Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Principles of Energy Use as Applied to the Consumer
   A. Define the purpose of an energy audit.
   B. Apply appropriate terminology to describe energy-efficiency homes.
II. Energy and Its Related Laws and Principles
   A. State the laws of thermodynamics.
   B. Explain energy transformation.
   C. Distinguish between climate and comfort.
   D. List types of energy for home use.
   E. Identify electrical wiring, circuits, and controls.
III. Types of Building Construction
   A. Discuss building-shell and flow of heat.
   B. Describe building inspection and diagnosis.
IV. Air Leakage and Insulation Characteristics
   A. List air sealing principles.
   B. Describe blower-door testing and air duct leakage testing.
   C. Identify air sealing methods and materials.
V. Heating and Cooling Principles
   A. State basic heating and cooling principles.
   B. Describe combustion efficiency and safety.
   C. Identify various heating and cooling systems.
   D. Define air movement in a residence.
   E. Identify various controls for heating and cooling units.
VI. Windows and Doors
   A. Evaluate the construction and characteristics of various types of
doors.
   B. Assess the construction and characteristics of various types of
windows.
   C. State the selection process for replacement windows.
VII. Energy Efficient Lighting and Residential Appliances
   A. Define lighting principles.
   B. State the purposes of illumination.
   C. Evaluate various types of lighting for energy efficiency. 
   D. Identify various energy efficient household appliances.
VIII. Energy Usage as Applied to Water Heating
   A. Evaluate types of storage water heaters.
   B. Identify alternatives to storage water heaters.
   C. Describe techniques for improving efficiency of water heating.
   D. Explain techniques for maintenance and operation of water heaters.
IX. Residential Health Problems and Safety Precautions
   A. Identify indoor pollutants.
   B. Describe moisture management techniques.
   C. State the purposes of mechanical ventilation.
   D. List the purposes for dehumidifiers.
   E. Identify pollutant control strategies.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Implications of Climate on Energy Use in Buildings
   A. Define temperature and molecular motion.
   B. Make conversions between Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.
   C. Define British Thermal Unit.
   D. Distinguish differences between sensible heat, latent heat, and
specific heat.
   E. Define density.
   F. Characterize a climate zone by design elements (solar exposure,
temperature, humidity).
   G. Describe heat, air, and moisture flow through various substances.
   H. Explain the transfer of heat by conduction, convection, and
radiation.
II. Various Energy Sources and End Users
   A. State two forms of energy important to air conditioning (heating and
cooling).
   B. Describe work and state the formula used to determine the amount in
a given task.
   C. Convert units of energy.
   D. Identify modes of electrical power generation and discuss their
differences.
   E. Distinguish differences of various combustion fuels and discuss
their differences.
   F. Identify common residential appliances and discuss their power
consumption.
   G. Complete a residential analysis of baseload energy use and seasonal
energy use.
III. Major Components of a Building Envelope and Relation to Heat
Transfer
   A. Discuss R-Value and U-Factor.
   B. Discuss windows and doors and their resistance to heat transfer.
   C. Define various types insulation and describe characteristics of
common insulation materials.
   D. Describe methods for quantifying insulation values.
   E. Explain effective R-Value based on the quality of an installed
product.
   F. Calculate the R-Value of a wall of various insulation types.
   G. Calculate the R-Value of a parallel path for heat through a wall and
convert to the U-Factor for the wall.
   H. Calculate the U-Factor of a wall with various envelope components
(windows, wood, insulation).
   I. Explain and calculate the relationship between U-Factor and the
BTU/hour load.
IV. Basic Electrical Theory and Types of Residential Electrical Circuits
   A. Explain the atomic theory and its relationship to physical objects
and electron flow.
   B. Describe electrical potential, current flow, and resistance.
   C. Define electrical power.
   D. Explain Ohm's law.
   E. Calculate the potential, current, and resistance of an electrical
circuit using Ohm's law.
   F. Calculate the electrical power of a circuit and the BTU/hour rating
of an electrical resistance heater.
   G. Describe the concepts of a basic electric circuit.
   H. Explain a series circuit and a parallel circuit.
   I. Describe the basic difference between direct and alternating
currents.
   J. Explain the function of a transformer in a circuit.
   K. Describe the power distribution system.
   L. Define the smart power distribution system or smart grid. 
V. Basic Combustion Theory and Types of Residential Combustion Systems
   A. Explain combustion and the fire-triangle.
