Efficiency First California

Commissioning Heat Pump Systems: Fundamentals and System Types - Spring
2024-05-10 09:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
his training series will focus on the design, commissioning and operational issues associated with heat pumps and heat pump systems with a focus on how this type of equipment can facilitate electrification of buildings and building systems. The content will be divided into five half-day sessions. Each session will stand alone, but the different training modules will also be interrelated. Ideally people interested in using heat pumps as part of building electrification projects will attend all five sessions.
This session will provide an overview of the heat pump concept and contrast it with electric resistance and natural gas heating. The refrigeration cycle will be touched upon with resources provided for more in-depth self-study for those who are interested. Common heat pump configurations, system types and applications will be discussed and illustrated.
Register HERE for the entire Commissioning Heat Pump Systems (5 Part Series).
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Fundamental heat pump concepts
How buildings use heat
Heat pumps, electrification, and the fundamental goals of HVAC
Heat pump system types

The objective of this training series is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Discuss some of opportunities associated with applying heat pumps as a source of heating and cooling for buildings as we move towards electrification
Describe how buildings use heat and how heat pumps can be used to meet this need along with the fundamental goals associated with building HVAC systems
Recognize the typical components of the vapor-compression (refrigeration) cycle
Identify the common heat pump system types and describe their general characteristics (ground source, air source, water source, variable flow refrigeration, etc.)

Balanced Ventilation for Better Health, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency: IAQ, OAQ, Ventilation and Filtration
2024-05-16 09:00 - 13:00
More and more buildings are being constructed with high-performance building envelopes. For these buildings, a well-designed and installed ventilation system is a must. Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance delves into why ventilation and filtration are so important. We will look at indoor and outdoor air quality and discuss the effectiveness of ventilation and filtration at managing various pollutants. In addition to the large body of evidence we already had supporting the need for ventilation and filtration in residential buildings, we will consider the current impacts of building electrification, the pandemic, and wildfires on our systems.
This four-hour class is designed to help participants identify and understand critical issues relating to healthy buildings. The class will help participants improve their ability to discuss these issues with customers and will also lay the groundwork for the other course in the Balanced Ventilation series about the design and installation of balanced ventilation and filtration systems.
Agenda:

Residential Indoor Air Quality in existing California homes
Residential ventilation systems in existing California homes
Residential Filtration systems in existing California homes
Building pressures and pollutant concentrations
Diagnostics: testing ventilation systems, building enclosure tightness and pollutant monitoring
Building loads and heat recovery
Evaluating filtration options: cost, energy consumption, system efficiency
Ideal work scopes — Identify critical details to include so that our systems work together providing comfort and air quality
Talking to customers – Identify the things that will help them make choose a healthier home.

The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Summarize air quality conditions in typical CA homes
Describe the several sources of pollutants effecting typical CA homes
Identify characteristics of an effective ventilation and filtration system
Discuss work scope details that are important for selling and installing an effective ventilation and filtration system
Communicate the talking points for educating their customers about effective air quality systems

Electrify Efficiently: Staging Home Electrification Projects
2024-06-04 12:00 - 13:30
Long-term planning is essential when it comes to most whole-home electrification journeys. By taking into consideration a customer’s long-term needs alongside their immediate needs, you can help customers avoid costly mistakes. In this webinar, participants will hear insights and recommendations on optimal order of operations of electrification installs. These insights come from Electrify My Home’s deep experience on hundreds of real-world electrification projects. Come prepared with questions about your electrification projects.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Electrify My Home: “good electrification” and “install small”
Planning ahead for electrification
Staging electrification projects
Q&A

The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Explain two reasons why planning a panel upgrade is so important
Describe the rationale behind why single trade contractors should advise beyond their specific product or installation
Explain why an inverter heat pump may be beneficial if future building enclosure upgrades are planned
Summarize importance of Electrify My Home’s approach to “good electrification” and “install small”

Electrify Efficiently: Home Heat Pumps Done Right - A Case Study
2024-06-18 12:00 - 13:30
The path to going all-electric can take many forms. For some, this means upgrading one appliance at a time; for others, it means replacing them all at once and offsetting with on-site solar. Regardless of the timeline, there are some important planning steps that must take place, as well as a continual vision for optimizing efficiency.
Join Electrify My Home in this session for a case study of a customer’s electrification journey. You’ll also hear directly from the customer, who will share why they went gas-free, why they chose to pursue efficiency measures, and what bumps in the road were faced on this adventure.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Overview of the Electrify My Home “Electrify Efficiently” webinar series
The electrification path/journey
Things every customer (and contractor) should consider along the way
Electrify My Home customer interview
Class survey, closing and wrap up

