Utility Training Takes to the Field

Utilities are taking on the challenge of training private contractors in advanced home performance techniques.

This demonstration house was custom built by students.

Demo windows are used in weatherization training.

Gary Fagilde explains air flow dynamics in heating and air-conditioning duct systems.

Andrew Jackson teaches a class on duct leakage between boot and drywall at the Energy Training Center.

A trainer uses the Telltale House to show how air pressure affects the environment inside homes.

In the past, ETC has focused on low-income weatherization and in-home residential conservation audits. But due to electric industry restructuring requirements, the utility recently shifted its focus, drastically reducing the number of in-home audits and services. Instead, PG&E provides monetary incentives for contractors to install energy-efficient measures in homes (see "Contractor Incentive Program," HE Jan/Feb '00, p. 11). To recieve these incentives, contractors must recieve training, which is provided at ETC.

This shift represents a better use of funds than having the utility perform conservation work itself. There is no better way to change inefficient practices than to teach private contractors proper energy-saving techniques, so they can make them part of all the work they do. While economic disincentives will still play some role in the practices contractors follow and the equipment they install, the trainers find that most contractors take pride in doing quality work.

The incentive programs are the bait needed to lure contractors to the training sessions. The contractors must have the training to be eligible for the program's customer referrals. After that, it's the job of the training center to convince them that the new techniques are valid. With 21 years of experience, ETC has the resources and staff dedication to do that. Some of the trainers have been there for at least ten years. In addition, the center has state-of-the-art training tools and demonstration equipment. Inside the training center, there is a house, where the trainers demonstrate efficient lighting and appliances. In other parts of the building are a duct-testing and -fixing lab and an HVAC equipment diagnostic lab.

PG&E recently modified its HVAC diagnostics lab to reflect an increased emphasis on combustion appliance safety testing. The company added more testing stations and a greater variety of combustion appliances. Students in various programs can now test and diagnose problems with 11 different floor, wall, and mobile home configurations and open and closed combustion furnaces.

A House Inside

In 1993 and 1994, ETC built a two-story demonstration house next to the center; it incorporates all the useful conditions the trainers could dream up for teaching and testing. The house incorporates an Advanced Performance Tester (which runs automated diagnostic testing) to quickly show students the pressure effects of the forced-air distribution system on a building shell. Students use the house for hands-on learning; they learn, for example, how to properly use blower doors and duct testers, and to find and seal duct leaks. ETC has just purchased a fog machine, which will be used to further enhance duct testing and sealing training.

Since the training house was built with a significantly raised foundation for easy viewing and access, the space below the living area is ideal for minor home repair training. In 1998, ETC modified the space below the house to provide workstations for state weatherization program students to practice hands-on door and window installations and modifications.

The attic in the training house was specifically designed and constructed to demonstrate the various installation insulation difficulties and safety precautions that installers and inspectors are likely to encounter. A high, steep roof offers room to observe students, as well as space to work with insulation materials. The trainers believe that the plywood-backed floor has prevented many a student from falling between the joists to the rooms below.

Courses Offered

ETC's current contractor training program includes classes on combustion appliance safety, duct testing and sealing, wall and ceiling insulation installation, and the use of energy-efficient windows. Contractors must complete these trainings in order to participate in the utility's contractor incentive program. A homeowner who hires an approved contractor to install energy efficiency measures pays a reduced fee, which is supplemented by a utility incentive.

In addition to the contractor incentive program, ETC also offers four courses that focus on California's Title 24 building energy efficiency standards for new construction. These courses cover duct design, air distribution diagnostic testing, equipment sizing and selection, and duct installation standards. The courses are aimed at both HVAC subcontractors and California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System (CHEERS)(see "Home Energy Ratings in California," HE Sept/Oct '93, p. 7) raters, who are finding a new niche in the latest residential energy efficiency standards (Title 24).

Under the new standards, builders can now claim performance credits for a tight envelope and/or well-designed tight ductwork. HVAC contractors test and self-certify all of the homes for which they claim the credit. About 400 people have completed training at ETC to be able to do this self-certification.

In addition, 15% of the homes for which a builder claims performance credits must be independently verified by a CHEERS rater. The state regulations allow CHEERS raters to independently verify that the building meets performance standards for the new credits; thus, both contractors and CHEERS raters need the training. There are currently about 40 active CHEERS raters who are trained to do Title 24 verification. These numbers are increasing rapidly: ETC is holding trainings every other month, with about 15 people per class.