   B. Discuss the products of combustion and their affect on humans and
structures.
   C. Describe spillage and identify potential causes.
   D. Distinguish between drafting and backdrafting and identify potential
causes for both.
   E. Describe industry standards and tests for worst case
depressurization.
   F. Describe industry standards tests for spillage.
   G. Interpret industry standards and tests for draft.
   H. Describe industry standards and tests for products of combustion,
such as carbon monoxide.
   I. Compare combustion fuels and list their potential energy in BTUs by
quantity.
   J. Describe the atmospherically drafted furnace or water heater and its
components.
   K. Identify the mechanically assisted furance or water heater and its
components.
   L. Describe the condensing furnace or water heater and its components.
   M. Define unvented and direct vented combustion appliances.
VI. Residential HVAC Controls and Electrical Monitoring Technology
   A. Define bimetal.
   B. Make general comparisons between different control applications
(bimetal, rod and tube, fluid-filled, partial liquid, partial
vapor-filled, bellows, diaphragm, mercury control bulb, and Bourdon tube.
   C. Identify the termocouple.
   D. Discuss the thermistor.
   E. Describe the pilot safety controls and methods of ignition of
burners in a combustion system.
   F. Describe the difference between low-high and high voltage controls.
   G. Name components of low- and high-voltage controls.
   H. Name two ways motors are protected from high temperature.
   I. Describe the function of mechanical and electromechanical controls.
   J. Explain the basic function of a line and low-voltage thermostat in a
control system.
   K. Explain the basic function of a programmable thermostat.
   L. Identify the common types of thermostats used in the industry.
   M. Discuss control technology for a smart home.
   N. Discuss monitoring and feedback technology for a smart home.
VII. Fundamentals of Air and Water Heating and Related Components
   A. Discuss measures of efficiency.
   B. Describe electric systems for air and water heating.
   C. Identify combustion systems for air and water heating.
   D. Explain stack, wind, and chimney effect.
   E. Define air infiltration and exfiltration.
VIII. Fundamentals of Refrigeration and Related Components
   A. Describe the basic refrigeration cycle.
   B. Explain the relationship between pressure and the boiling point of
water or other liquids.
   C. Describe the function of the evaporator or cooling coil.
   D. Explain the purpose of the compressor.
   E. Describe the function of the condensing coil.
   F. State the purpose of the metering device.
   G. List refrigerants commonly used in residential and air conditioning
systems.
IX. Implications of an Energy-Efficient Residence on Indoor Environmental
Quality
   A. Discuss air flow and industry standards associated with fresh air
exchange.
   B. Calculate the minimum ventilation requirements for a building.
   C. Identify moisture, mold, and options for prevention and
remediation.
   D. Discuss radon and options for prevention and remediation.
   E. Discuss lead, lead-based products, and options for prevention and
remediation.
   F. Identify volatile organic compounds and list products that
incorporate VOCs.
   G. Define integrated pest management.
   H. Discuss combustion and combustion by products, and their effect on
humans.
   I. Locate industry standards or resources that cross reference energy
and air quality.
X. Residential Diagnostic Tools and Functions
   A. Explain how electrical potential, current flow, and resistance are
measured.
   B. Demonstrate the use of volt meter, an ammeter, and an ohmmeter.
   C. Explain how electrical power is measured.
   D. Describe basic hand tools and their function.
   E. Distinguish between the analog meter and digital meter and explain
their differences.
   F. Describe a manometer and its function, and demonstrate the use.
   G. Distinguish between a blower door and a duct blaster and explain
their function.
   H. Acquire a blower door and duct blaster, and demonstrate the use of
each.
   I. Describe a thermometer and its function, and demonstrate the use.
   J. Define a combustion analyzer and its function, and demonstrate the
use for detecting quantities of gases.
   K. Describe a combustible gas detector and its function, and
demonstrate the use for detecting the presence of a combustible gas.
   L. Identify a sling-psychrometer and a humidistat and their function,
and demonstrate the use.
   M. Describe an anemometer and belometer, among other inline airflow
measuring devices and their function, and demonstrate the use.
   N. Define a thermal imaging camera and its function, and demonstrate
the use.
   O. Describe a boroscope and its function, and demonstrate the use.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Load Calculation Methods
   A. Discuss/compare various methods and programs for determining the
cooling load for a residence.
   B. Discuss/compare various methods and programs for determining the
heating load for a residence.

