System Performance Module Parts 7-8 Webinar
2026-03-31 18:00 - 20:15 (America/Los_Angeles)
This 4 day intermediate webinar covers HVAC fundamentals for residential and light commercial systems in California. Topics include thermodynamics, system performance, load considerations, airflow, pressure control, heating and cooling systems, and quality maintenance. It also explores psychrometrics, the Equal Friction method, and field measurements for system efficiency. This series qualifies for 8 CEHs through North American Technician Excellence (NATE) with the completion of all 8 parts.
3/23/2026, 6:00-8:15pm Part 1: Fundamentals of building science and how buildings interact thermally with their environment.
Part 2: Factors that cause variations in a building’s heat load and the basic principles of heat transfer and thermodynamics to evaluate HVAC system behavior under varying operating conditions.
3/24/2026, 6:00-8:15pm Part 3: Importance of Quality Insulation Installation (QII) and the basic principles of heat transfer and thermodynamics to evaluate HVAC system behavior under varying operating conditions.
Part 4: Air moves in and out of a building’s envelope through a process called infiltration and exfiltration. Discussion will include the wind effect, stack effect, and fan effect.
3/30/2026, 6:00-8:15pm Part 5: Covers heating systems, HVAC components and functions, diagnostic checks, CAQI standards, airflow measurement tools, Quality Maintenance, and commissioning.
Part 6: Covers the ACCA 4 California Quality Maintenance Standard, impacts of poor HVAC upkeep, the ACCA 5 maintenance practices, and concludes with California Quality Service.
3/31/2026, 6:00-8:15pm Part 7: Fundamental characteristics of air, including temperature, humidity, and pressure, each essential for HVAC processes. Use the psychrometric chart to analyze air properties.
Part 8: Critical role of indoor air quality and proper refrigerant charge in HVAC system performance. Calculate capacity, delivered capacity, and efficiency.

How to Size Your Heat Pump: Intro to Manual J Using Kwik Model 3D
2026-04-13 12:00 - 13:00
Part 1 of a Two-Part Series (Manual J + Manual D)
This practical webinar kicks off a two-part series on getting heat pump performance right—starting with Manual J, the industry standard for residential heating and cooling load calculations. You’ll learn why “rules of thumb” often miss the mark with heat pumps, what inputs actually drive the loads (envelope, windows, infiltration, ducts, and design conditions), and how to interpret the outputs that directly influence equipment selection. We’ll also show a streamlined workflow using Kwik Model 3D to quickly build a simple home model and generate the takeoffs needed to support an accurate, repeatable Manual J—without getting lost in complexity. By the end, you’ll feel confident understanding what drives sizing decisions and how to avoid comfort issues, high bills, and unnecessary backup heat.
Key Takeaways
✅ Why heat pumps need tighter sizing
✅ Manual J basics: design temps, sensible/latent, loads
✅ Biggest load drivers: envelop, leakage, ducts, etc.
✅ Read outputs to pick capacity + airflow
✅ Kwik Model 3D workflow for fast takeoffs
About the Instructors Spencer Rosen is a leading home energy expert & educator, founder of Home Energy Academy, and a recognized thought leader in energy efficiency, HVAC performance, and electrification. Russell King, M.E. is the creator of Kwik Model 3D and a specialist in HVAC design and diagnostics, home energy rating systems, and California energy codes.

How to Design Your Duct System for a Heat Pump: Intro to Manual D Using Kwik Model 3D
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00
Part 2 of a Two-Part Series (Manual J + Manual D)
Great heat pump outcomes depend on the duct system delivering the right airflow to the right rooms—quietly and consistently. With heat pumps, comfort is often more dependent on distribution than “blasting” very hot air, which makes duct design a primary driver of success. In this session, you’ll learn the “why” behind Manual D and the duct design choices that most affect airflow, comfort, and noise—layout strategy, return design, fitting losses/effective length, and managing static pressure. You’ll also see how to translate Manual J room-by-room loads into a practical duct design concept, and how Kwik Model 3D can help visualize the home, support planning, and connect design intent to install-ready decisions.
Key Takeaways
✅ Why ducts matter more with heat pumps
✅ Manual D basics: airflow, friction, static pressure
✅ Duct layouts that balance rooms better
✅ Return strategies that cut noise + improve comfort
✅ Turn room loads into an install-ready duct plan
About the Instructors Spencer Rosen is a leading home energy expert & educator, founder of Home Energy Academy, and a recognized thought leader in energy efficiency, HVAC performance, and electrification. Russell King, M.E. is the creator of Kwik Model 3D and a specialist in HVAC design and diagnostics, home energy rating systems, and California energy codes.

