Efficiency First California

Retrofitting Crawlspaces for Health, Moisture Management, and Wildfire Safety
2024-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
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.

Installing Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) – In Partnership with Ventura County Contractors Association
2024-12-03 07:30 - 09:00 | Hansen’s Plumbing, 2686 Johnson Dr Ste 203, Ventura, California
Heat pump water heaters are where California is headed, and this workforce education aims to smooth that transition. Learn from experts how to install heat pump water heaters so they provide reliable and efficient hot water on your projects. Designed for plumbers and HVAC technicians with hands-on material, this training will be useful to all audiences.
Light refreshments will be served.
Learning Objectives

Understand why we need HPWHs
Distinguish how HPWHs are different from typical water heaters
Acquire practical skills through a hands-on demonstration on installing a HPWH in a closet
Understand the importance of Air Flow
Explore the do’s and don’ts of installation based on real-life examples

Instructors
Nick Brown, Build Smart Group
Gary Klein, Gary Klein & Associates

Energy Efficiency Policy Forum
2024-12-03 | The National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C, 20045
Forum Overview
ACEEE’s 2024 Energy Efficiency Policy Forum will bring together a diverse group of speakers from across government, industry, and advocacy groups to discuss opportunities and challenges for energy efficiency policy at the dawn of a new presidential term and the 119th Congress.
The Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have started to put the largest federal investments in energy efficiency in U.S. history to work. We will look at successes and challenges in the rollout of these funds and at lessons about how to improve these programs. We also know that these bills were not enough to meet the needs for transformative change to address the climate crisis.
At the same time, efficiency policies and programs are increasingly under attack by opponents with a political philosophy that shuns spending and regulation for any purpose. We will look at whether the results of the 2024 election bolster an effort to use current programs as a springboard for real climate action or require a full-throated defense of energy efficiency’s benefits.
The 2024 Energy Efficiency Policy Forum will gather stakeholders from the federal government, states, industry, the environmental movement, and affected communities to share lessons learned from the past few years, and how we can bring even greater benefits of energy efficiency to the American people.
We tentatively plan two keynote speakers and three sessions focused on:

Buildings – combining efficiency and electrification in existing buildings
Industry – spurring transformation to decarbonize key industries
Transportation – the role of electric vehicles in efficient transportation systems

Registration to open September 10, 2024.
Registration Rates

Early Bird: $245 (register by 11/1/24)
Regular: $300 (after 11/1/24)

Maintenance Agreements for Profit
2024-11-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Do you have an HVAC line of business? Don’t forget to offer maintenance agreements! These ongoing contracts can turn on cash flow for the rest of the company like nothing else.
In this session we will cover the reasons why you need a solid maintenance agreement program, what it should include, and how to get the most out of it. Then, we will cover 3 Key Performance Indicators and how to calculate each when it comes to your technician’s performance while doing maintenance work.
Attend this session with Bill Kinnard, President of Grandy & Associates, to get your maintenance agreement program humming on all cylinders.
Learning Objectives
Name the benefits and features of a good maintenance agreement program
List 3 KPIs to measure your program
Describe how to implement the KPIs with your service techs

USGBC-CA Webinar: Delivering Building Decarbonization at Home
2024-11-21 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
In this info session, we will share case studies around electrification, including lessons learned around technology deployment and community engagement.

Join us to learn about some of our recent work on electrification and building decarbonization in low-income communities in Los Angeles through our Green Homes California Program.
This initiative drives innovative, market-leading programs in communities on the frontlines of climate change. We engage with building owners, managers, and residents to drive cultural change and education that accelerates the decarbonization of existing single- and multifamily housing. We will explore several case studies around our deployment of heat pumps, EV charging, and more!

The Latest Tools for Building and HVAC Diagnostics
2024-11-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Retrotec is the world’s leading manufacturer of blower door and door fan test equipment. Retrotec equipment is used around the world, by demanding professionals, to conduct residential energy audits, large building leakage tests, duct leakage tests, and clean agent integrity tests.
Join us to learn about the latest additions to the Retrotec product lineup!
This webinar will introduce a range of breakthrough products to help you easily locate air leaks, measure duct and building pressures, and get the most out of your blower door and DucTester equipment.
Our Mini Probe has been a hot item for locating air leaks and measuring building pressure. We’ve now improved it added a new component to it to give it more functionality that ever before. We’re calling this new probe the Multi Probe. It can do everything the Mini Probe can do plus make it super easy to measure static pressure in duct systems and balance ERVs.
We also have a new handheld fog emitter. There have been a lot of low-cost options that have popped up online over the past couple of years. We have tested many of them, and very few are actually made well. The AirTracer is one we are proud to put the Retrotec logo on. Not only is it low-cost, its super responsive and includes an LED indicator to let you know how much fluid is left in the cartridge.
We’ll have some other exciting announcements as well! Join us to stay in the loop!

