Our trainers have been there. They’ve crawled through damp basements and dusty attics, boiler rooms and skyscraper roofs. They share this intimate knowledge of how buildings work in the courses they teach, and consistently receive rave reviews from their students.
Our building science curriculum was one of the first in the US developed specifically to incorporate all aspects of becoming a whole house building performance contractor for existing housing stock, including diagnostic investigation, installation, remediation, as well as a full range of best practices.
We deliver courses for beginners as well as advanced certifications. Our roster includes BPI, RESNET and EPA trainings, software end-user classes, and advanced trainings that address the complexities of multifamily and commercial projects. To meet the diverse needs of this quickly growing industry, we offer courses delivered in classrooms, in the field, and through online webinars.
Featured Training
ENERGY STAR 3.0 Online Training
Location: Online
Date: Oct 22-25, 2013
Length: Four half days (8am-12pm)
Webinar: Residential Multifamily Design for ENERGY STAR 3.0
Location: Online
Date: June 11,2013
Time: 1:00-2:00pm
Training for Building Engineers
Our advanced classes are taught by our expert engineering staff and can be scheduled at your convenience. If you are interested in one of these classes, please contact us at commercialtraining@psdconsulting.com.
Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP) Training
This course will prepare you to become part of an elite group of Certified Measurement & Verification Professional engineers. As a CMVP, you will serve as a key catalyst for energy efficient retrofits by helping building owners and financiers manage risk and have confidence in the forecasted return on investment. In this course, you’ll learn how to develop and implement Performance Risk Management Plans, and address the six fundamental M&V priciples defined by the Efficiency Valuation Organization’s International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).
Note: To be eligible for the CMVP certification, you must complete and submit an application to AEE.
Basic Measurement & Verification Training
The purpose of measurement and verification (M&V) is to establish the potential of a project’s measures to save demand and energy and to determine the actual savings produced by those measures. Through presentation and discussion, this course exposes participants to the fundamental principles needed to produce quality M&V. The four IPMVP Options for reporting savings are presented, as well as real-world examples of each. Course For each option, participants will gain an understanding and appreciation for the principals of good M&V – Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Relevant and Transparent. This course does NOT lead to Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP) certification.
Certified Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA) Training
This three day instructional program is designed to provide the specific training and background needed by professionals preparing to sit for the Association of Energy Engineers’ (AEE) Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA) certification examination. Attendees will gain a clear, in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of computerized building energy modeling, and will conduct hands-on energy simulation exercises using eQUEST® software.PSD is one of only two organizations approved by AEE to offer this training for individuals with expertise in using modeling software.The BESA exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar — only to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitted a completed BESA application and fee.
Benchmarking
This course is designed to help participants better understand how commercial sector performance benchmarking tools such as EPA’s Portfolio Manager (and optionally other tools including PSD’s Building Performance Compass) function and can be used. The course begins by covering sector-wide historical energy performance indicators for key commercial building segments. Next, participants will learn how Portfolio Manager rating models are developed and extensively used. Important Portfolio Manager concepts such as data sharing and access privileges are discussed in detail. Participants are led through hands-on examples of Portfolio Manager Ratings using data from regional buildings to reinforce the concepts covered. Finally, advanced benchmarking concepts for non-energy performance such as water, indoor environmental quality, acoustics and thermal comfort are discussed.
Commercial Assessments
An energy analyst armed with both a strong understanding of the fundamental principles behind energy usage and an understanding of how to systematically perform field assessments of lighting, HVAC and motors can quickly begin adding value to their firm’s business. Uniquely designed and adapted to local building types, this course combines morning classroom presentations with afternoon ‘hands-on’ field assessments of real-world energy conservation scenarios. Throughout this course (up to a week in overall duration) students will actively engage in developing credible and defendable energy savings estimates, and learn to present them in easy to understand formats.
Basic Modeling and Simulation Training
It is generally accepted that using whole building energy modeling tools represents the best-in-class approach for estimating energy savings associated with deep retrofits. This course, designed for practitioners with little energy modeling experience, covers the fundamentals of general energy modeling tools. A software agonistic course, students completing this course will develop a sense for how/when/why and where energy simulation could best be used as a problem-solving tool. The course includes demonstrations of several different simulation/modeling tools and discusses in depth the pros and cons of non-simulation modeling methods such as custom spreadsheets, measure specific spreadsheets and calculators.
Advanced Modeling/Simulation Training (eQuest)
Designed around the eQUEST energy simulation tool, this course lead practitioners through eQUEST examples of advanced modeling topics such as modeling complex control strategies, developing custom performance curves to represent existing mechanical equipment, modeling complex utility tariff structures, and configuring the energy model as a reporting device to assist in M&V (measurement and verification) activities. This course requires prior modeling experience using eQUEST. Interested?
Download our commercial and multifamily training brochure. Commercial Training Brochure
Training for TREAT
All TREAT Trainings – Calendar View
TREAT QuickStart: Webinar (including a brief TREAT 3.3 New Features Overview)
These webinars are designed to be an orientation for new TREAT users – to get questions answered, and get started using TREAT building modeling software right away. For existing users, be sure to tune into the first 15 minutes of the QuickStart webinars to learn about all of the new features in the 3.3 release.
Sign up for the first QuickStart webinar of 2013 which will be held on May 3rd @ 9:00am!
Length: 1 hour
Cost: Free to attend – TREAT registration is required.
Introduction to TREAT Multifamily: Webinar
This two-hour webinar will introduce participants to all TREAT multifamily screens and modeling concepts.
