Electrify Efficiently: Electrification Opportunities for Plumbers
2026-05-05 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Electrification is taking form in California. Gas water heaters are being phased out in the Bay Area by 2027 and over 70 municipalities have policies phasing out gas appliances. The massive transition from gas to electric will spark giant demand for all trades, including plumbers. In this session, Electrify My Home will introduce unique business opportunities for plumbers with a focus on heat pump water heaters, strategies for collaborating with other trades (e.g., electricians), and the importance of comprehensive electrification planning.
The U.S. Department of Energy has recognized this course as part of PG&E Energy Center’s Heat Pump Water Heater program as Energy Skilled in Installation. Energy Skilled heat pump water heater programs include important content to prepare students to install and specify high quality, next generation heat pump water heater systems.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Electrification market in California and PG&E service territory
Gas water heater phase out
Electrification opportunities in California
Heat pump water heaters and the electrical grid

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

Summarize importance of Electrify My Home’s approach to good electrification
Name at least two factors driving the market for electric water heaters
Describe one feature of gas water heaters that’s lead to their phase out
Be aware of the percentage of California homes with a gas water heater
Explain why heat pump water heaters can be helpful for the electrical grid

2025 California Energy Code and Passive House
2026-05-06 09:00 - 11:30
Part 1 of 9
This course will provide an overview of how the 2025 California Title 24, Part 6 code addresses Passive House concepts. We will look at basic Passive House principles, methodology, and performance targets, focusing on electrification goals and how they relate to the updated California codes. The class will illustrate the goals, strategies, and results with regional case studies.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Passive House introduction
Title 24, Part 6 Code updates
Case studies

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

Explain Passive House principles and benefits
Describe relevant California Code updates
Outline strategies for building design and construction to meet Passive House and new code requirements
Describe case studies of homes that achieve all-electric code-compliant Passive House outcomes and the strategies and outcomes

Demystifying Industrial Heat Pumps
2026-05-06 10:00 - 12:00
Industrial heat pumps are a mature and well-researched process heating technology with over 30 years of proven application. They can efficiently deliver hot water and steam to industrial processes in a variety of configurations. Despite their technical maturity, widespread adoption has been limited by economic factors, low awareness, workforce constraints, and the persistence of fossil fuel infrastructure.
This introductory class for industrial plant operators and engineers will cover:

How industrial heat pumps work
The current market landscape and availability
Key barriers and opportunities for market transformation
The role of policy, utility programs, grid planning, and other market actions in accelerating deployment
Resources for evaluating whether an industrial heat pump is a good fit for your operations

Crawlspace Retrofits in Electrification Projects: Health Benefits, Moisture Management, and Wildfire Safety
2026-05-07 09:00 - 12:00
Part 2 of 2
Many existing crawlspaces require remediation prior to other energy upgrade work, including attic or electrification upgrades. This course examines retrofits of vented and unvented crawlspaces, 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.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Understanding the phases of water and how it is transported
Prioritizing and mitigating sources of moisture
Removing accumulated debris and abandoned systems
Reviewing current common practices
Decision to vent or not to vent and evaluate all the existing conditions
Updating existing foundation vent to reduce wildfire ember intrusion
Addressing weather proofing on existing foundation vents
Reduced foundation venting
Converting a vented crawlspace to a sealed crawlspace
Addressing abandoned foundation vent holes
Air leakage control implications
Recladding the skirt to achieve multiple outcomes
Testing the assembly

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

Prioritize source control of moisture in crawlspaces
Define how water in liquid or vapor form is transported
Name performance tests that can be used to evaluate the moisture balance of the crawlspace
Explain performance problems associated with typical foundation vents
Describe ways to improve wildfire resistance by updating the foundation vent strategy
List an example of a crawl space type that is not well suited for converting to a sealed crawlspace
Discuss methods for addressing abandoned foundation vents
Explain the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrier
State why a consumer might choose to upgrade from a basic unsealed plastic layer in the crawlspace
Identify ways to test the performance of a plastic layer that is serving as an air barrier in the crawlspace
Summarize the real world benefits of installs of ground cover to meet different performance outcomes