HRV and ERV Basics
2024-11-21 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Event Description
HRV and ERV Basics will provide introductory level information about HRVs and ERVs and how they are installed in today’s homes. Information will be provided to enable learners to achieve the following learning objectives:

Describe how HRVs and ERVs provide fresh air into a home.
Identify the components of HRV and ERV systems.
Recognize and plan for climate and occupancy in system design.
Explain the difference between HRVs and ERVs and accurately select the appropriate system.
Understand energy savings that can be achieved through correct installation of an HRV.
Develop basic system design: understanding specifications, system types and sizing, placement, airflows, system types and configurations.

Learning Units
1 AIA LU Pending for this course
Instructor
Eric Fenno, Small Planet Supply

It's Not Easy Being Green: Workforce Development, Codes, & Decarbonization
2024-11-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
California and local governments have adopted ambitious climate plans and goals for their buildings, and the workforce is essential for putting those plans into action. From contractors to energy consultants to building department staff and more, the Bay Area needs sufficient trained personnel to carry out projects and ensure energy and greenhouse gas reductions are realized.
Speakers will explore the relationship between workforce development and decarbonization, provide information about existing workforce development programs and efforts, and discuss gaps and challenges. This online Forum is free and open to all.

Installing Heat Pump Water Heaters in Manufactured Homes
2024-11-20 13:00 - 15:30 | Chumas Village, 3057 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, 93401
Event Description
Manufactured homes are an underserved market for home energy upgrades that come with unique opportunities and challenges. Attend this in-person training to learn best practices for installing ducted heat pump HVAC systems in a double wide manufactured home. Complementary lunch will be provided from Lincoln Deli.
Attendees can meet at Chumash Village Community Room for lunch and can park outside the main building. After lunch they will move to a double wide unit located on site for the training.
Learning Objectives

How to size heat pump water heaters for manufactured homes
The importance of thermostatic mixing valves and expansion tanks
Ventilation best practices
Installation techniques for plug-in water heaters.
When and how to re-pipe to accommodate a new water heater

Instructor
Rich Souther, Pacific Heating & Sheet Metal

TECH & ESMAC Heat Pump Water Heater Education
2024-11-20 07:00 - 09:00 | Online
Overview
The TECH & ESMAC (ENERGY STAR Heat Pump Water Heater Manufacturer Action Council) Heat Pump Water Heater Education includes a TECH overview, ENERGY STAR® overview, and a manufacturers heat pump water heater (HPWH) education session focused on technology features and benefits, appropriate applications, energy efficiency comparison to other water heater types, installation techniques and best practices, service support and warranty, proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and selling strategies.
Attending the TECH & ESMAC training is required for upcoming HPWH funds.
• For onboarding purposes, at least one individual from your organization must attend and complete the post-training survey.
• All installers working on a project submitted to the program must also take either this training, or a program approved manufacturer training.

Topics Covered:
• Key differences between standard gas and electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters
• Benefits and value propositions of HPWHs
• Installation best practices
• Location options, space needs and considerations
• How to size appropriately
• Programming/operating modes
• Time-of-use and demand response capabilities
• Electrical requirements, electric panel considerations
• Condensate management and drainage
• Thermostatic mixing valves, recirculation pumps
• Noise/vibration considerations
• Guidance and best practices for warranty, service support, and maintenance
• Customer education – how to use, what to expect, addressing common concerns
• How to get further regional training and support

Learning Objectives:
• Identify the key difference between standard water heaters and heat pump water heaters
• Explain the features and benefits of heat pump water heaters
• Identify dwelling and customer types that benefit the most from HPWH
• Calculate appropriate tank size based on dwelling and occupancy
• Describe installation best practices
• Describe service and maintenance best practices
• Demonstrate selling techniques and overcoming customer objections

How to Electrify Your Home Without an Electric Service Panel Upgrade
2024-11-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Join us this November for an exclusive EFCA webinar designed by contractors for contractors! This session goes beyond theory—we’re diving into real-world strategies to help you electrify homes efficiently and solve challenges on the job site. Learn how to implement electrification without the need for costly service panel upgrades.
Speakers:
Larry Waters:
“42 years in the HVAC trade, I finally know what I want to do with my life.”
Ten years of Industrial and Commercial systems, including chillers, boilers, large package equipment, built-up systems etc. In 1992 shifted focus to residential as a service technician and then as a sales professional, since then contracted more than 20 mm of HVAC products. 2011 began concentrating on high-performance methodology as a BPI-certified building analyst. 2014 shifted Focus to high-efficiency heat pump installation to replace gas. Designing and implementing- installation of over 1000 electrification projects in the greater Bay area of California. Larry’s experience has made him well-known within the energy circles in the State of California.
Larry started his all-electric gas conversion company, Electrify My Home, in 2019. Electrify My Home was awarded Green Builder Magazine 2021 Eco Leader. Electrify My Home has grown from 3 people just 3 years ago to a staff of 17 motivated, excited electrification specialists. Larry acted as an advisory board member of the building decarbonization coalition and is still active as a Leading Light representative and consultant. Larry shares his experience as a consultant and advisor regarding electrification in the residential built environment with trade groups, non-profits, policy group peers, and individual homeowners. Larry and his company Electrify My Home has delivered electrification-focused training to over 1000 groups and individuals in an effort to speed up the adoption of efficient electrification in California.
Tom Kabat:
Tom Kabat is a mechanical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in hands-on building science, utility program design, implementation, and utility resource planning. Tom partners with others in electrification design projects for dozens of homes, co-authoring guides to electrification and developing a Power Efficient Design practice, aka “Watt Diet” technique, for making the electrification of buildings easier without upsizing the electric panel. He does contractor training in power efficient design for TECH Clean CA program events and for Electrify My Home TECH contractor cohort training. He co-developed a popular PG&E online video class on electrifying without upsizing the electric panel. He co-authored SB 68 legislation to have the CEC develop a site and content on power-efficient design.
Moderator:
Charley Cormany:
Mr. Cormany is the Executive Director of Efficiency First California (EFCA). His experience includes over ten years as a Home Performance contractor for three companies, including his own. Having been involved in hundreds of residential energy efficiency retrofit projects, he provides a “boots on the ground” perspective to policy and program design efforts. He is versed in residential energy efficiency diagnostics, HVAC system design, sales, marketing, and business development. He manages a dedicated team of professionals, providing membership support and advocating for clean energy contractors in California. Together they have created the Clean Energy Connection, a free-to-use online contractor directory tool that connects homeowners to our verified contractor base.
EFCA also provides contractor support services for utilities and is the program administrator for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) residential rebate programs.

Residential Compliance Forms for Permitting
2024-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Event Description
We will go through the residential Title 24 energy code compliance forms, highlighting those areas that frequently snag a plan review under the 2022 Energy Code. We’ll discuss what goes into the forms, how to identify errors and inconsistencies and how to get it right the first time. This course is beneficial for architects, engineers and other design professionals, builders, owners and developers, plans examiners, and others who are interested in efficiency and accuracy in energy code compliance.
Learning Objectives

Understand how to read and correlate information from permit drawings to the CF1-R
Identify areas of inconsistency that frequently snag a plan review
Be able to evaluate anticipated energy performance and opportunities for improvement
Determine which measures identified in the CF1-R trigger construction verification

Learning Units
1 AIA LUs Approved for this course
0.10 ICC CEUs Approved for this course
Instructors
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Grant Murphy, In Balance Green Consulting

California Title 24 Part 6, 2025 Updates Webinar
2024-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
In this webinar, our industry expert will walk you through key 2025 updates to the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) found in Title 24 Part 6. Topics include the new energy compliance metrics and the prescriptive requirements intended to increase building decarbonization.
Live Q&A with our industry expert at the end!
If you have any questions regarding the webinar or have problems signing up, please send an email to Training@ConSol.org for assistance.

CA New 2025, Title - 24 Codes & Standards - Residential (Virtual)
2024-11-19 09:30 - 12:00 | Online
Attend this webinar to learn how the latest version of the Standards will affect building design in your Residential and Non- Residential construction projects.
Course Description:
The 2025 Title 24 Building Energy Code is more stringent than prior versions as California tackles climate change. The new standards are intended to reduce peak energy consumption and slow the growth in demand for electricity , natural gas as well as reduce emissions in California. Martyn Dodd will summarize the new and revised requirements in the 2025 Code for single family, multi-family and commercial buildings and direct participants to informational and training resources that provide more in-depth Title 24 information. Architects, engineers, lighting designers, energy consultants, contractors, and building department staff should find this training of interest and directly applicable to their work.
Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of the program, participants:
• Will have an overview understanding of changes in scope, and new and revised mandatory and prescriptive requirements for residential and nonresidential building envelope in the 2025 Title 24 Energy Code
• Will have an overview understanding of changes in scope, and new and revised mandatory and prescriptive requirements for residential and nonresidential electric lighting and associated controls in the 2025 Title 24 Energy Code
• Will have an overview understanding of changes in scope, and new and revised mandatory and prescriptive requirements for residential and nonresidential mechanical systems and associated controls in the 2025 Title 24 Energy Code
• Will be able to identify additional sources for in-depth information on the requirements of the 2025 Title 24 Energy Code.
Target Audience:
• Architects
• Building Department Staff
• Energy Consultants
• Energy Modelers
• HVAC Engineers
• Lighting Designers
• Builders & General Contractors
Instructor: Martyn Dodd
Having written software used in California for Title 24 Energy Code compliance since 1984, Mr. Dodd is principal of EnergySoft, a Bay Area company that specializes in performance-based energy analysis for Title 24 and LEED. Mr. Dodd has been involved in the California standards development process for the past five decades and has consulted on the Title 24 rules and procedures extensively in that time. Mr. Dodd has taught over 3,000 training classes throughout North America on energy modeling and code compliance and has developed training curricula for over 150 different classes related to building energy efficiency.
Prerequisites:
Participants will benefit if they have some background on California’s Title 24 Building Energy Code.
Learning Level:
Intermediate Class: Content is appropriate for individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the topic and have familiarity with basic terminology and methodology of the subject matter. Attendees should have the capacity to participate in instructor-led exercises requiring synthesis and application of concepts.
Learning Units: 2 AIA Leaning Units
Delivery method: Online
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Registrants will receive a separate email with the log-in for the event.
Internet access is required.
Special Instructions:
Event Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
For assistance, contact our Registration Help Desk at 1-800-427-6584, or e-mail us at ERC@socalgas.com

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Add to Cart CA New 2025, Title – 24 Codes & Standards – Residential (Virtual)

Health and Resilience of Clean Energy Homes Parts 1-3
2024-11-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
Homeowner interest in our capacity to control indoor air quality and increase resilience has skyrocketed. Ventilation is recognized as vital beyond a few seconds of bathroom exhaust, we should be delivering continuous fresh filtered air to main living areas. Concerns around the ability to shelter in place during power losses and extreme weather events range from far-flung rural areas to cities.
Are our homes safe havens?
Can air pollutants like respiratory viruses and wildfire smoke be prevented from entering homes and affecting occupants?
Common efficiency improvements can result in better indoor air quality, low infiltration of pollutants, thermal comfort, sound attenuation, quality lighting, outstanding durability, and safe shelter for extended periods of time without power.
It’s also possible that certain upgrades, if not installed correctly, can cause health problems.
– Discover the possibilities of homes that exceed the norm by facilitating Health by Design
– Meet homeowners who’ve realized health improvements as a result of efficiency upgrades
– Learn what experts have determined to be the six “pollutants of most concern”. Understand what pollutants exist in homes, their sources, potential harms, and preventive solutions
– Explore details of a recent fire rebuild in Santa Cruz. The Firesafe council inspector reported that “this is the most fire-resistant house I’ve ever inspected and will likely ever see”!
– See how many days houses maintained heat without power in the Passive House Challenge!
– Resilience section focuses on fire resistance and power losses

2024 Community Power Coalition Symposium: Empowered by Community Choice
2024-11-15 09:00 - 16:00 | MCE’s Concord Office, 2300 Clayton Rd, Concord, California
Join us in-person at MCE’s Concord Office on Friday, November 15th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to explore new technologies, engage in climate crisis conversations, and develop new partnerships! The Symposium is an opportunity to bring your voice to MCE and bridge the gap between energy experts and local leaders like YOU.
Explore the agenda and register here: https://cloud.info.mcecleanenergy.org/com-pow-symposium

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

Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program Opportunities
2024-11-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join the PG&E Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service for a roundtable webinar on multifamily incentive programs for existing multifamily properties. You’ll learn about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and financing options that can be combined to maximize funding for property upgrades and retrofits.
Programs featured operate in PG&E service territory, including:
– Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
– Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH)
– ESA Multifamily Energy Savings
– California Energy-Smart Homes Program
– Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program (BAMBE)
– TECH Clean California
– GoGreen Affordable Multifamily Financing

Balanced Ventilation for Better Health, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency: IAQ, OAQ, Ventilation and Filtration
2024-11-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
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.