TREAT Multifamily High Rise Modeling: Webinar
This two-hour webinar will cover high rise modeling using TREAT multifamily software. 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.).
TREAT Multifamily Low Rise Modeling: Webinar
This two-hour webinar will cover low rise modeling using TREAT multifamily software. 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.).
Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling: Webinar
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
TREAT Single-Family: Webinar
This course introduces the functionality of TREAT building modeling software, and will teach techniques to speed the modeling process for even experienced TREAT single family modelers. The instructor will review core concepts of the software and create a sample building energy model as part of the class. Upon completion, students should have the ability to use TREAT for one to four family energy audits.
TREAT Single-Family Classroom Training
This is a two-day course that introduces new users to the functionality of the TREAT building modeling software, and will teach techniques to speed the modeling process for even experienced TREAT single family modelers. The instructor will review core concepts of the software and students will create their own model as a class exercise. Upon completion, students will have the ability to use TREAT for one to four family energy audits. This includes modeling, health and safety tracking, basic utility bill true-up, the creation of improvements, packaging improvements and creating reports. Students must bring a laptop that has TREAT software already installed and registered.
Day two delves into advanced features of TREAT (including billing analysis). Students should have completed at least one single-family model prior to day two of the training, and are invited to bring actual TREAT models to the class for discussion. Upon completion, users will understand the full capabilities of TREAT and how to effectively incorporate them into a working business model. Students must bring a laptop that has TREAT software already installed and registered.
TREAT Multifamily Training
A three-day classroom training on the multifamily version of the TREAT modeling software.
The following topics will be covered in this three-day event:
- 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
Training for Raters and Providers
All Raters & Providers Trainings – Calendar View
Rater Webinar Series
This is a class in our monthly educational webinar series for raters. These webinars will generally take place on the third Tuesday of each month and consist of one and a half hours of presentation and 30 minutes of question and answer on topics relevant to HERS Raters. The webinars will be presented by Emelie Cuppernell and Ethan MacCormick.
Cost per class:
- Free for PSD Rater Members
- $29/class for non-members
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Passive House + Rater Overview Webinar Series607-277-6240 ext 27712:00 PM
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Conditioned Floor Area Webinar Series607-277-6240 ext 27712:00 PM
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Sketch up for Ratings Webinar Series607-277-6240 ext 27712:00 PM
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ASHRAE 62.2 – 2010 Webinar Series607-277-6240 ext 27712:00 PM
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The REALTOR Community Webinar Series607-277-6240 ext 27712:00 PM
Energy Star 3.0 Online Training
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 4 BPI continuing education credits.
Building Analyst Training for Raters (BPI Certification)
This course will teach students how to conduct diagnostic energy audits on existing housing stock and will focus on measurement and verification procedures related to building analysis. This training is a combination of classroom presentations, field exercises, and self-study materials. Theory and practice are integrated with an emphasis on practical problem-solving – culminating in Building Analyst certification through the Building Performance Institute
HERS Energy Rater Training (RESNET certification)
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. Six days of training and testing, including both classroom and field work forms a comprehensive training experience that is accredited through the Residential Energy Services Network.
Training for Energy Contractors
All Energy Contractors Trainings – Calendar View
ENERGY STAR HVAC Contractor Training
To be eligible to install HVAC equipment in ENERGY STAR certified homes, HVAC contractors are now required to be credentialed through an EPA-recognized independent, third party organization.
Please join us for orientation and technical training where we will provide you with the proper level of training on the ENERGY STAR program, the QAP program, and the technical aspects of HVAC needed to perform quality design, install, and start-up functions on ENERGY STAR Certified New Homes program jobs. The course is designed to increase your compliance with ENERGY STAR V3 through a robust QC/QA process. This course was created to instruct you on what ENERGY STAR V3 is requiring, how to fill out the HVAC System QI Checklist and how to participate in the QAP program.
Building Analyst Training (BPI Certification)
The key to energy-efficient building performance is in understanding the integrated systems in a building that are responsible for the transfer and use of energy, for moisture transport, and air movement. This training is intended for anyone who would like to conduct diagnostic energy audits on existing housing stock, including measurement and verification services related to building analysis. This course is a carefully crafted balance of classroom presentations, field exercises, and self-study materials. Theory and practice are integrated with an emphasis on practical problem-solving – culminating in Building Analyst (BA1) certification through the Building Performance Institute.
Multi-Family Building Analyst Training (BPI Certification)
The key to energy-efficiency in a multi-family building is understanding the integrated system components, and the physics that drive them. This training is geared towards preparing you for the Multi-Family Building Analyst (MFBA) certification exam – with the ultimate goal of optimizing building performance for energy efficiency. The topics will focus the participants on conducting diagnostic energy assessments for multi-family buildings with more than 4 units. This course is a carefully crafted series of classroom presentations, with an emphasis on practical problem-solving. Course registration includes all fees to the Building Performance Institute. Field mentoring is an additional cost and will be scheduled separately.
Indoor airPLUS Online Training
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. This 8 hour online training is conveniently split into 2 4-hour sessions. 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.
EnergySmart Contractor Online Training
Our EnergySmart Contractor training is designed to help contractors and builders acquire the knowledge and training to complete energy efficient retrofits and building projects in a safe and efficient manner. This 8-hour course is preparation for The RESNET EnergySmart Contractor exam administered on the second day of training for the EnergySmart Contractor designation. Why get EnergySmart Contractor certified? See here: http://www.resnet.us/professional/energysmart-contractor/why-get-energysmart-designation