Efficiency First California

Electrification of the Built Environment Part 2
2023-08-03 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This class presents an overview of building electrification in residential and commercial settings. Attendees will explore various avenues that work toward electrification goals including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electrification. Challenges to electrification and ways to overcome them will also be examined.

BPA: Webinar 3: IRA Guidelines 101
2023-08-03 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Thursday, August 3 at 10:30 a.m. ET , 90 Minutes
Get ready for the webinar you’ve been eagerly anticipating ever since the IRA was officially enacted. In this comprehensive 90-minute session, we’ll delve into the guidelines set by the Department of Energy, offering invaluable insights from our panel of experts. Keep an eye out for further updates on this exciting event.
Note: This webinar is available to all paid BPA members or for purchase with our package. A playback will be available for BPA members only.

TECH & ESMAC Heat Pump Water Heater Education
2023-08-07 07:00 - 09:00, 2023-08-23 07:00 - 09:00, 2023-09-11 07:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Manufacturers Heat Pump Water Heating (HPWH) Education session focused on technology features and benefits, appropriate applications, energy efficiency compared to other water heater types, installation techniques, and best practices, service support and warranty, proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and selling strategies.

Heat Pumps in Retrofit Construction - Space Conditioning and Water Heating
2023-08-08 09:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat Pumps have a compelling value proposition and set of features that are key in achieving California’s goals for building decarbonization. In this class, participants will learn about the value and benefits of HVAC Heat Pumps and Heat Pump Water Heaters. This class will present research on the economics of heat pumps and update the industry on today’s heat pump technology.

BayREN C&S Training: How the Energy Code Treats Electrification
2023-08-09 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The 2022 Energy Code supports electrification to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electric appliances such as heat pump water heaters, heat pump space conditioners, and induction cooktops are impacted by different aspects of the building code as well as planning and zoning. With increased incentives and reach codes driving toward electrification, the projects submitted for permits may vary from previous business as usual upgrades. This class will focus on the energy and green building codes for residential as it relates to different electrification technologies. Topics Covered: Discuss the current electrification landscape, learn about common technologies under an all -electric design, understand the opportunities to reduce emissions and how the 2022 Energy Code and other codes applies to all electric buildings.

Breaking Barriers - Energy Friendly Permitting
2023-08-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Energy efficiency and electrification projects have become a focus across the state. Permitting is a necessary step to ensure we are meeting our goals, but is also a significant barrier. In this virtual forum, we will have speakers share best practices and strategies for permitting processes, which may include transitioning to online permitting, virtual inspection, energy friendly permit programs, and more. Speakers will also address common challenges to permitting for electrification, e.g. setbacks, noise levels, panel sizing/utility pushback. Join 3C-REN in identifying obstacles, solutions, and resources for our region through facilitated discussion.

Gas Water Heater Loaner Program- Learn How to Make it Work for You!
2023-08-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Attention Plumbers! Come and learn about 3C-REN’s new incentive offering that pays contractors $1,000 per project for using a loaner gas water heater while upgrading to a heat pump water heater! Bring your questions!

The Ask Sean Show: Electrify Your Home!
2023-08-14 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Bring your own electrification questions and Ask Sean how to electrify your home!
We have teamed up with Sean Armstrong of Redwood Energy, so we can all learn more about how affordable and doable it is to electrify your home.
We will share “how to” case studies, electrification tips including solar, rebate info, eco-friendly ideas for a healthier home, and answer to questions on how to get started!

Introduction to Heat Pumps Part 1
2023-08-15 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat pumps are the most efficient method to not only heat and cool spaces, but to provide domestic water heating in both multifamily and commercial applications. This course explores the composition, operation, and application of heat pumps in building settings. Specifically, this course examines the evolution and versatility of heat pump technology in comfort heating/cooling and domestic hot water applications, successful implementation examples, and essential lessons learned. Furthermore, learners will explore the value of heat pumps, including decarbonization, energy efficiency, and grid stability opportunities.