Building Electrification: Lessons from the Field (Part 1 of 2)
2024-11-14 09:00 - 12:30 | Online

Modeling All-Electric Homes in the 2022 Energy Code
2024-11-14 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
All-Electric Homes are having their moment, with state policies, incentives, and energy code providing builders, homeowners, and energy consultants a strong nudge toward all-electric designs. We will go over how to model all-electric homes (single family and multifamily) for maximum compliance benefit, including the Variable Capacity Heat Pump (VCHP) compliance credit and Heat Pump Water Heaters. We’ll also cover PV sizing and how that may differ for all-electric homes and mixed-fuel homes. Retrofits and new construction will also be covered with examples using tri-county climate zones.
Learning Outcomes:

Understand why all-electric homes are important
Learn the energy code requirements for heating and cooling, water heating, cooking, and laundry
Understand how electric systems perform under the performance method for Title 24 compliance
Hear best practices for modeling all-electric homes

Target Audience:

Energy consultants
Homeowners
General contractors
Subcontractors
Architects

Learning Units:
1.5 AIA LU approved for this course0.15 ICC CEU approved for this course
Instructor:
Nick Brown, Build Smart Group

Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Roundtable
2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
New heat pumps remedy this issue largely with a technology called variable speed compressors. This type of compressor adjusts its speed based on outdoor conditions, improving efficiency and cold climate performance in the process.
Today’s top-of-the-line cold climate heat pumps maintain their output at 5°F and can keep your house warm well into the negatives. Join us on December 4th at 10am Pacific to learn more about this exciting technology from leading industry experts.
Samuel Beeson is a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the commercial refrigeration and air conditioning industry. He joined LG’s Utilities Team as a Senior Business Development Manager in March of 2024 and works on heat pump focused electrification activities and incentive programs at the federal, state and utility level. Sam primarily covers the western states for LG and lives in the Pacific Northwest in an all-electric home that he constructed in 2022 with his wife of 43 years.
Jonathan Moscatello, Business Development Manager, Daikin North America | Jonathan is a nationally regarded expert in residential contracting and heat pumps and a co-owner of The Heat Pump Store, a heat pump only contracting business based in Oregon that has installed heat pumps in over 20,000 homes. Sarah, his wife, runs the contracting business while Jonathan consults with utility programs, contractors, and distributors to help them grow their heat pump business. In 2021, Jonathan joined Daikin to help the company participate more fully in electrification initiatives.
Sam Lamos, Public Policy Manager at Gradient. She is deeply passionate about environmental justice and energy equity, which has directed her focus toward evaluation research in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Previously working in EM&V, she established herself as a successful project manager and data analyst, delivering actionable insights to utility and regulatory clients. Sam has evaluated and consulted state and utility programs that prioritize end-users
experiences, particularly those residing in disadvantaged areas. With a strong focus on decarbonization programs for residential and commercial buildings and extensive expertise in the HVAC and heat pump markets, Sam now assists Gradient in establishing policy goals and expanding into new areas.

Practical Efficient Hot Water Delivery: Structured Plumbing Applied in Retrofit and New Construction
2024-11-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
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.

High Performance Homes Valuation 2 Parts 1-3
2024-11-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
For RE Appraisers This is #3 of a 3-Course Series.
Those who complete the series will earn a Special Certificate.
1. Solar PV: Technology and Valuation ( agents, appraisers) Held 10/28/2024
2. Carbon Free Homes: Features, Benefits, Valuation ( agents, appraisers) (Held 11/4/2024)
3. High Performance Homes Valuation 2 (This Webinar) Classes will be delivered in 3 segments on the same morning. 9am-12:20pm PST 3 hrs CE: BREA, BOE
Topics covered:
– Client’s Journey. We consider 4 different scenarios related to buyers and sellers, their various motivations and the connections to the benefits of higher performance homes.
– How & why HP homes can be superior to code-built. We examine 12 distinct benefits.
– Advancing knowledge of building science: orientation, enclosures, mechanical systems, solar and storage. We refer to a real project in-progress of construction, a Passive House zero-emissions home.
– Recognize features during inspections, understand their benefits, and be equipped with key questions to ask about subject homes and comparables. – Review the three standard valuation approaches and discuss a key challenge to completing an appraisal; what questions to ask about comparables.
– Class exercise: Appraisers will gain practice in application as they consider a real, in-progress of construction, zero-emissions home. The ensuing group discussion of valuation approaches and challenges is a highlight of this session and of the entire 3-course series.

