Across the country, there is a move toward building electrification, replacing appliances that use other fuels with electricity. Learn about the trends in retrofitting we are most likely to see in the coming years that move the U.S. toward a 100% electric future. Panelists also answer questions about how the following efficiency technologies can work together: Weatherization, heat pump water heating, efficient heat pumps, induction stoves, and electric infrastructure upgrades.

You can expect to hear:

• Common things that building owners and code officials may notice (based on code cycle and location) and how to resolve them
• Pathways toward 100% electrification—it doesn’t have to happen all at once!
• The role heat pump space and water heating technology play in the transition
• Tools and training to help code officials, homeowners, and policymakers better understand the transition
• How the SolSmart program can help communities improve permitting and inspection processes to support electrification with solar power

Four 15-20 minute, self-paced, online courses will introduce facility operators, energy managers, engineering and project management staff, and other facilities management staff to common advanced control strategies. This course series also includes a live Q&A session with SUNY campus staff and national experts where you will have the opportunity to engage in question and answer sessions. Content areas that will be covered include optimal scheduling, AHU supply air pressure and temperature resets, economizers, and demand-controlled ventilation.

Courses in this series are:

• Optimal Scheduling
• Pressure and Temperature Resets
• Economizers
• Demand-Controlled Ventilation

After completing this series participants will be able to:

• Explain common sequences of operations (SOO) and their operations.
• Identify errors and troubleshoot system operation as it relates to SOO.
• Describe what points need to be trended and monitored to ensure proper operation.
• Describe the energy and comfort implications of the SOO as well as implications of not properly operating the systems per SOO.

During this webinar, we introduce ASHRAE Guideline 36-2021, High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems. This guideline is the industry's first attempt to standardize building control sequences and promote best-in-class sequences for energy savings and easy implementation. We will introduce its intent, benefits, scope, and the stakeholders involved in designing and implementing ASHRAE Guideline 36. Then we will highlight the key control sequence concepts in this guideline, including AHU static pressure resets through trim and respond, dual-max controls for VAV terminal unit with reheat, and Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics (AFDD). We will also discuss how to screen your buildings to see if they are a good candidate for a controls retrofit leveraging Guideline 36. Completed and ongoing ASHRAE Guideline 36 field demonstrations sponsored by California Energy Commission (CEC), NYSERDA, and Minnesota Department of Commerce (MN DOC) will be featured.

Your expert panelists:
1.) Joe Zhou, Director of Research and Innovation, Slipstream
2.) Hwakong Cheng, Principal, Taylor Engineers
3.) Gwelen Paliaga, Senior Director, Research and Technology, TRC

2023 and beyond will usher in unprecedented growth for energy-efficient buildings. If you are a building owner or developer, you may be considering constructing or retrofitting your building with efficient materials. If you are a code official, you are likely to be inspecting buildings constructed with different materials and systems. And if you are involved in any aspect of building fire safety, you probably have questions about the safety of these efficient building materials. Building materials have long been studied to learn about their impacts on building durability. But only recently have the materials and systems been examined to look at fire performance as well. Join experts from across the country to gain insights into efficient construction materials and systems we are most likely to see in the coming years. 

You can expect to hear:

• Types of efficient building materials including spray foam and structural insulated panels (SIPs). 
• How to use a free website that provides expert advice on building envelope system performance.
• Available pre-assessment tool to save time and money on projects by helping to review existing health and safety conditions.
• Initial evaluation of the fire performance of selected efficient building systems. 

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are about 10,000 solar projects over 1 MW (megawatt) in operation or development across the U.S. Visit one of them in this 30-minute video, without having to brave the heat of the Mojave Desert. Join Stephen San Juan from RISE Renewables and Sean Silvey from Fluke Corporation as they discuss components and important aspects of system safety and performance. Along the way, select the question marks to respond to questions and learn more information.

In this module, we will explore occupancy-based DCV and CO₂-based DCV concepts, and describe DCV components, controls setup, and control sequences (recommended in ASHRAE Guideline 36 High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems for single-zone systems). 

In this module, we will explain economizer concepts, describe controls setup, and learn when and how to apply air-side economizers. Industry best practices for implementing economizers will also be introduced. Detailed air-side economizer control sequences and a control programming example will be illustrated. Finally, common issues related to air-side economizer setup, operation, and maintenance will be reviewed.

In this module, you'll be introduced to air handling unit (AHU) pressure and temperature reset concepts, different implementation options, and AHU static pressure reset control setup as well as industry best practices for implementing these resets. We'll also explore the “Trim and Respond” method and common issues related to the reset strategy setup, operation, and maintenance. 

Optimal scheduling, including a shortened HVAC schedule, wider zone temperature setpoint deadband, and optimal start/stop, can achieve significant energy savings with low-implementation cost. The most energy efficient piece of equipment is the equipment that is off. In this course, we'll cover the strategies to optimize the HVAC equipment schedules and night setbacks to save the most energy.

In this course, the general building controls field implementation process and roles of the mechanical engineer, controls engineer, controls technician, electrical contractor, testing and balancing contractor, and commissioning agent will be described. 

Field implementation steps, including electrical installation, field-level direct digital control start-up, performance verification, trend review, testing adjusting and balancing (TAB), and commissioning, will also be explained. We'll review how facility staff can participate during the controls implementation process and how an understanding of the roles and steps involved can inform system operation and maintenance.