Passive House Windows
2023-08-15 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
In this course, we’ll cover the basics of the Passive House standard and the specifics as it relates to high performance windows; the design and detailing of Passive house windows; the specific design, modeling, and calculations required to implement passive house windows successfully; and the window installation process. The course will look at the specific drivers that relate to window performance including issues of thermal comfort, visual comfort, aesthetic considerations, and energy efficiency.
Learning Objectives

Identify different key components that make up high-performance windows.
Analyze and review different strategies for siting, orienting, and shading buildings.
Complete basic calculations related to windows and air temperature differences including calculating window U-values.
Identify and describe different methods for how to install PH windows effectively, including thermal bridge free installations, over insulation, and proper shading.

Introduction to Heat Pumps Part 2
2023-08-17 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)

Home Electrification Planning – Class 1: Soup to Nuts
2023-08-22 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
As California makes the transition to electrification, careful planning will be crucial for existing buildings. This three-part series will cover the importance of electrification planning, how to optimize existing electrical capacity to avoid costly and often unnecessary panel upgrades, selecting the most efficient equipment that will keep homeowners comfortable and happy, and putting together a comprehensive, detailed, and customized plan that will set homeowners and contractors up for success. The best way to achieve a desired outcome is to create a plan for getting there. This first webinar of the series will focus on what an electrification plan is, why it is important, and how it is done. It will also cover two methods for calculating heating loads to properly size a HVAC system.

BayREN C&S Training: Heat Pump HVAC for Building Departments
2023-08-23 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat pumps are an increasingly popular technology that are a highly efficient means of providing heating and cooling in residential and commercial buildings. This course will describe Heat Pump HVAC, when HP-HVAC are allowed under 2022 Codes, code requirements for installation, and how to complete compliance forms. Topics Covered: Overview of heating and cooling technologies and trends, identifying HP-HVAC in the field, Energy Code requirements for HP-HVAC installations and replacements, Energy Code compliance forms, and requirements specific to HP-HVAC.

Heat Pump Dryers - Update on Brands and Options
2023-08-23 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat Pump Dryers are the most efficient dryers on the market and use one quarter or less energy than a typical electric resistance or gas dryer. They use heat pump technology to move heat rather than create it and with their ventless technology, they work well in apartments and multi-family units. Heat pump dryers are also having a moment. Manufacturers are greatly expanding their offering of new models including exciting options where washers are combined with heat pump dryers. Join us for a mini-webinar with appliance guru Steve Sheinkopf from Yale Appliances who will walk us through all the heat pump dryer models available and talk about their costs, benefits and drawbacks, and whether the new combo washer/dryers will change how we do laundry.
Panelists : Steve Sheinkopf – CEO, Yale Appliance. Yale Appliances is one of our country’s oldest and most sophisticated appliance dealers with a wealth of experience with induction products and fantastic resources for consumers, a dedication to customer service and experience with all major appliance brands.

IRA Webinar 4: Modeled or Measured?
2023-08-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
This is the final webinar our our four-part Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) webinar series. This webinar will cover the modeled vs. measured approach contained in the HOMES rebate program. You’ll learn what contractors can expect to see in state rebate programs. This webinar is free for paid BPA members.

Home Electrification Planning – Class 2: Panel Optimization
2023-08-29 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
As California makes the transition to electrification, careful planning will be crucial for existing buildings. This three-part series will cover the importance of electrification planning, how to optimize existing electrical capacity to avoid costly and often unnecessary panel upgrades, selecting the most efficient equipment that will keep homeowners comfortable and happy, and putting together a comprehensive, detailed, and customized plan that will set homeowners and contractors up for success. Despite popular beliefs, increasing panel capacity in order to electrify a home is not always necessary. Many homes can be fully electrified on existing panel capacity if the panel space is optimized. The second webinar of the series will focus on determining the existing load, incorporating planned electrification upgrades, and optimizing existing electrical panel capacity, which will save homeowners from having to make costly upgrades, and protect the grid from being overburdened and requiring major infrastructure upgrades.