Changing Contractor Thinking

Karen Lynch, ETC's administrator, greets everyone who comes through the door. She says that new contractors often come in grumbling at the beginning of a session. Although the training itself is free, they're missing billable hours to be there, and they don't expect to learn anything new. But by the end of the day, she says, they come out energized and inspired. Training center supervisor Charles Segerstrom says that this element is vital to the overall success of the program. He would never put a novice instructor in front of these classes; the contractors may come because they are required to, Segerstrom says, but they should leave with valuable knowledge and tools that they can use to help their businesses.

The attendees' reactions illustrate this point. After attending one of the ETC's classes on windows, taught by veteran instructor Jim O'Bannon of Richard Heath & Associates, the originally skeptical owner of a window installation company said he was going to require all five people on his staff to attend the class. Another contractor stated that "this kind of class should be a minimum requirement for people doing this work." Getting students to realize the value of the information is the prime achievement of any trainer or teacher.

From 5,000 ft² in 1978, the ETC has expanded to more than 20,000 ft² today. Training center graduates have done on-site energy efficiency surveys for more than two million households and one million multifamily units, with estimated energy savings of nearly 350 million kWh. Will the revamped classes be able to reach as many people and save as much energy? Only time will tell.

--Jeanne Byrne

Jeanne Byrne is a freelance writer in Watsonville, California, and a former managing editor of Home Energy.

Utility Training Programs Many utilities around the country offer training to independent contractors. Here is a sample of some of them. If not listed here, please contact your local utilities to find out if such training is available in your area. Program/Contact Information Courses or Categories Certification and Incentives Annual Volume Baltimore Gas & Electric Arlington Training Center Gas Fitters School 4547 Annapolis Road Baltimore, MD 21227 Bill Savage Tel:(410)291-5856, (800)685-0123 E-mail: william.c.savage@bge.com Courses: Journeyman Gas Fitter, Master Gas Fitter, 2-LB Certification Gas fitters license, 2-LB certification 185 Consolidated Edison The Learning Center 43-82 Vernon Blvd. , Long Island City, NY 11101 Patrick J. Wheeler Tel:(718)472-6080; Fax:(718)472-6206 E-mail: tlc_training@coned.com Web site: mo20-www5.coned.com/tlc/home1.htm Catagories: Leadership Development, Construction Management, Electrical Systems, Power Generation, Gas Skills Courses: Construction Management Orientation, Engineering Principles, Plates, Layouts and Drawings   72,000 Portland General Electric Lighting Lab Commercial & Industrial Operations 410 SW Oak St. Portland, OR 97204 Jim Cox Tel:(503)467-7647 E-mail: jim_cox@pgn.com Web site: www.pge-online.com/commsol_index.html IDE series: Lighting Concepts, Advanced Lighting Concepts   N/A Sacramento Municipal Utility District Energy & Technology Center Jodi Newman Tel:(916)732-6254; Fax:(916)732-6229 E-mail: jnewman@smud.org Web site: www.smud.org/commerc/etc/index.html Recent course: The Biggest Energy Mistakes Builders Make   N/A San Diego Gas & Electric Electric Safety & Technical Training 8306 Century Park Court, CP42k San Diego, CA 92123 Michelle Costello Tel:(858)654-1145 E-mail: mcostello@sdge.com Web site: www.sdge.ocm Energy safety program: High-Voltage Electric & Operations, Low-Voltage Electric Safety & Operations, Electric Safety Training for the Construction Industry Continuing education units will soon be offered 720 Southern California Edison Customer Technology Application Center 6090 Irwindale Ave. Irwindale, CA 91702 Rose E. Pearson Tel:(800)336-2622; Fax: (626)812-7381 E-mail: pearsore@sce.com Web site: www.sce.com Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, Basic Electricity, Electrical Systems Analysis, Lighting/Ballasts/Controls, Lighting Retrofit Strategies & Project Management Techniques, Lighting & Daylighting for Architects and Designers, Motors and Drives AIA 3,000 Southern California Gas Direct Assistance Program 2424 E Olympic Blvd; Building 7 Los Angeles, CA 90021-2901 Tony Pimentel Tel:(714)634-5024 E-mail: apimentel@socalgas.com Training for Weatherization and Technology; Outreach and Assessment, Basic Weatherization, Minor Home Repair, Mobile Home Weatherization Certificate of accomplishment 300+

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