(0.5 CEU, 30 minutes) This course presents a book summary of Building Expertise, Training For Performance Improvement. This book is an important and valuable guide for trainers, based on research by the University of California on training methods that work and don't work. We summarize the book in an 18 minute video and a two page handout.

(0.6 CEUs; 40 minutes) This micro course provides an outline of the components and terminology of heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment.

(0.5 CEUs; 30 minutes) When matter changes states from a gas to a liquid to a solid it's embodied heat decreases. If it goes from solid to liquid to gas it's embodied energy increases. This is a very important building science concept. These two videos  give you a comprehensible introduction.

(0.5 CEUs; 25 minutes) Even though we depend on electricity for so many essential functions of our civilization, our understanding of electricity tends to be incomplete. This course is a good place to improve your understanding of electricity and how it relates to power and energy. The focus of this course is on units of measurement and how they relate to the way we use electricity and combustion in our modern world.

(0.5 CEU; 25 minutes) Electricity peak load is one of the world's most challenging energy problems. In the summer heat, the energy users of a particular utility company all need electricity at the same time. This peak load drives up the cost of electricity to consumers, our economy, and the environment. This course explains the problem of peak electrical load and how air conditioning contributes to that problem.

(0.8 CEU; 45 minutes) This course explores the contrast between homes in warm climates and cold climates, both in their seasonal energy use and their baseload energy use. This micro course also talks about how the percentages of electricity and gas usage varies throughout the year. This is important information for energy auditors and professionals who analyze energy bills.

(0.5 CEUs; 30 minutes) Wall insulation is more challenging than floor or ceiling insulation because walls are vertical and experience the kind of chimney effect. This means they are more likely to have convection currents that reduce their thermal resistance, compared to horizontal building assemblies.

(0.9 CEUs; 55 minutes) Heating load is a term that describes the capacity of a heater. Annual energy consumption is an important value because it determines how much energy a heating system uses in a year, and from that you can determine the annual cost of heating a building.

HVAC Basics 8.0 CEUs The many components and processes of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are challenging to understand. The purpose of this course is to help you understand how HVAC systems work, and what you can do to improve their efficiency. This is our most advanced course on HVAC. 1.1 HVAC Retrofit Efficiency Choice—1.5 CEUs HVAC systems are expensive to replace. If we replace an existing system, we should make it the most efficient systems that the client or organization can afford. This lesson covers how to make the best choices to either service the existing system or select and install the most efficient HVAC system the customer can afford. You’ll learn the following. Know the four common problems with AC and HP systems. Understand the two most basic efficiency choices for existing HVAC systems. Service or replacement. The importance of HVAC equipment sizing and selection. 1.2 HVAC Retro-Commissioning—1.0 CEUs HVAC systems are expensive to replace. When we solve HVAC problems without replacing the system, we benefit our client. This lesson covers how to improve existing HVAC systems through retro-commissioning. Retro-commissioning evaluates the functioning of HVAC systems through measurement and adjustment. You’ll learn the following. How to diagnose HVAC-system problems. How to find effective solutions to HVAC problems. How to conduct post-improvement tests to measure your success. The importance of preventative maintenance. 1.3 Evaluating HVAC Airflow—1.5 CEUs HVAC airflow problems are difficult to diagnose and fix. Poor HVAC airflow can dramatically reduce building energy performance, even if the building is otherwise energy efficient. Never assume that HVAC airflow is sufficient for good HVAC efficiency. This lesson covers the causes and solutions of common HVAC airflow problems. You’ll learn the following. How to evaluate an HVAC system’s airflow. How to diagnose inadequate airflow. How to recommend solutions that improve HVAC airflow. 1.4 Improving HVAC Airflow—1.5 CEUs HVAC systems are only effective if they distribute the right amount of conditioning to building spaces. Forced-air HVAC systems are notorious for air-distribution problems. This lesson covers conditions that reduce the effectiveness of forced-air distribution systems. You’ll learn how static pressures, equipment maintenance, and duct design affect airflow into rooms. You’ll also learn methods to improve forced-air distribution and solve airflow problems. 1.5 HVAC Refrigeration—2.5 CEUs Central air conditioners and heat pumps rely on the refrigeration cycle to provide heating and cooling. This lesson explains the refrigeration cycle in simple language with clear diagrams. You’ll learn the following. How HVAC refrigeration systems work. Common problems that reduce refrigeration efficiency. How to recognize refrigeration problems. How to specify solutions that restore refrigeration effectiveness and increase efficiency.

Low Energy Cooling 8.5 CEUs Low-energy cooling minimizes energy-intensive refrigerated air-conditioning by reducing solar gain, air leakage, and relative humidity. Refrigerated air-conditioning is the most expensive way to create summer comfort. When we reduce heat gains, air leakage, and internal gains, we can use air circulation and nighttime cooling to reduce air-conditioning costs or to eliminate the need for air conditioning. 2.1 Cooling Principles—2.5 CEUs Air conditioning costs are rising and brown-outs are now common. Study how human-comfort and climate influence electricity consumption for air conditioning. This mini course explains common energy-efficiency strategies that minimize cooling costs by reducing heat gains. You’ll learn the following. How to stop heat before it enters buildings. How people and buildings expel excess heat. Cost-effective alternative methods for removing excess heat. 2.2 Low Energy Cooling—1.5 CEUs Many or most homes in your region have air conditioning systems. This lesson explains how to use low energy cooling to minimize the amount of time that air conditioners operate. Strategies include cool roofs, window treatments, circulation fans, whole house fans, and evaporative coolers. These alternatives save money and electricity. 2.3 Stopping Heat Gain—2.0 CEUs In climates with cooling needs, the most effective cooling strategy stops heat before it enters the building. This lesson describes how heat enters buildings and the best strategies to stop heat gain. You’ll learn to limit heat gain in buildings, including: solar heat, air leakage, internal heat gains, and heat transmission. This lesson also discusses design details that limit heat gain and how to improve new-building design to minimize heat gain. 2.4 Cooling with Ventilation—2.0 CEUs (1.5 CEU) This mini course discusses how to cool a home with only fans. Fans can create a wind chill effect, and they can cool the home with night air, assuming that the air outdoors is cooler than the air indoors. Here are the main topics of this course. Circulating fans Portable cooling fans Whole-house fans Evaporative coolers

(0.6 CEU; 40 minutes) Multipoint blower door tests are useful for harvesting a variety of diagnostic data that single-point test can't provide. This micro course presents two videos and several reading assignments on multipoint blower door testing with and without software.