to manage large simulation studies

Register

Date & Time: November 12th 8am – 12pm
Location: Boston Area, MA
Trainer: Jim Phelps

Course description:

This training pairs nicely with our online training and offers  hands-on experience with Combustion Appliance Zone test equipment and house configuration. Student will participate in identifying the CAZ, setting up equipment, and configure the home for the worst case depressurization test.

Learn how fans, ductwork, and door configuration can all impact the test and how this can be measured. We will test for gas leakage, CO, and spillage per the RESNET protocol.

While the course pairs with our online training, Raters are not required to have taken, or to take, the online training to enroll for this field training. They can enroll for the field training regardless of whether or not they enroll for online training through PSD or any other Provider.

Accreditation: 4 RESNET PDCs upon completion.

Register

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

Dates:

• 24 Nov – noon to 1pm (training kickoff)
• Dec 3, 9am – 12pm (training)
• Dec 4, 9am – 12pm (training)
• Dec 5 (testing)

Course Description

With increased national demand for comprehensive retrofits, the RESNET Board of Directors has made it a requirement that RESNET certified Raters must pass the Combustion Safety and Work Scope written exam and simulation prior to December 31st, 2014, to maintain the Rater Certification. This 7-hour online training designed for Raters who are also BPI certified, is conveniently spaced over just 1 week and will prepare attendees to take and pass the tests.

All existing Raters must pass both the written and simulation CAZ exams by January 1, 2015, to maintain their Rater certification.

This RESNET Combustion Safety and Workscope Training fulfill this requirement.

*Raters who are not BPI analyst certified will need an additional 2 hours of field training by the end of 2014 to comply with RESNET standards.*

Course Objectives

Targeting Health and Safety

• Ambient Carbon Monoxide per RESNET standards
• Measurement and protocols
• Carbon Monoxide in unvented combustion appliances (ovens and ranges)
• Combustible gas leakage testing

Heating and Cooling Systems

Vented Combustion Appliance Safety Testing

• Interaction of combustion appliances and makeup air
• Controlled and uncontrolled makeup air
• Venting configurations and interaction with the building envelope
• Depressurization, flame rollout, and backdraft
• Configuring the home for Worst Case Depressurization testing
• Measuring and documenting spillage
• Carbon Monoxide in the venting flue
  • Variations in venting configuration and testing locations (venting & fuel types)
• Predicting and adjusting for combustion safety problems
  • Correcting depressurization problems per RESNET protocols
  • Workscope recommendations based on CO and spillage testing results
• Introduction to the RESCAZ training simulator
• Differences between the BPI and RESNET testing protocols

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Raters are distinctly qualified to conduct HERS ratings and provide verification for ENERGY STAR, LEED, and Energy Efficient New Home tax credits.

This webinar will give a brief overview of our HERS Rater training. The training and testing, which includes both classroom and field work, forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.

This webinar is free, and our trainers will be available to answer your questions. Please register in advance and we will send you a link.

Become a rater member of the PSD HERS Rater Provider.

Register

TREAT is our award-winning energy audit software for comprehensive energy analysis and building modeling.
A winner of the prestigious R&D 100 award, TREAT is the only energy audit software approved by the DOE for all residential housing types – including multifamily. TREAT is market tested, with thousands of users enjoying accurate results for over a decade of supporting whole house energy audits.

Learn how training can help you to get the most from TREAT.  Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

The webinar is free. Please register in advance and we will send you a link.

Register

Date: February 18th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are recommended for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Dates: February 23-26th
Times: 12:30pm-4:30pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date:

• March 2-6 and March 9-13 (online portion)
• March 24-27 (field portion)

Time:

• 9am to 12pm (online portion)
• 9am to 5pm (field portion)

Location: Online + field portion in a TBD location in Central New York

Why take this course?

• Expand your business into the growing field of home performance.
• Provide certified HERS ratings and  provide verification for ENERGY STAR and LEED.
• Work with home builders and architects to design and build energy efficient homes.
• Consult with homeowners on how to improve their home’s energy efficiency, comfort and safety.

Who should take this course?

• Contractors seeking to diversify into home performance. This includes HVAC; home builders; insulation/air sealing; remodeling; windows/doors; siding; plumbing; handyman; renewable energy installers; Indoor air quality; roofing; home automation.
• BPI Certified professionals seeking to become RESNET certified HERS Raters.
• Energy Auditors and Home Inspectors seeking the income potential by adding new services.
• Architectural firms seeing to establish an in-house HERS Rater.
• Weatherization (WAP) professional
• Anyone seeking an exciting building performance career or business.

Course description:

Ten 3-hour online sessions spread over 2 weeks + 4 classroom/field days. This training will familiarize participants with the process and science of conducting an energy rating, and prepare you to successfully pass the HERS certification test and perform ratings of newly built houses. The course will examine “the house as a system,” including energy and moisture transfer, the thermal envelope, air leakage problems and solutions, ventilation and indoor air quality, windows, as well as basic energy load calculations, and diagnostic testing using a blower door, infrared thermography, and a duct blaster. Following the class, students will apply for certification with an accredited Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provider. The online training, combined with classroom and field work, forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the purpose and benefits of home energy ratings, and communicate these to potential customers.
• Explain the basics of energy efficient mortgages, energy improvement mortgages, the Energy Star Homes program, and related products to potential customers.
• Perform infield inspections and diagnostics necessary to produce a home energy rating, including blower door leakage testing and duct leakage testing.
• Operate rating software and produce required reports.
• Produce accurate and unbiased home energy ratings, from building plans and from field inspections.
• Describe the follow-up process required for completion of the rating and loan process.
• List the goals, services and responsibilities of the national home energy rating system.

Become a rater member of the PSD HERS Rater Provider.

Upon completion of the course you will receive 22 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: March 18th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

This webinar does not include the full creation of a model, but rather focuses on troublesome aspects of energy modeling, and the specific issues of the attendees. A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are required for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI ceus.

These “Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling” topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Understanding details of multifamily domestic hot water systems.
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Understanding best practices for utility data uploads
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: April 8th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Home buyers are increasingly seeking energy efficient homes and recognize the ENERGY STAR label.  Learn how you can differentiate your business by demonstrating your commitment to quality, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and the environment.

This webinar will give a brief overview of the ENERGY STAR for New Homes version 3 program.  Our trainers will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Date and Times:

• April 20-23, 2015 (1-5pm)

Course Description

This 4-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Thursday, April 30, 2015 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Much of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted because of improper operations. Many buildings are not properly commissioned, operated, or maintained, which leads to inefficient operation and reduced lifetimes of equipment.

This course is based on the publicly available curriculum developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will teach you techniques and strategies that can be utilized to maintain building systems, make them more efficient, and target areas for improvement.

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA