DEVELOPING RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES

摘要

Environmental issues, U.S. dependence on foreign oil and depleting fossil fuel reserves: all of these issues are increasing awareness for the need for energy efficiency education programs in community colleges. Almost half (49%) of all energy produced in the U.S. is consumed by the building sector. This is almost the same amount of energy consumed by both transportation (28%) and industry (23%) combined. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration [1], fossil fuels supply 76% of the total building sector energy consumption. The development of training programs which teach residential, commercial, and industrial energy assessments can be accomplished with a series of seven courses: 1. Weatherization Training; 2. Building Performance Training; 3. Architectural Energy Analysis; 4. Introduction to Energy Management; 5. Energy Control Strategies; 6. Commercial and Industrial Assessment; 7. Capstone Project. Weatherization Training incorporates hands-on training of the installation of various types of insulation, performance testing with the blower door and duct blaster, air sealing procedures and verifications, indoor air quality standards and verification, and combustion appliance zone safety testing. Building Performance Training incorporates many of the subjects covered in weatherization training but focuses on the assessment procedures with respect to utility study, data collection, moisture and mold issues, systems operation, and indoor air quality. Architectural Energy Analysis covers in-depth building sciences, energy use simulation software operation, in-depth utility analysis with statistical procedures, estimation of energy savings and cost associated with retrofits of designs, and report format and writing. Introduction to Energy Management incorporates utility rate structure, energy management programs, and a survey of energy saving opportunities in commercial and industrial facilities. Energy Control Strategies incorporates spreadsheets, computer programs, and performance simulation software to estimate energy savings, implementation costs, CO_2 reduction, and utility cost savings with the implementation of energy saving opportunities. Commercial and Industrial Assessment incorporates utility analysis, on location assessment format, operation of data collection equipment, and compiling final reports. The Capstone Project provides the real-world experience of the entire assessment experience.