II. Data Collection
   A. Complete a field data collection form(s) for construction details of
a residence.
   B. Compile information for the type of HVAC, lights and appliances in
the home.

III. Residence and Construction Details
   A. Measure and sketch a plan (top) view of a residence to scale.
   B. Draw/sketch four elevation views showing each side of the home.

IV. Building Materials and Their Relationship to Heat Transfer
   A. Gather information on the type of foundation walls.
   B. Describe the type of slab floor.
   C. Document the type of frame floor(s).
   D. Record the type of rim and band joists and amount of insulation
present.
   E. Evaluate the construction type of above grade walls.
   F. Record type of ceiling and amount of attic insulation.

V. Windows and Doors Evaluations
   A. Evaluate the type of windows and sliding glass doors.
   B. Assess the type and construction of entry/exit doors.
   C. Measure and record the type of skylights, if present.

VI. Mechanical equipment for Heating and Cooling
   A. Document the type and size of AC unit.
   B. Record type and size of heating unit.

VII. Lighting and Appliances
   A. Evaluate the types of lighting used in the residence.
   B. Document the system used for heating water in the residence.
   C. Record other appliances that are presently used in the home.

VIII. Volume and Type of Space Within a Residence
   A. Evaluate the residence for area that are conditioned and
unconditioned space.
   B. Measure and record the overall size of the residence.
   C. Identify the height of ceilings in the structure.
   D. Calculate the volume of vaulted ceilings and skylights, if present.

IX. Data Input Into Computer Software Programs
   A. Enter residential data into Manual J spreadsheet.
   B. Input residential data using various industry standardized
software.
   C. Generate reports using various industry standardized software.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Solar Phenomena and Energy Collection
   A. Explain sun-earth geometric relationships with regards to annual and
diurnal cycles.
   B. Calculate the difference between solar time and standard time at a
given longitude and time zone.
   C. Differentiate between solar radiation and irradiance.
   D. Diagram appropriate solar array orientation for a given latitude.
   E. Interpret solar radiation data sets.
   F. Demonstrate how radiation data is used in sizing of thermal
systems.
   G. Discuss current issues in solar energy.

II. Solar Water Heating Systems Safety
   A. Demonstrate knowledge of OSHA Regulations.
   B. List safety hazards on the job.
      1. Roof
      2. Attics
      3. Confined spaces

III. Systems Components and Control Systems
   A. Describe freeze protection protocols.
   B. Define indirect systems.
   C. Define direct systems.
   D. Differentiate between types of valves and their uses.
   E. Define types and functions of thermostats.
   F. Define types and functions of thermal sensors and control boxes.

IV. System Design Adaptation
   A. List steps and pitfalls in getting permits.
   B. Demonstrate ability to estimate costs.
   C. List installation sequence.
   D. List steps in the inspection of a system.
   E. List components specific to solar pool heating.

V. Site Assessment
   A. Demonstrate use of site analysis hardware and software.
   B. Describe procedures to perform a rough site analysis.

VI. Solar Collectors
   A. List characteristics of an evacuated tube collector.
   B. List characteristics of a flat plate collector.
   C. List characteristics of an fin and tube collector.

VII. Storage Tanks and Water Heaters
   A. Describe the interface with existing or new water heaters and hot
water systems.
   B. Describe use of On-Demand heaters as backup.
   C. Demonstrate installation of storage tanks specific to solar hot
water system.
   D. Demonstrate installation of heat exchanger, and direct use types of
systems.

VIII. Solar System Piping and Pipe Insulation
   A. Install solar system pipe.
      1. Copper
      2. CPVC and PVC
      3. PexTM tubing
   B. Install pipe insulation.
   C. Connect solar system to existing system piping.

IX. Mechanical/Plumbing Equipment and Other Components
   A. Locate position for and install plumbing valves.
   B. Install monitoring components.
   C. Install indirect system heat exchanger.
   D. Install pumps.
   E. Pressure relief valves.
   F. Install check valves.

X. Electrical Control System
   A. Interpret wiring diagrams.
   B. Install sensors and evaluate their function.
   C. Install pump controls.
   D. Install thermostatic controls.

XI. Performing a System Checkout
   A. Install operation and identification tags and labels.
   B. Conduct pressure testing of system.
   C. Conduct leak testing of system.
   D. Conduct control set point testing.

XII. Maintaining and Troubleshooting A Solar Thermal System
   A. Demonstrate appropriate maintenance protocols for a solar thermal
system.
   B. Demonstrate appropriate troubleshooting protocols for a solar
thermal system.