Course Offerings, Certifications, and Testing

Comprehensive Training

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Comprehensive Training (previously called “Tier 1 Training”): Comprehensive, occupation targeted training which follows a curriculum aligned with the Job Task Analysis (JTA) for that occupation. Comprehensive Training must be administered by, or in cooperation with, a training program accredited by a DOE-approved accreditation organization for the specific JTA being taught.


Examples of Comprehensive Training include:

  • Retrofit Installer/Technician

  • Crew Leader

  • Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector (QCI) courses delivered by Interstate Renewable Energy Center (IREC)-accredited training providers, accredited for the JTA matching the job category

 

Specific Training

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Specific Training (previously called “Tier 2 Training”): Short-term training to address acute deficiencies in the field, single-issue training, conferences, and program management or leadership training is considered Specific Training since they do not encompass an entire JTA.

Examples of Specific Training include:

  • On-the-job dense-pack insulation training

  • State or agency training on new field guides or program guidance

  • Software training for administrative personnel

  • Management or leadership training seminar

  • Weatherization conference sessions
     

Specific training may be provided by accredited or non-accredited training providers.

Specific Training should be provided on an as-needed basis, as determined by monitoring reports, self-surveys, or other methods.

ASHRAE 62.2-2016

 

BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites: None

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Description:

This 1-day class is intended to provide a comprehensive perspective on ASHRAE 62.2-2016 compliance. Air sealing is a fundamental and necessary part of Weatherization that often leads to the home being tighter than is prudent to maintain healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). We will address the “whys,” the need for ventilation, and hopefully answer the question, "when do we stop air sealing?” Mechanical ventilation replaces this lack of natural air exchange. As occupant ventilation will be required on most homes, there are multiple options that can be used for compliance such as bath fans, range hoods, in-line fans, HRVs and ERVs.

This class will cover requirements of the standard, equipment selection criteria, installation issues, controls, operational testing, and client education. Also discussed will be data input for ASHRAE calculators.

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Review requirements listed in the standard

  • Discuss how air sealing and ASHRAE interact

  • Explore equipment and control options for compliance on a variety of home types

  • Look at installation concerns and operational testing

  • Reinforce the importance of client education

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Mold

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BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites: None

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Description:

This 1-day class is intended to provide training is to provide attendees with weatherization policy regarding mold and moisture, knowledge to recognize conditions that could promote mold growth as well as the importance of not creating new mold growth promoting conditions. We will also look at health effects

of mold on certain household members, moisture concerns, moisture control measures, the need for healthy indoor air quality, pollutant sources and client education.

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Generalize weatherization mold policy

  • Summarize health concerns of molds

  • List conditions that promote mold growth

  • Express the role moisture plays mold growth and IAQ

  • Indicate pollutant remediation techniques

  • Associate the impact of occupant behavior on IAQ

  • Recognize possible needs for mechanical ventilation

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Lead Safety Work (LSW)

BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites: None

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Description:

This 1-day class is intended to provide training is to provide attendees with weatherization policy regarding mold and moisture, knowledge to recognize conditions that could promote mold growth as well as the importance of not creating new mold growth promoting conditions. We will also look at health effects

of mold on certain household members, moisture concerns, moisture control measures, the need for healthy indoor air quality, pollutant sources and client education.

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Generalize what lead is and where it can be found

  • Describe lead paint hazards

  • Summarize compliance requirements of DOE, EPA and OSHA

  • Interpret methods of containment

  • Indicate lead testing methods

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CAZ Pressure Diagnostics

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BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites: None

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Description:

This 1-day class is designed for Auditors and Technicians who are responsible for performing CAZ pressure diagnostics and affecting repairs.  We have long been familiar with the term “worst case” draft testing and H&S has always been our first consideration when performing CAZ pressure testing.  While H&S is our primary concern, there are also building durability, comfort, IAQ and efficiency issues that we must consider.  In this class we will discuss concepts and root causes of pressure issues along with CAZ testing procedures and equipment.  From a more complete perspective, participants will then be challenged to interpret diagnostic test results and identify appropriate repairs to help ensure that the building works in all respects. 