The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Describe the planning process every electrification candidate should pursue
Identify the pros and cons of pursuing all gas appliance upgrades at once
Name at least two reasons why Electrify My Home customer chose to focus on efficiency
Explain EMH’s reasoning behind their approach for this customer’s application

Introduction to Variable Capacity Heat Pumps, Improved Comfort and Energy Efficiency
2024-06-20 09:00 - 11:00
This content offers an introduction to variable capacity heat pumps (VCHP) for contractors who are not yet familiar with this type of HVAC equipment. It begins by defining the type and continues by describing the intended benefits of VCHPs compared to earlier models of heat pumps. Participants take away important knowledge as well as an understanding of where to take their learning next. They learn a simple classification strategy to use to help select the type of VCHP to use on their projects.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
What are Variable Capacity Heat Pumps (VCHPs)?
Benefits of VCHPs to Contractors and Customers
Types of VCHPs and Terminology”Sources” of the heat used by VCHPs
Easy classification strategy for VCHPs
Available indoor unit types VCHP applications to consider
Next steps to continue your learning

Next Generation Refrigerants: Taking a Closer Look at A2L Solutions
2024-07-02 09:00 - 11:00
A new generation of refrigerants are coming to comfort cooling applications, specifically in residential and light commercial systems. These new refrigerants, commonly identified by their low-global warming potential (low-GWP), often come with different characteristics than the prior generation of refrigerants (such as R-410a). This session will cover the reasons for the changes in refrigerants, characteristics of some of the next generation refrigerants, and the changes the industry faces as a result, including building codes, safety standards, application and installation, operation and maintenance differences, and changes to the tools used with these new refrigerants.

Introduction to Passive House Retrofits: The EnerPHit Standard
2024-07-09 09:00 - 11:30
Achieving the Passive House Standard in refurbishments of existing buildings is not always a realistic goal, and for such buildings, the Passive House Institute has developed the EnerPHit standard for certified energy retrofits with Passive House Components. In this webinar, trainers from the Passive House Network will discuss how the EnerPHit standard can accommodate the realities of existing old buildings, where foundations, party lines, historic preservation, cost, and other factors make a typical Passive House certification impossible. Learn how existing structures can benefit from retrofits to move a structure from a low to high-performance building. Applying the passive house standard to existing structures has its unique challenges. Through case studies of successful retrofits, see how to upgrade a building with respect to airtightness, insulation, thermal bridge reductions, high-performance windows, and ventilation, plus learn about the EnerPHit standards and process.

Title 24 Compliance Modeling & Decarbonization with IESVE Software
2024-07-16 09:00 - 16:00
Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) Ltd will provide a one-day software training course using IESVE software for Title 24 Compliance modeling of new nonresidential buildings, and will include modeling of various decarbonization strategies for above-code programs in all-electric jurisdictions. The agenda will include an introduction and overview, 3D model architecture, loads optimization, decarbonization analysis and simulation (see agenda for more details).
Trainees will be required to follow along with the software and will be provided with free IESVE software for these trainings, which will be setup on the trainee’s computers prior to the training. Hardware, software and license requirements are available HERE.
Each training course will be a limited to approximately 30-35 attendees and will be hosted by two IES trainers using CEC certified software IESVE for new Title 24-2022 nonresidential buildings. Participants will benefit if they have some background on California Title 24 Building Energy Standards. See California Energy Commission.

Air Sealing and Insulating Existing Homes: Interpreting and Prioritizing Infrared and Blower Door Results
2024-08-15 08:00 - 17:00
Testing your work is imperative to meet or exceed performance targets and to ensure a feedback loop is in place for continual process improvements. Instructor Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will highlight two key home performance diagnostic tools, the blower door and infrared camera. The two hour session unpacks important testing metrics and ways to address opportunities that have positive interactive effects on the home’s performance and occupant comfort.
Agenda:

Diagnostic testing for home performance
Blower door and infrared camera basics
Typical opportunities for thermal performance improvement
Safety Considerations

Air Sealing and Insulating Existing Homes: Addressing Common Hazards During Energy Upgrades
2024-08-22 09:00 - 11:00
Upgrading the thermal and air leakage performance of existing homes exposes a variety of hazards that many professionals either do not know how to address or how to communicate the importance of the issue to the customer. Estimators and installers, including DIY homeowners, take on additional liability when they fail to identify and remediate existing hazards during upgrade projects. In this two-hour class, instructor Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will cover the most common hazards that are regularly uncovered during energy upgrades and provide some practical strategies for resolving those issues.
To attend the entire Air Sealing and Insulating Homes 3 Part Series register HERE.
Agenda:

What hazards are exposed in typical efficiency upgrades.
What is the risk management plan for addressing these hazards?
Asbestos insulation
Electrical system faults
Combustion appliance vents and clearance to combustible materials
Combustion appliance vents that do not effectively remove pollutants from the building
Non-IC rated recessed fixtures
Vents that re-entrain gases or moisture in the building
Biological growth on building surfaces
Impact of realigning the air barrier or thermal boundary

Building Electrification: Lessons from the Field (Part 1 of 2)
2024-08-22 09:00 - 12:30, 2024-11-14 09:00 - 12:30
California is going through one of its most seismic shifts in building energy policy and design. The move towards full decarbonization of the building stock has started and the policy, technical and financial implications are being developed under our feet. We will share how heat pumps and other forms of electric heating can displace our long time carbon sources of heat. These systems are already available and many are cost effective today. Come discuss this shift and how it will impact your building or construction project with one of the industry’s leading experts.
This seminar will include details of how heat pump systems work and how to design residential and commercial buildings to take advantage of currently available heat pump systems. We will include case studies of heat pump systems and how they can fit into low energy buildings. We will also cover how to recognize opportunities for application of heat pump systems.
Instructor Bios:
Avril Levasseur
Avril is a Senior Associate at Point Energy Innovations, an MEP consulting firm specializing in highly cost-effective net-zero energy and sustainable buildings. She is a registered Professional Engineer who completed her graduate education at Stanford University. She strives to enable more efficient buildings through creative design and rigorous analysis. As the Program Manager for the Stanford Building Decarbonization Accelerator, she employs her passion for teaching to promote decarbonization education. She has collaborated in teaching several courses and is the co-author of multiple papers on the topic. In 2023, Avril was named the Association of Energy Engineers Young Energy Professional of the Year for the Western US.
Rami Moussa, P.E.
Rami Moussa, P.E. is a Managing Principal at Point Energy Innovations, an industry leading MEP consulting firm that specializes in the design of low cost high performance buildings for design-build project delivery. Rami is passionate about working with architects, building owners, contractors, facility engineers, and end users to create tailored solutions that are low energy, low carbon, and provide the best value. His pioneering work includes the design of the zero embodied and operational carbon AIA HQ renovation in Washington, D.C., and the fast-tracked developer-led zero operating carbon office headquarters of Exelixis in Alameda, CA. Decarbonization of the country’s real estate is Rami’s primary motivator. In 2022 he led decarbonization assessments for an existing real estate portfolio of over five million square feet across 30 buildings.
The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Identify heat pump components and system types
Recognize appropriate heat pump applications and constraints in both new construction and existing building projects
Acknowledge how heat pump applications in buildings are beneficial in the California regulatory context
Apply lessons learned from recently-completed decarbonized projects that leverage heat pumps and other forms of electric heating

Building Electrification: Lessons from the Field (Part 2 of 2)
2024-08-23 09:00 - 12:30, 2024-11-15 09:00 - 12:30

Air Sealing and Insulating Existing Homes: Developing a Work Scope for Attic Efficiency Upgrades
2024-08-29 09:00 - 11:00
Effective work scopes help contractors and customers achieve specific performance goals in a home’s attic efficiency upgrade. Developing a comprehensive, goal-oriented work scope can help contractors sell more jobs, differentiate their work from other contractors bidding on the job, and enables customers to prioritize their home upgrades within their budget, allowing for the possibility of future improvements. In this session, Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will draw upon his contractor experience to discuss how he approaches attic efficiency work scopes, from demolition, material selection and installation, to commissioning.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
How is high-performance a different business model
Setting your company standards
How to define cost-effective
Identify the outcomes the customer would like to achieve
Defining outcomes in the work scope
Developing costs for specific outcomes
Using options to define good, better, best
Using notes to clarify limits of what work accomplishes
Negotiating the outcomes in the work scope

The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Specify at least three or more performance outcomes the work scope helps define
Explain one or more ways that a high-performance work scope is different from an industry standard sale process
Synthesize the home performance outcomes the customer would like to achieve
Describe one or more examples of how to Itemize the work scope to facilitate a better understanding of cost segregation

Introduction to Passive House Trades
2024-09-10 09:00 - 11:30
The Introduction to Passive House Trades course will broadly cover the following topics: Passive House (PH) basics, review typical construction types, windows and installation, air barriers and insulation and new, innovative PH products. It is crucial when working on Passive House buildings to properly install components, understand how to correctly implement design details and assess and plan for the current and future performance of the building. It can also help prepare those interested in the Certified Passive House Tradesperson training.

