Beyond Energy: Using Passive House Standards To Boost Resilience Of California’s Built Environment
The State of California has ambitious goals to decarbonize its economy in the near future. However, when it comes to building efficiency, even the latest version of Title 24 focuses on mechanical systems and renewable energy sources rather than prioritizing the quality of the buildings themselves.
This presentation illustrates the advantages of adopting Passive House standards for building and renovating structures in a resilient and energy-efficient manner, even in California’s mild climate conditions.
Case studies are used to demonstrate the balancing act involved in decisions such as determining insulation levels, selecting coatings for glass to balance daylight transmission and solar heat control, and addressing other aspects critical to creating healthy, comfortable, and durable buildings.”
Detailing for High Performance Roofs and Walls
We know the concepts behind providing a great building envelope – air tight and well-insulated– but how, exactly, do we do that? In this course, we’ll provide ‘sketch-level’ details of high-performance wall and roof assemblies that designers and builders can use as an outline to develop their own project-specific details.
The Power of Existing Buildings: Save Money, Improve Health, and Reduce Environmental Impacts
Existing buildings have the power to meaningfully change the calculus of reaching a zero emissions future. In order to ensure the costs of electrification and the cleaning of grids around the country do not put undo financial burdens on building owners and tenants, commercial and residential buildings must significantly reduce demand.
Home Assessments for Decarbonization
This class is designed to prepare building practitioners, who have basic to advanced knowledge of residential building, to assist homeowners on their pathways to electrification and decarbonization. We will cover all phases of the assessment process from understanding homeowner goals and setting expectations, through a methodical investigation and documentation of existing conditions and potential issues, to proposing and prioritizing solutions and offering implementation resources. A homeowner questionnaire template, existing condition form, and annotated electrification resource directory will be included as class handouts.
High Performance as the Baseline
Today, high-performance is recognized as the future of the built environment. However, while we continue to promote high-performance design and construction as providing significant benefits for owners, occupants, and the environment, we depict it as “upgrades” that are well worth the additional investment required. It is important and urgent that we change to positioning high-performance as the baseline rather than positive options that require a premium.
Heat Pump Fundamentals: Space Conditioning and Water Heating
Having gained a solid understanding of high-performance building enclosures from classes 1 through 3 in 3C-REN’s High Performance Fundamentals series, participants are well-prepared for this class, which will provide a foundation in the use of heat pumps for both space conditioning (heating and cooling) and water heating. The class will cover what a heat pump is and explain why heat pumps are essential elements of high performance buildings. Special attention will be paid to refrigerants: how heat pumps use them, how to avoid leaks through proper installation, and why it’s important to avoid leaks due to the damage they can cause to contractor profitability and the planet. An overview will be provided to aid in selecting, sizing, installing, and commissioning heat pump equipment, so that it performs as intended. Note: You are not required to have attended classes 1 through 3 to attend this event.
Energy Code Implementation: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs)
Having gained a solid understanding of high-performance building enclosures from classes 1 through 3 in 3C-REN’s High Performance Fundamentals series, participants are well-prepared for this class, which will provide a foundation in the use of heat pumps for both space conditioning (heating and cooling) and water heating. The class will cover what a heat pump is and explain why heat pumps are essential elements of high performance buildings. Special attention will be paid to refrigerants: how heat pumps use them, how to avoid leaks through proper installation, and why it’s important to avoid leaks due to the damage they can cause to contractor profitability and the planet. An overview will be provided to aid in selecting, sizing, installing, and commissioning heat pump equipment, so that it performs as intended. Note: You are not required to have attended classes 1 through 3 to attend this event.
Duct Leakage Testing: Basics and Beyond
Explore the basics of duct leakage testing. Learn how to set-up the home and equipment to quantify both total duct leakage and duct leakage to the outside. You will also learn the Half Nelson test. We will talk about ways to track down duct leaks along with using the duct leakage equipment to measure total system airflow. Best practices for duct testing including safety considerations, pressurization testing versus depressurization testing and any situations that prohibit using the duct testing equipment.
How to Market Yourself as a High-Performance Professional
“High-performance” professionals set themselves apart from traditional building professionals by exceeding conventional standards for energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, resilience, comfort, durability, and cost of maintenance. From renovations of existing buildings to new construction, high performance professionals play a critical role in creating buildings that meet our climate goals by cutting energy use and emissions and keeping building occupants safe and healthy.
Whole House Assessment: The Home Energy Audit Explained
Measured Home Performance is different from other approaches to saving energy and making money in the home improvement industry. The principal difference is the measured results of home performance contracting, as opposed to the hoped-for benefits offered by other contracting services.
