Energy Auditing and Other “Green” Courses
We teach classes and a variety of workshops throughout Pennsylvania. We offer monthly Energy Audit classes at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).
In the fast-paced, evolving world of green technology, the professional energy auditor/building analyst uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of buildings. If you are a general contractor, renovation specialist, home builder or inspector, engineer, insulation installer, architect or a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) professional, or Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater, this course is designed to prepare you to take nationally recognized auditor written and field exams. An energy auditor /building analyst with national Certification gives homeowners assurance that they are contracting with a professional who meets national standards.
HACC’s Building Analyst course will teach you the basic principles of building science to assess energy efficiency in a home or commercial building while also monitoring conditions that have a direct impact on human health and safety. This class emphasizes the “house-as-a-system” approach to evaluating a home by looking at all systems as interconnected – from the HVAC equipment, to the envelope, foundation, walls, roof, doors and windows. You’ll learn how to use diagnostic equipment, such as the blower door and combustion analyzer, to ensure systems are functioning together to maximize building performance, comfort, energy efficiency, safety and durability.
You’ll also see typical energy-related building defects close up in a model home specifically designed for students in this course. You’ll use energy auditing tools and equipment to analyze the energy efficiency of this model home, and will learn methods to correct the defects.
HACC’s 40-hour Building Analyst course includes:
- Inspecting the site, building envelope and mechanical ventilation systems
- Measuring carbon dioxide, combustion efficiency, flue capacity, appliance ventilation and vent pressure
- Evaluating ductwork and airflow design, duct leakage, and air distribution system repair methods
- Blower door testing, duct testing, moisture detection
- Combustion appliance zones, thermal boundary analysis and indoor air quality (IAQ) analysis
- Proper insulation, window and lighting design and installation
- Air sealing of the building envelope and draft repair
- Conditioned and transition zone analysis
- Base building calculations and baseload appliance inspection
- Billing analysis and measures for improvement packages
- Creating reports, proposals, scope of work and cost estimates
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Waste Not Energy Advisors will offer three Building Analyst classes at HACC during the fall 2010 semester:
- September 27 – October 1, 2010; Monday – Friday; 8 am to 5 pm
- October 18 – October 22, 2010; Monday – Friday; 8 am to 5 pm
- November 15 – November 19, 2010; Monday – Friday; 8 am to 5 pm
This 40-hour class is designed for the person who has a basic understanding of heating and cooling systems and construction. Prior to the class, candidates should read Residential Energy Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings and the Saturn Energy Auditor Field Guide; both books may be purchased at HACC’s Overhold Bookstore. The course costs $1,300 and includes use of all diagnostic equipment during the class. BPI written and field testing is available for an additional fee.
Classes meet at HACC’s Midtown 2 building at 1500 N. Third St., Harrisburg. To register, call 717-780-2414 or 717-780-2416.
For more information on the class or available tuition assistance, contact Program Manager Cheryl Deitz at 717-221-1338 or chdeitz@hacc.edu; or Program Manager Bob Gill at 717-221-1339 or rcgill@hacc.edu.