Retrofitting Homes for Electrification and Decarbonization
2024-09-19 09:00 - 13:00
From alignment with California’s decarbonization goals and local ordinances prohibiting new gas installs, Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will outline the necessary steps to electrify an existing single-family home and how to manage whole house strategies for successful electrification retrofits. Case studies demonstrating successful electrification projects will highlight the opportunities to overcome challenges presented by existing infrastructure and planning for backup power during PSPS events.

Electric Heat Pumps for Space Heating and Cooling
2024-09-26 09:00 - 13:00
As our electricity supply becomes cleaner, due to an increased use of renewables for generation and a growing number of local ordinances prohibiting gas installs in new homes, electricity becomes an attractive fuel source to designers and builders interested in reducing residential greenhouse gas emissions and creating zero carbon homes.
Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will present on efficiency gains, and overcoming common installation pitfalls from electric heat pump water heaters in new and existing buildings. Class discussion will cover the advantages and limitations of these systems, the available technology and refrigerant types, as well as features like load flexing.

Electric Heat Pumps for Water Heating
2024-10-02 09:00 - 12:00

Mechanical Rooms: Strategies for Electrification Retrofits in Homes
2024-10-03 09:00 - 12:00
For as long as we’ve built homes, we’ve been using some kind combustion appliance system to heat them. As a result, our buildings are designed and constructed to safely manage the operation of gas appliances. In this webinar, Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will look at mechanical rooms as we transition from gas appliances to electric appliances. There is an opportunity for contractors and designers to offer their clients additional efficiencies beyond those offered by the change to electric appliances. We will identify easily overlooked building enclosure and mechanical changes that can be incorporated into an electrification retrofit project. This three-hour webinar is based on completed projects and will have images of floor plans that illustrate the complexities of combustion appliance mechanical spaces and the opportunities available when they are electrified.

Optimizing Residential Forced-Air HVAC Systems: Efficiency, Comfort and Low Loss Duct Systems
2024-10-17 09:00 - 12:00
Improved design, installation and commissioning practices lead to a dramatic improvement in building energy consumption, indoor air quality, and comfort. There are six performance factors that can be applied to HVAC design, installation and/or commissioning. In the Optimizing Residential Forced-Air series, we will review how each factor can be specified at design, implemented during installation, and tested/adjusted during commissioning. We will also look at how we can redesign our approach to high performance HVAC systems to support CA climate goals, help manage the peak electrical load on the grid as well as the owners operating cost under the time-of-use billing structure.
The Optimizing Residential Forced-Air series is informed through commissioned systems, where real examples from completed projects are used to support class content. We have designed, built, and commissioned both retrofit and new construction projects that exemplify the concepts covered in class. Course content will include design examples, photos installations, and test results from commissioning.
The HVAC equipment, materials and knowledge required to dramatically improve the performance of HVAC systems is readily available. This class will assist the designer, installer, and rater in their efforts to improve the HVAC systems we build.

Residential Electrification and Decarbonization with the Passive House Standard
2024-10-29 09:00 - 11:30
The Passive House Standard encourages all-electric building design and construction in homes and buildings, which can help achieve the widescale decarbonization required for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Passive House Network will demonstrate how Passive House principles align with the California’s decarbonization goals. This session will cover the technology options for all-electric homes and outline the many reasons to electrify with the Passive House Standard for better health, comfort, and cost benefits.

Heat Pump Water Heater: Installation, Decision Guidance, and Load Shifting
2024-10-30 09:00 - 12:00
Presented by Nick Brown and Gary Klein, this webinar will look at the best practices for installing a heat pump water in residential homes. This course will help plumbers, builders, architects, homeowners, and home energy consultants understand what is different about heat pump water heaters from the water heaters they are more familiar with, so that installations get done correctly. We’ll provide a quick recap of heat pump water heater basics and then explore the retrofit process, beginning from site preparation and installation considerations at the home, to operation and grid flexibility that heat pump water heaters can provide.