Fire Resistant Homes: Building Strategies that Reduce Risk
2026-05-07 12:00 - 14:00
Wildfires are reshaping how Californians think about housing safety and resilience. Attendees will gain comprehension about common home risks and vulnerabilities, fire resistant features, and risk reduction strategies.
In 2025, two legal documents related to fire risk and real estate were updated; Department of Real Estate’s Transfer Disclosure Statement requirements and a section of CA’s T24 building code specific to fire resistance of homes.
We’re seeing increasing evidence that features typical to efficient, higher performance homes are intrinsically fire resistant. Air tightness, durable, non-combustible roofs and cladding, simple architectural forms, no vents, high performance windows… are recognized as contributing factors to homes that have survived fires as well as preventing smoke intrusion. Prevention of fires and resulting damage also helps decrease air pollution and related emissions that impact human health.
In these two hours we’ll explore key causes of ignition as well as examples of homes that survived fires and why. We will cover non-combustible roofing, cladding, considerations of architectural form, and details of many common measures that reduce risk of ignition as well as new innovations in materials and systems.
Attendees will increase their comprehension of the definition and benefits of resilience, not only to the structure but also to human health and safety, and what measures increase a homes’ resilience during power losses and extreme events including fires.
We’ll explore the details of several impressive fire rebuild projects.
In closing, attendees will engage in a class exercise and discussion around valuation of homes that have been upgraded to increase their fire-resistance.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common home vulnerabilities to fire
2. Become familiarized with examples of homes that survived fires and why
3. State common efficiency and performance measures that increase fire resistance
4. State multiple health, safety, efficiency, resilience and fire-resistance benefits of science-based building principles, including air leakage and temperature control.
5. Recognize specific fire-resistant features and risk reduction strategies.
6. Apply knowledge to home design, construction details and real estate decision making.

AC/HP Refrigeration Module 2026
2026-05-11 18:00 - 2026-05-12 20:15, 2026-05-18 18:00 - 2026-05-19 20:15
This eight-part seminar is designed for HVAC professionals, ranging from beginners to those with intermediate experience. The program begins with the foundational principles and theories of air conditioning and heat pump systems. From there, it systematically covers the processes involved in Quality Installation (QI), Quality Maintenance (QM), and Quality Service (QS) specifically for residential and light commercial systems in the California market.
Held in the evenings, this series equips participants with the comprehensive skills needed to expertly install, commission, maintain, service, diagnose, and verify air conditioning and heat pump systems. Attendees will learn to ensure these systems are safe, reliable, and operate at peak capacity and energy efficiency.
Part 1 provides an overview of air conditioning and heat pump systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding equipment and investing in education. It introduces the “Three Mass Fluid Flows” (indoor fan airflow, refrigerant flow, and outdoor fan airflow) crucial for system performance and discusses the significance of proper ducting, airflow, and refrigerant charging.
Learning Objectives:
• Identify all major components and describe the operations of AC & HP refrigeration systems.
• Explain the “Three Mass Fluid Flows” concept and its significance in optimizing HVAC system performance.
• Assess the impact of ducting, airflow, and refrigerant charging on system efficiency and reliability and implement best practices to ensure optimal performance.
Part 2 of this series covers thermodynamic principles and the refrigeration cycle, explaining heat absorption and rejection, and the importance of correct refrigerant charge. It details the roles of key components like the compressor, condensing coil, and metering device in the refrigeration cycle.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain the basic laws of thermodynamics and apply them to refrigeration systems.
• Describe the refrigeration cycle and articulate the processes of heat absorption and rejection.
• Identify and explain the functions of the compressor, condensing coil, and metering device within the refrigeration cycle.
Part 3 of this series covers the various types of metering devices used in residential and light commercial HVAC systems, such as fixed rate orifice devices like capillary tubes and piston flow raters, and adjustable orifice devices like thermal expansion valves. The discussion highlights the functionality, advantages, and disadvantages of each device. Additionally, it explains the role of evaporator coils in the HVAC system, detailing the processes involved in converting refrigerant from a liquid to a vapor state and then superheating it.