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Define the concepts behind how structural and mechanical systems interact in residential buildings 

  • Learn how pressure imbalances caused by these interactions create problems with health & safety, building durability, comfort and energy efficiency

  • Review all Auditor responsibilities regarding CAZ pressure testing and operational testing of appliances under “worst case” conditions

  • Explore how review of the CAZ pressure testing results can help drive work scope development and remediation of problems

NEAT/MHEA Data Entry

 

BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites:​ None

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Description:

This 1-day class will review the required information needing to be entered into the database for running a measures report on the home.  To assist in data entry, we will review and create User Defined Measures, NEAT Insulation Types and some Library Measures pricing.  Itemized Costs, Incidental Repairs and Mandatory Measures will be discussed before engaging in tab-by-tab data entry in the actual audit.  Participants should bring a laptop or other appropriate device with Wx Assistant pre-loaded and a copy of your current database. 

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Review and create appropriate User Defined Measures and NEAT Insulation Types to be used in the audit

  • Understand limitations and appropriate usage of Itemized Costs, Incidental Repairs and Mandatory Measures

  • Navigate, tab by tab, appropriate data entry into the NEAT and MHEA audits

  • Be exposed to Leveraging and Measure Skipping regulations and how it plays into the audit

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NEAT/MHEA Setup & Maintenance

BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites:​ None

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Description:

This 1-day introductory class will help users in the setup and maintenance of their current Wx Assistant database.  We will show how to create and link to new databases going forward along with a tab-by-tab review of the necessary information required to populate the database with current information, measures and pricing.  We will focus on Setup and Supply Library information and particularly, Fuel Cost Libraries, NEAT Insulation Types, and User Defined Measures.  Participants should bring a laptop or other appropriate device with Wx Assistant pre-loaded and a copy of your current database. 

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Navigate to the location of the database for data linking and new database creation purposes

  • Copy and create a new database when making changes to fuel costs and pricing

  • Populate the database with current information by comprehensive review of the Supply and Setup libraries

  • Investigate and create NEAT Insulation types and appropriate User Defined Measures

  • Understand that good NEAT/MHEA runs come from having created good Supply and Setup Libraries

Energy Auditor

 

BPI CEU’s: 0

Prerequisites:

  • Successful completion of Retrofit Installer or Crew Leader courses, OR

  • Currently working in the field as a Crew Leader or Auditor, OR

  • Currently hold a Building Analyst / Energy Auditor certification, OR

  • Have requisite experience in the energy conservation field

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Description:

This 5-day class is intended to provide participants with the knowledge of the steps involved in the process of becoming an Energy Auditor in the DOE National Weatherization Program. In the classroom we will discuss theory, concepts, inspection and the audit process from beginning to end, interspersed with classroom activities to reinforce those concepts and inspection procedures. For hands-on we will perform tasks associated with performing a complete energy audit. Participants are expected to have a knowledge base in place which will allow a viable transition from knowing to implementation. The goal of this class is to take information learned in other classes and in the field and “put it all together” into a comprehensive audit process. 

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Recognize all the requirements needed to function as an Energy Auditor in the DOE Weatherization Program

  • Review information required as part of the audit process for Michigan

  • Organize classroom information and previous knowledge base into a comprehensive field audit process

  • Demonstrate Auditor skills and inspection processes on a home in the field to prepare for certification testing

  • Formulate shell and mechanical work scopes based on a comprehensive field audit

  • Validate work scope recommendations through collaboration with the Final Inspector and potential future utility bill analysis

Air Sealing & Dense Pack Wall Insulation

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BPI CEU’s: 8

Prerequisites: None

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Description:

Proper air sealing and insulation techniques work hand in hand to achieve a high degree of energy efficiency. This course will examine proper air sealing techniques by outlining not only the need to perform quality air sealing but what materials to use and where to use them. This course will also examine how to properly dense pack exterior walls with cellulose insulation. This technique combines the best of both worlds in obtaining air sealing and a higher R-value of wall insulation at the same time. Proper machine set-up, probing walls and tubing techniques will be covered so that the maximum R-value in the exterior walls can be obtained.

Included and required as a part of this course is a 1-day class entitled Weatherization for Shell. This class will examine the guidance provided by the Department of Energy [DOE] regarding training requirements for personnel working within the Weatherization Assistance Program [WAP]. The focus of this class is to lay out the flow of requirements, examine roles and responsibilities, and review next steps for Michigan’s Weatherization Change Vision.

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Learning objectives:

By attending this session, participants will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the need for proper air sealing

  • Learn proper air sealing techniques as well as materials to use

  • Learn proper dense pack wall insulation methods

  • Gain an understanding of the rules governing WAP training

  • Review Michigan’s Change Vision for WAP

  • Examine Michigan’s goal of advanced Weatherization performance

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