All-Electric Retrofits with Electrical Panel Constraints
2026-05-12 11:00 - 12:30
The building industry needs to electrify buildings at a fast pace if cities and counties are to meet their carbon emissions goals. One of the obstacles commonly cited for keeping status quo gas systems in place is limited space in the electric panel serving the building. In this intermediate webinar Nick Brown and Robert Fortunato will cover how electric panels are sized according to the electrical code and demonstrate tools to double check those calculations. Options for making existing electric panels work will be covered, including circuit sharing devices, and innovative solutions for HVAC, clothes washing, hot water, cooking, EV charging, PV and battery systems. Often the existing electrical panel is adequate for a fully electric home, and we will equip attendees with the knowledge to evaluate this key decision for themselves.

Practical Guide to All-Electric Residential Building Design
2026-05-19 08:00 - 12:00
All‑electric homes are quickly becoming a defining feature of modern, high‑performance residential construction. They’re often less expensive to build, simpler to design, and far more economical to operate. When paired with solar, the financial benefits become even more compelling, offering homeowners long‑term savings and giving building professionals a powerful value proposition. For those shaping the future of housing, all‑electric design isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a strategic advantage.
In this webinar, industry leaders Robert Fortunato and Nick Brown share their firsthand experience designing, building, and living in their own all‑electric homes. Their insights come not from theory, but from years of practical application—navigating real job sites, real budgets, and real performance expectations. They understand the opportunities and challenges that builders and architects face, and they bring a grounded, field‑tested perspective to the conversation.

Introduction to Passive House Trades
2026-05-20 09:00 - 11:30
Part 2 of 9
The Introduction to Passive House Trades course will broadly cover the following topics: Passive House 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.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Intro to Passive House and building envelope
Carpentry, window installers, air barrier, insulation trades
HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades
Passive House QA/QC techniques for ensuring success

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

Summarize high performance design basics
Identify typical construction types along with sample details and photos
Differentiate high performance windows
Recall new and innovative Passive House components

ASHRAE Guideline 36 Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences
2026-05-21 09:30 - 13:00
ASHRAE Guideline 36, High Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems, was created to develop and maintain best in class standardized HVAC control sequences. This guideline allows engineers to reduce engineering time by adapting standard sequences already proven to perform. It also minimizes programming and commissioning time for contractors through the use of preprogrammed and pre tested control logic that is being developed by building automation system manufacturers. ASHRAE Guideline 36 reduces energy consumption, improves implementation quality and reliability, and helps ensure compliance with current codes and standards.
This course introduces the current version of ASHRAE Guideline 36 and presents an overview of key sequences of operations. The discussion will include the research underlying the current sequences as well as ongoing and planned future research intended to develop additional advanced sequences for other HVAC system types. Attendees will learn about how to use ASHRAE Guideline 36 sequences and how they improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality.

Agenda

Introduction and safety message
Training overview
Introduction to Guideline 36
General control logic
Zone level control sequences
Multiple zone air handling units
Implementing Guideline 36
Related research

Objectives

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

Analyze the key innovative sequences in ASHRAE Guideline 36, High Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems
Achieve energy savings through HVAC control upgrades and the implementation of ASHRAE Guideline 36 control sequences
Explain the advantages of using standardized advanced sequences to designers, contractors, and owners
Explore how to implement Guideline 36 sequences in new and existing buildings for engineers and contractors

Audience Level
Advanced

Design, Operation and Maintenance Considerations for Industrial Decarbonization
2026-05-21 13:30 - 16:00
This course focuses on the design and operational considerations required to successfully implement and sustain industrial decarbonization strategies. Our instructor will address how to evaluate existing systems, identify future ready upgrade pathways, and apply an efficiency first approach to system design.

