Short Courses

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