Nov 12, 2024 09:00 AM
Nov 12, 2024 10:10 AM
Nov 12, 2024 11:20 AM

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Building Departments
2024-11-07 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are an increasingly popular technology that are a highly efficient means of providing hot water to houses. This training will describe HPWHs, code requirements for HPWHs, resources for permitting and compliance, and best practices for enforcement. Topics Covered: Overview of water heater technologies and trends, identifying HPWHs in the field, Energy Code requirements for HPWH installations and replacements, Energy Code compliance forms, and requirements specific to HPWHs.

2025 Title 24, Part 6 Essentials — Residential Standards: What’s New
2024-11-05 08:30 - 11:00 | Online
This online live event summarizes the new and revised requirements in the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code) for single-family and multifamily buildings, and directs participants to informational resources and training that provide more in-depth information on the Energy Code. Join us to begin learning what the 2025 code means to you and your customers.

Residential HVAC System Performance & Electrification
2024-11-05 - 2024-11-07 | PG&E Stockton Conference Center, 3136 Boeing Way, Stockton, California
Learn to apply ASHRAE 221-compliant testing to heat pump systems and qualify for Enhanced TECH Incentives. This National Comfort Institute training package includes a two-day advanced certification in Residential System Performance and a special half-day training focused on applying your knowledge and skills to residential HVAC electrification. This training program provides the keys to delivering true system performance with real-world lessons and hands-on training.
Open to contractors and technicians in the state of California who are enrolled in TECH Clean California.
Training Schedule:
November 5: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
November 6: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
November 7: 8:00 AM – Noon
Held at PG&E Stockton Conference Center. Includes lunch, beverages, and snacks.

Residential Solar PV, Energy Storage and Microgrid Technologies (Webinar)
2024-11-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Course Description:
Home renewable energy systems including solar, energy storage and microgrids, have been growing at the speed of light! Now is the time to learn how these systems are put together. In this class we will learn about the basics, including application, safety, electricity, solar energy, PV modules (aka solar panels), batteries, system components, maintenance, performance, industry ethics, mechanical and electrical design.
Taught by Sean White this class is geared to include homeowners and will provide attendees with a basic technical knowledge of these types of systems. This class will also provide prerequisite and continuing education credit for NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certifications. There is no better class to get a head start into the fastest growing industry.
Instructor Information:
Sean White
Sean White teaches customized solar PV courses for NABCEP credit globally. He is a NABCEP Associate Provider and a NABCEP Registered Continuing Education provider. Sean has authored 8 Solar PV and Energy Storage books and is always working on more. He teaches course for various entities. Sean teaches NEC workshops at SPI and Intersolar. Sean was the 2014 IREC Trainer of the year and the SNEC Online Trainer of the Decade in 2020.
Agenda:

Markets and Applications
Safety Basics
Electricity Basics
Solar Energy and Storage Fundamentals
PV Module and Battery Fundamentals
System Components
PV and ESS Sizing Principles
PV and ESS Electrical Design
PV and ESS Mechanical Design
Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
How to Identify an Ethical Installer

Learning Outcomes:

Explain the basics of how residential solar and storage work.
Discuss how electricity goes from the sun, to a solar PV system, an energy storage system and to utilization circuits in a home

Target Audience:

General Audience
Homeowners

Learning Units:

This class will also provide prerequisite and continuing education credit for NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certifications

Learning Level:
Basic Class: Content is introductory in nature and requires no prerequisite knowledge or experience to grasp the concepts or participate in exercises. Basic educational activities and materials are meant to establish a foundation of knowledge and competence that will be expanded upon in practice or in higher level seminars and workshops.

Special Instructions:
This is a Webinar class and internet access is required. Customers will receive a link to the webinar the Friday prior to the event.

Optimizing Residential Forced-Air HVAC Systems: Load Calculations, Equipment Selection, System Airflow and Layout
2024-10-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
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.