The Power to Save: Choosing, Installing, and Optimizing a Home Energy Monitoring System
2026-05-26 11:00 - 13:00
This engaging intermediate webinar provides homeowners, contractors, and home performance technicians with the insight and confidence to understand, monitor, and optimize household energy consumption. Designed for anyone eager to cut costs, boost efficiency, and make smarter energy decisions, the webinar blends practical instruction with real world techniques that may translate into savings and sustainability.
Explore how to uncover hidden energy waste and reduce monthly utility bills by identifying inefficient appliances, phantom loads, and behavioral patterns that quietly drive-up costs. Through hands on guidance, you learn how to select, install, and operate a Home Energy Monitoring System (HEMS), giving you a clear window into your home’s real time and historical energy use. With this knowledge, you can make informed choices about upgrades, maintenance, and daily habits that meaningfully improve efficiency.
By the end, you’ll not only understand how your energy choices affect your wallet, you’ll also see how they impact the environment. The program empowers you to reduce your carbon footprint and create a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable home.

Controls for Industrial Decarbonization
2026-05-28 13:30 - 16:00
This course examines how advanced control strategies and Industry 4.0 technologies enable industrial decarbonization. Participants will explore how energy efficiency, electrification, load flexibility, and demand response can be integrated through modern control systems to reduce emissions while maintaining operational performance. The course highlights practical approaches for implementing control driven solutions in industrial facilities, along with key challenges related to electrical infrastructure and system integration.

Residential Electrification and Decarbonization with the Passive House Standard
2026-06-10 09:00 - 11:30
Part 3 of 9
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.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Passive House principles and how they support electrification
Benefits of electrification
Technologies for electrification
California case studies of electrification
Class survey, closing and wrap up

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Explain Passive House principles in relation to electrification
Summarize the health and cost benefits of electrification
Name technologies that support electrification
Describe an example of electrified Passive House in California

Embodied Carbon and Passive House
2026-06-17 09:00 - 11:00
Part 4 of 9
The Passive House standard has empowered design and construction teams to dramatically lower operational energy use and carbon emissions while increasing comfort, health, and resilience. Consequently, many Passive House practitioners seek to expand their climate-mitigation impact by systematically reducing a building’s embodied carbon emissions. In this course, we’ll deconstruct the meaning of embodied carbon, the frameworks for understanding it, and its role in building delivery. We’ll look at the tools, the strategies, and case studies. Attendees, will emerge with actionable understanding and skills to expand their sustainable practices.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Imperative of embodied carbon
Methodologies of addressing embodied carbon
Intersection of embodied carbon and Passive House
Optimization of embodied carbon and Passive House goals
Examples

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

Describe the meaning of the term embodied carbon, and its implications on building carbon emissions and climate change mitigation
Outline the framework for understanding embodied carbon and the tools for doing it
Describe strategies for implementing low embodied carbon outcomes, while maintaining the benefits of Passive House performance
Outline how ultimately embodied carbon reduction and Passive House goals can work hand-in-hand, supporting optimized climate mitigation and adaptation

Introduction to Passive House Retrofits: The EnerPHit Standard
2026-07-01 09:00 - 11:30
Part 5 of 9
Achieving the Passive House Standard in refurbishments of existing buildings is not always a realistic goal, and 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.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Passive House principles
Building envelope trades
HVAC, plumbing and electrical trades
QA/QC techniques for ensuring success
Q&A

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

Outline the five basic principles of Passive House design and how each principle contributes to the health, safety, and welfare of occupants
Describe why and how hygienic ventilation is an essential defining component of Passive House design and operation. And outline how the Passive House design focuses on very good energy efficiency, which results in side benefits like great occupant thermal and acoustic comfort, improved occupant health outcomes, and economic affordability
Recall the major Passive House tools, PHPP, DesignPH, and Therm, and provide an overview of the tools correlating with data-driven design
Summarize how to get from where the participant is now to constructing a building adhering to the international passive house standard through applicable case studies
Illustrate the data driven design process to help projects meet their comfort, durability, and climate goals