Achieving Super Tight Air Sealing Targets for New Construction, Retrofits, and Passive House
2023-08-29 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Air sealing has emerged as the number one technique to help make our buildings more energy efficient, achieve unprecedented indoor thermal comfort, and produce clean and fresh indoor air control. This session will show the entire air sealing process of a new structure from the ground up or achieving very airtight assemblies in remodels and additions or the compulsory air tightness for Passive House.

The Electrification Course for Professionals
2023-08-29 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Everyone’s talking about electrification, but what’s a practical way to participate in this movement? Home Professionals are asking “how can I clarify the benefits to my customers of electrifying their homes?” And “what about navigating the rebate and new incentive landscape?”
In The Electrification Course for Professionals, we provide the framework for discussing and planning electrification projects with customers. We help you debunk many of the myths that people believe regarding the superiority of fossil fuels and provide a pathway for your customer to transition from gas to electric appliances.
The course also provides a tool that you can use to help homeowners understand the costs and cost savings associated with converting from gas appliances to electric appliances using The Electrification Calculator. Ultimately, the course will highlight the business opportunity associated with developing professional expertise in the world of electrification and provide knowledge and tools to be effective in this rapidly expanding market.

Reducing Embodied Carbon: Zero Net Carbon Design Series
2023-08-31 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) Series, will begin with the background and an overview of carbon in the building industry, then focus content on energy performance and renewable energy, water-savings as energy-savings, embodied carbon, and finally regenerative design.
The courses have been developed to fulfill the new California requirement for architects to have five hours of ZNCD education as part of their license renewal. Although created with architects in mind, the content is broadly applicable across the building industry.
There are 1.0 HSW|LUs available per class, we encourage you to register for the rest of the series for the full 5 hours of learning units.
Class 4: Reducing Embodied Carbon
This course focuses on embodied carbon, which is the carbon emissions intrinsic to the production and use of construction materials. We’ll discuss the carbon life of materials through all phases – from extraction, transportation, manufacturing, and installation of building materials on site to demolition and end-of-life considerations.
Learning Objectives:

Evaluate methods for calculating carbon depending on project goals
Review Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and the various specifications
Compare specific materials and assemblies to identify lower-carbon options
Look ahead to changes in the energy code that will address embodied carbon

Home Electrification Planning – Class 3: Developing an Electrification Plan
2023-09-05 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
As California makes the transition to electrification, careful planning will be crucial for existing buildings. This three-part series will cover the importance of electrification planning, how to optimize existing electrical capacity to avoid costly and often unnecessary panel upgrades, selecting the most efficient equipment that will keep homeowners comfortable and happy, and putting together a comprehensive, detailed, and customized plan that will set homeowners and contractors up for success. The third and final webinar in the series will put all the pieces of an electrification plan together. Building on the heating load calculations and panel optimization covered in the first two trainings, this webinar will focus on selecting the proper type, sizing and location for newly-electrified equipment. It will also discuss how to structure an electrification plan so the information is clear and useful to both the homeowner and contractor.

High Performance Buildings & Careers – Class 1: High Performance Fundamentals Series
2023-09-06 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is class 1 of 6 in 3C-REN’s High Performance Fundamentals Certificate series. Earn a 3C-REN certificate of completion after finishing the series and passing short quizzes at the end of each class.
Code compliance is a minimum standard for building performance; by contrast, “high performance” refers to buildings that are designed, built, and commissioned to exceed the performance of conventional buildings in energy efficiency, durability, comfort, safety, and indoor air quality. The magnitude of the opportunity to fill this gap cannot be over-emphasized. For example, field research found that a single-day high-performance retrofit can improve HVAC system performance in new homes by an average of 25%. While the mainstream building industry strives for code compliance, a small fraction of those in the industry adopt high-performance practices and produce homes and commercial facilities with lower energy use, greater resilience, exceptional durability, outstanding comfort, and low to zero onsite emissions. These individuals are consistently in demand, command higher wages, win awards, and have the satisfaction of building a better world for themselves, their families, and communities. The secret sauce? Setting quantitative goals, measuring performance, and marketing the superior outcomes.
This class – the first of six in 3C-REN’s High Performance Fundamentals Program – is an introduction to the opportunities presented by working in the realm of high-performance buildings, and how to create a place for yourself within that realm.

