Building the Future: Electrification Strategies for Electricians
Electrification is taking form in California – over 70 municipalities have policies phasing out gas appliances and the state aims to have 6 million heat pumps installed by 2030. The massive infrastructure transition from gas to electric will “spark” giant demand for skilled electricians and presents a unique business opportunity. In this session, Electrify My Home will introduce these business opportunities and cover some of the most important electrical best practices for long-term home electrical planning.
A Builder’s Perspective on Zero Net Energy
For the contractors and trades involved in residential and small commercial projects, Zero Net Energy (ZNE), or near-ZNE, is on the rise, to meet the energy code as well as client expectations. Mike Horgan, owner of Cairn Collaborative has been building comfortable, efficient, ZNE projects for 20 years. In this introductory course, Mike will be joined by architect and CEA Jennifer Rennick to review critical components of ZNE including simple best practices to reduce energy loads, increase comfort and indoor health and easily integrate electric equipment and appliances. Contractors, builders and others in the trades won’t want to miss this course, so next time a client asks for ZNE, your answer is, sure we can do that!
Certified Energy Analyst (CEA), Who They Are and Where to Find Them
Our Energy Code Coach hotline assists private and public sectors in answering tricky code questions, provide guidance to finding forms, and alleviate confusion between design team members.
All-Electric Retrofits with Electrical Panel Constraints
The building industry will need to electrify buildings at a fast pace if cities and counties are to meet their goals for reducing Carbon emissions. One of the obstacles commonly cited for keeping status quo gas systems in place is limited space in the electric panel serving the building. We will cover how electric panels are sized according to the electrical code and demonstrate tools to double-check those calculations. Options for making existing electric panels work will be covered, including circuit sharing devices, innovative solutions for HVAC, clothes washing, hot water, cooking, EV charging, PV and battery systems. Often the existing electrical panel is adequate for a fully electric home, and we will equip attendees with the knowledge to evaluate this key decision for themselves.
Building Electrification, Passive House PER & California
This 2-hour introduction to Passive House reinforces knowledge of basic principles and methodology while taking a deeper look at how Passive House design considers the California electrical grid, renewables, and building electrification. It will explain the Passive House energy metric Primary Energy Renewable (PER) and PER Factors. It will show how PER and PER Factors interact with the California power supply and design choices and how they drive optimization. The class will illustrate the goals, strategies, and results with regional case studies.
Ventilation and HRV – Part 4: All-Electric Design and Construction Series
On the path to Zero Net Carbon Design, building electrification is the key to reducing operational carbon. In this course, we’ll share the nuts and bolts of incorporating all-electric systems into residential and small commercial projects, including tips for implementation as well as client communication. We’ll provide straight-forward information on current systems and technologies plus a look ahead at what’s emerging in the market.
All-Electric Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
All-electric homes are becoming more and more common in California. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also becoming a common way to house people in California. This program is a unique opportunity to tour a new 1-bedroom all-electric ADU built above an existing garage in Long Beach, and to see the systems required to build all-electric: heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction ranges, and heat pump clothes dryers. Plus, this ADU was built using Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) and went up in 7 days; the ADU tested at Passivhaus airtightness as a result of the owner’s focus on the building envelope. Also incorporated into this ADU build is a Heat Recovery Ventilator and a 12-panel PV system. Nick Brown, President of Build Smart Group, is the owner and will speak about the need to electrify homes to meet California’s climate goals.
Building the Future: Electrification Strategies for Plumbers
Electrification is taking form in California – gas water heaters are being based out in the Bay Area by 2027 and over 70 municipalities have policies phasing out gas appliances. The massive transition from gas to electric will “spark” giant demand for all trades, including plumbers. In this session, Electrify My Home will introduce unique business opportunities for plumbers with a focus on heat pump water heaters, strategies for collaborating with other trades (e.g., electricians), and the importance of comprehensive electrification planning.
Domestic Hot Water – Part 3: All-Electric Design and Construction Series
On the path to Zero Net Carbon Design, building electrification is the key to reducing operational carbon. In this course, we’ll share the nuts and bolts of incorporating all-electric systems into residential and small commercial projects, including tips for implementation as well as client communication. We’ll provide straight-forward information on current systems and technologies plus a look ahead at what’s emerging in the market.
Introduction to Passive House Trades
PHN’s Introduction to Passive House Trades course will broadly cover the following topics: Passive House basics, review typical construction types, windows and installation, air barriers and insulation and new, innovative PH products. It is crucial when working on Passive House buildings to properly install components, understand how to correctly implement design details, and asses and plan for the current and future performance of the building. This live online course is accompanied by mini video tutorials for various PH product installations, plus incorporates actual building of Passive House details relevant to the US construction industry.