Wildfire Resilience and Passive House
2026-07-08 09:00 - 11:00
Part 6 of 9
With the growing occurrence of devastating wildfires, there’s an imperative to make buildings fire safe and resilient. Passive House can support a clear pathway to achieve these goals. The class will review the latest science on wildfires and building safety, including the interplay among building structure, the surrounding landscape, community, and the Passive House methodology. We will dive into a toolkit with specific steps for analyzing and implementing fire resilient Passive House strategies for your next building project.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Context of fire weather, wildfires, and urban conflagration.
Priorities for building, landscape, and community hardening against wildfire threats
How Passive House characteristics can support fire resilience
Optimization of fire resilience and Passive House goals
Examples

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

Outline the threats that buildings, property, and people face due to the growing frequency of wildfires
Describe critical weaknesses and failures in site and building design that compromise fire resilience
Outline attributes, details, and quality control aspects of Passive House design and construction that support wildfire resilience
Describe code, landscaping, and community strategies for strengthening fire resilience and the opportunities for Passive House to be implemented to enhance effectiveness

Multifamily Passive House Design
2026-07-15 09:00 - 12:00
Part 7 of 9
Passive House delivers healthy, quiet, and comfortable homes in durable buildings. Passive House also provides a baseline on which teams can craft resilient buildings capable of sheltering residents from the violent storms and extreme heat waves to come. In this course, we’ll cover a range of issues that go into planning, designing, and constructing affordable Passive House multifamily buildings. It’s a comprehensive overview, diving into key details, and demystifying the strategies for success.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message

Multifamily milestones
Critical early design considerations
Ventilation and ventilation systems
Cooling, shading, comfort, and optimization
Enclosure assemblies
Heat pumps and space conditioning strategies
Domestic hot water
Certification process
Q&A

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

Outline common pitfalls in designing Passive House multifamily buildings
Describe critical pathways, processes, and milestones in Passive House multifamily optimization
Recall critical, multifamily components and systems and the sequence of consideration and integration
Summarize how well established strategies are evolving and being successfully scaled

Passive House Enclosures
2026-07-22 09:00 - 11:30
Part 8 of 9
This course dives deep into the focus of building enclosure design and construction looking at a range of enclosure construction types, and climates. The course will look at topics of designing, detailing, sequencing, building, inspection, reporting, and testing of critical Passive House components and enclosure systems: insulation, thermal bridge free connections, airtightness, windows and more.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Context of Passive House
The work of enclosures
Efficient design and high quality
Details
Execution

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

Describe Passive House goals and methodology as they translate to enclosure assemblies
Outline typical Passive House assembly buildups and connection details
Describe Passive House window installation details and testing to hit Passive House goals
Outline quality assurance and quality control measures used to verify enclosure performance and reach certification

Passive House Mechanical Systems
2026-07-29 09:00 - 11:30
Part 9 of 9
This course dives deep into the focus of building mechanical systems with a particular focus on ventilation and hot water systems. Learn about the design and construction of a range of system types. The course will examine ventilation, heating, cooling, and hot water topics of performance specifications, coordination, sequencing, inspection, testing, and reporting.
Agenda:

Introduction and safety message
Context of Passive House and mechanical systems
Systems strategy
Ventilation
Heating and cooling
Domestic hot water (DHW)
Other systems and solar
Case studies

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

Describe Passive House goals and methodology as they translate to mechanical systems
Outline typical Passive House heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water systems, focusing on the pros and cons of choices
Describe Passive House ventilation and hot water installation considerations, and the process to hit Passive House goals
Outline quality assurance and quality control measures used to verify mechanical systems’ performance and reach certification