Commissioning Heat Pump Systems: Fundamentals and System Types
2024-10-30 09:30 - 13:30
Part 1 of 5 – October 30, 2024 (9:30am – 1:30pm)
This training series will focus on the design, commissioning and operational issues associated with heat pumps and heat pump systems with a focus on how this type of equipment can facilitate electrification of buildings and building systems. The content will be divided into five half-day sessions. Each session will stand alone, but the different training modules will also be interrelated. Ideally people interested in using heat pumps as part of building electrification projects will attend all five sessions.
This session will provide an overview of the heat pump concept and contrast it with electric resistance and natural gas heating. The refrigeration cycle will be touched upon with resources provided for more in-depth self-study for those who are interested. Common heat pump configurations, system types and applications will be discussed and illustrated.
Register HERE for the entire Commissioning Heat Pump Systems (5 Part Series).
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
How buildings use heat
Heat pumps, electrification, and the fundamental goals of HVAC
Fundamental heat pump concepts
Heat pump system types

The objective of this training series is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

Discuss some of opportunities associated with applying heat pumps as a source of heating and cooling for buildings as we move towards electrification
Describe how buildings use heat and how heat pumps can be used to meet this need along with the fundamental goals associated with building HVAC systems
Recognize the typical components of the vapor-compression (refrigeration) cycle
Identify the common heat pump system types and describe their general characteristics (ground source, air source, water source, variable flow refrigeration, etc.)

Optimizing Residential Forced-Air HVAC Systems: Load Calculations, Equipment Selection, System Airflow and Layout
2024-10-31 09:00 - 12:00
Improved design, installation and commissioning practices lead to a dramatic improvement in building energy consumption, indoor air quality, and comfort. There are six performance factors that can be applied to HVAC design, installation and/or commissioning. In the Optimizing Residential Forced-Air series, we will review how each factor can be specified at design, implemented during installation, and tested/adjusted during commissioning. We will also look at how we can redesign our approach to high performance HVAC systems to support California climate goals, help manage the peak electrical load on the grid as well as the owners operating cost under the time-of-use billing structure.
The Optimizing Residential Forced-Air series is informed through commissioned systems, where real examples from completed projects are used to support class content. Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance has designed, built, and commissioned both retrofit and new construction projects that exemplify the concepts covered in class. Course content will include design examples, photos installations, and test results from commissioning.
The HVAC equipment, materials and knowledge required to dramatically improve the performance of HVAC systems is readily available. This class will assist the designer, installer, and rater in their efforts to improve the HVAC systems we build.

Practical Efficient Hot Water Delivery: Structured Plumbing Applied in Retrofit and New Construction
2024-11-12 09:00 - 12:00
On the average Californians consume less water than the residents of other states. Even so there is a need for us to conserve even more water. The construction community has an opportunity to further reduce residential water use in ways that do not feel like conservation to our customers. In this class, Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance looks at changing the way hot water is stored and delivered to the tap in residential buildings. The theory behind our approach is called “Structured Plumbing”. This will be a practical class focusing on how to install or modify hot water plumbing following the principles of “Structured Plumbing”. The presentation is based on completed projects including retrofits and new construction.

Balanced Ventilation for Better Health, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency: IAQ, OAQ, Ventilation and Filtration
2024-11-14 09:00 - 13:00
More and more buildings are being constructed with high-performance building envelopes. For these buildings, a well-designed and installed ventilation system is a must. Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance delves into why ventilation and filtration are so important. We will look at indoor and outdoor air quality and discuss the effectiveness of ventilation and filtration at managing various pollutants. In addition to the large body of evidence we already had supporting the need for ventilation and filtration in residential buildings, we will consider the current impacts of building electrification, the pandemic, and wildfires on our systems.
This four-hour class is designed to help participants identify and understand critical issues relating to healthy buildings. The class will help participants improve their ability to discuss these issues with customers and will also lay the groundwork for the other course in the Balanced Ventilation series about the design and installation of balanced ventilation and filtration systems.

Retrofitting Crawlspaces for Health, Moisture Management, and Wildfire Safety
2024-12-03 09:00 - 12:00
Many existing crawlspaces require remediation prior to other energy upgrade work in the house can proceed, including attic or electrification upgrades. This course examines retrofits of vented and unvented crawlspaces, the tradeoffs between each crawlspace assembly and the crawlspace assembly’s impact on the home’s overall performance and comfort. From home durability to occupant safety and comfort, Dan Perunko of Balance Point Home Performance will address moisture and vapor sources, rodent control, as well as strategies to reduce wildfire ember intrusion.

Air Sealing New and Retrofit Construction
2024-12-04 09:00 - 11:30
Designing and constructing airtight houses and buildings allows for projects that need less heating and cooling. As a result, it is less costly to attain zero carbon as proper air sealing saves energy and results in smaller mechanical equipment. Achieving super airtight assemblies is about the correct mind set as well as proper protocol and materials. This class will allow you to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your project’s air sealing goals. Terry Nordbye will demonstrate step by step procedures and materials to air seal a new construction house, including Passive House, to virtually any airtightness and achieve deep reductions in retrofit work. You will be shown all steps from planning to construction and learn why, where, and when to air seal.