Retrofitting Homes for Electrification and Decarbonization
2023-09-07 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.

Getting Past Heat Pump Objections
2023-09-08 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat Pumps are quickly gaining traction as a preferred HVAC and water heating technology, but many customers and contractors are unfamiliar with heat pumps or remain skeptical. In order to meet California’s ambitious heat pump goals (6 million by 2030), contractors and other industry professionals must arm themselves with the knowledge (and sometimes the data) to dispel myths about heat pumps. In this webinar, you’ll hear from Larry Waters, an HVAC industry veteran who switched his focus towards home performance in 2010 and towards inverter heat pumps in 2014. With over 400 heat pump installations under his belt, Larry’s heard just about every objection in the book and will relay best practices for responding to such objections.

Introduction to Passive House Retrofits
2023-09-11 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Passive House Standards are not just for new construction. Existing structures can benefit from upgrading airtightness, insulation, reducing thermal bridging, upgrading to high performance doors and windows, and adding energy recovery ventilation. Applying the passive house standards to existing structure, however, has its own unique challenges. In this course, you’ll review the passive house standards and take a closer look at how they apply to retrofitting existing buildings, as well as the EnerPHit certifications for building with successful retrofits.

Practical Guide to All-Electric Residential Buildings
2023-09-12 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The case for building All-Electric is stronger than ever. All-Electric homes are cheaper to build and operate, healthier and more comfortable to live in, and have GHG emissions roughly half that of mixed fuel homes. The 2022 California energy code will accelerate adoption of All-Electric building and this class will show why electric homes facilitate easier energy code compliance. Taught by two instructors who have built all-electric homes for themselves and are experts in the field, you’ll get an insider view of how to design and build electric, with examples from their professional work, how to overcome common objections and obstacles, and lessons learned from the field. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the technologies that enable All-Electric homes, including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooking, and heat pump clothes dryers.

How to Electrify Your Home – Planning Considerations
2023-09-12 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Homeowners around the world are beginning to embrace electrification (the switch from gas-fired to electric-powered appliances). When done correctly, home electrification brings a plethora of benefits including better air quality, improved comfort, lower environmental footprint, and in many cases quieter operation.
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. Special attention should be paid to electrical panel optimization, appliance location, and considerations for maximizing efficiency.

10th Annual Net Zero Conference
2023-09-13 - 2023-09-14 | Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States
World-Class Education Sessions
Featuring content on: Agriculture, Biophilia, Buildings, Energy, Fashion, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Materials, Personal Care, Technology, Transit, Waste, Water
Inspiring Keynotes
World-class speakers from multidisciplinary backgrounds have held our conference stage. Previous Keynote speakers from XPRIZE, Edison International, NASA, Seventh Generation, Zero Hour, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and more.
Networking Across Industriesi
1,500 attendees from 53 countries and 45 U.S. states spanning all industries

Installing Heat Pumps: Lessons from the Field
2023-09-13 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Heat Pumps are a big part of the solution to meeting California’s climate goals in buildings. In plain terms, they’re reversible air conditioners and have been around for over 100 years. This session is designed for HVAC contractors, builders, and others who want to understand how to install heat pumps right. We will cover how heat pumps can add value to your business, how heat pumps work and various configurations, and how to overcome common installation hurdles. Hurdles covered include dealing with existing ductwork, filtration requirements, cold weather, sizing, and electrical requirements. We will also discuss first costs, operating costs, and incentives.