Learning Objectives:
• Differentiate between various metering devices used in HVAC systems and explain their operational principles.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of fixed rate and adjustable orifice metering devices.
• Describe the function of evaporator coils and detail the process of refrigerant conversion and superheating.
Part 4 examines the components like filter/driers, reversing valves, suction line accumulators, and refrigerant line sets. It explains the role of filters/driers in removing contaminants from the refrigerant, the function of reversing valves in heat pump systems, and the purpose of suction line accumulators in preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor. The presentation also covers best practices for the installation and maintenance of these components to ensure system reliability and efficiency.
Learning Objectives:
• Distinguish the types and functions of filters/driers and explain their roles in HVAC systems.
• Review the operation of reversing valves and their critical role in heat pump systems.
• Implement best practices for installing and maintaining suction line accumulators and refrigerant line sets to ensure system efficiency and reliability.
Part 5 covers the essential steps for commissioning a newly installed HVAC system. It emphasizes the importance of thorough testing to ensure the system operates within the designed parameters and manufacturers’ specifications. The segment discusses the potential issues that could arise from design flaws, incorrect installation, or faulty equipment, and outlines a 10-step process for verifying proper operation.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain the importance of testing newly installed HVAC systems to verify performance and reliability.
• Identify common flaws and errors in HVAC systems and explain their impact on performance.
• Conduct the 10-step commissioning process to ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications and original design.
Part 6 explores into the necessity and benefits of implementing a Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) program for HVAC systems. It discusses how the natural degradation of system components impacts performance and reliability over time. The segment highlights the steps to create and execute a PPM program, emphasizing the proactive approach to maintenance to extend the system’s lifespan and efficiency.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain the factors contributing to HVAC system degradation and their impact on performance.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) program tailored to specific HVAC systems.
• Assess the effectiveness of PPM programs in reducing breakdowns, extending equipment lifespan, and enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
Part 7 covers the essentials of refrigeration system service, emphasizing preventative maintenance, identifying common refrigeration circuit problems, and adhering to the “Golden Rule” of diagnosis: Minimizing system breaches to prevent contamination and charge compromise of the refrigeration circuit.
Learning Objectives:
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs for refrigeration systems.
• Identify common symptoms of refrigeration circuit problems and execute appropriate initial diagnostic steps.
• Apply best practices to minimize system breaches and avoid contamination, ensuring the integrity of the refrigerant charge.
Part 8 focuses on advanced diagnosis and verification techniques for refrigerant charges and stresses the need to follow manufacturers’ guidelines. It explains both the superheat and subcooling methods, common diagnostic challenges and the proper use of manifold gauge sets to ensure optimal system performance.
Learning Objectives:
• Measure and verify refrigerant charge using superheat and sub cooling methods.
• Diagnose and correct common errors related to refrigerant charge and system performance.
• Adhere to manufacturers’ guidelines and industry standards to ensure optimal system performance and longevity.
Instructor: Michael D. Griffin, IHACI instructor
Mike owns and operates M&M General Repair and Airflow Specialties in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. Mike is an IHACI Instructor, a member of the IHACI Education Committee, a H.E.R.S. Rater, a Certified Technical Educator, and one of only 21 non-union, non-res Certified Mechanical Acceptance Testing Employers/Technicians in California. M&M General Repair has been in business since 1982, specializing in home service of air conditioning, heating, and most major appliances, and is still active today, servicing the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Airflow Specialties has been in business since 2004, specializing in Title 24 Verifying, Energy Efficiency, Delivered Efficiency measurements and retrofits covering most of Southern California, performing Duct Pressure Testing, Fan Flow Measurement, Refrigerant Charge Verification, Fan Efficacy, and Energy Efficiency. Mike is certified by both CalCERTS and CHEERS as a H.E.R.S. Rater, as well as NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified in Service and Installation, Gas Furnace, and has Certifications in Light Commercial & Residential Air Balance, Commercial & Residential System Performance from NCI (National Comfort Institute).
Moderator: Andrew Smith, IHACI instructor
Andrew has over 21 years of experience in the HVAC industry. He began his career as a helper, working his way up to technician with a company specializing in residential and light commercial projects. Along the way, he earned NATE certifications in air conditioning and heat pump service before advancing the role of service manager. For the past 10 years, Andrew has shared his expertise as an instructor with IHACI. He currently works with Lennox NAS and has achieved his RSES CM certification.
