A new Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) study has found that the speed with which employment will grow will depend in part on how effectively the nation deploys training and education programs for the energy-efficiency workforce.

“There is a shortage of formal training programs in energy efficiency, and an extremely high demand right now, thanks to the infusion of funding for energy efficiency from the growth in ratepayer-funded utility programs and federal and state budgets devoted to efficiency,” says Charles H. Goldman, a scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division. Because of this growth, Berkeley Lab researchers decided to examine whether education and training programs were adequate to meet the next decade’s workforce needs. The study began in 2008, before the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The new report defines an energy-efficiency services sector (EESS) that consists of several distinct occupation types. They include:

1. Program administrators who plan and manage energy-efficiency projects and programs;
2. Energy-efficiency consulting firms who assess facility energy use and recommend efficiency retrofits, implement energy-efficiency programs, or design homes and facilities to be energy efficient;
3. Construction and installation firms and tradespeople who build new structures, or retrofit existing homes and buildings for energy efficiency; and
4. Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) who develop and construct comprehensive energy-efficiency projects and monitor and verify that energy-efficiency retrofits deliver energy savings.

Environmental Energy Technologies Division News.

Audit helps farmers save on energy.

August 26, 2010
For More Information: Contact Jared Asch 415-728-9775
Washington, DC —

Today Efficiency First, founded 18 months ago, is proud to announce we are 1,003 members strong. The association is composed of the Home Performance Workforce including contractors, energy auditors, training providers and nonprofit entities and other companies who have come together to create new business opportunities by retrofitting America’s homes.

Residential efficiency improvements create American jobs, deliver improved homeowner comfort and increase property values while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and reducing building-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Upon hearing the news, Efficiency First Chairman Greg Thomas said “I would like to thank all of the members who have participated in our ten working groups, stepped up to form 20 state and local chapters tackling issues in the community and all of those who have voiced their support for HOME STAR.”

The industry is composed of small businesses in all 50 states. The 1,000 member is Lynn Benander, of Co-Op Power, in Greenfield, MA. Co-Op Power is a full-service energy efficiency and renewable energy cooperative. Co-Op Power has 15 employees.

Efficiency First represents other small businesses; such as Michael Tanesky in Fort Wayne, IN whose company Tanesky Construction employees four people. Michael has been in residential construction for two decades, promoting greener living and energy efficiency. His commitment is strong as Michael paid his own travel to join us in Washington, DC to let his senators know that HOME STAR will impact the local economy.

Efficiency First member Berenice Lopez from Home Energy Life Performance Group, Inc. in Portland, OR – a founding member from a company of four people – has helped create an Oregon Chapter composed of 33 members that is working both in the city of Portland and in the Capitol of Salem.

ABOUT US
Efficiency First is a national nonprofit trade association that unites the Home Performance workforce, building product manufacturers and related businesses and organizations in the escalating fight against global warming and rising energy costs. Efficiency First represents its members in public policy discussions at the state and national levels, to promote the benefits of efficiency retrofitting and to help our industry grow to meet unprecedented demand for quality residential energy improvements.

–
Jared Asch, National Director
415-728-9755
jared@efficiencyfirst.org
www.efficiencyfirst.org

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/ba_airsealing_report.pdf

Welcome to the Building Technologies Publication and Product Library. This library will allow you to find publications and products provided by the Building Technologies Program specifically for our constituents.

The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes the enormous potential that exists for improving the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of existing American homes. This series of Retrofit Techniques and Technologies describes approaches for homeowners and builders working on existing homes. This guide will help homeowners identify ways to make their homes more comfortable, more energy efficient, and healthier to live in. It also identifies the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution. Contractors can use this document to explain the value of these air sealing measures to their customers. The references in this document provide further explanation of air sealing techniques and technologies.

Studies show that the measures described in this guide can typically achieve whole-house energy savings of 10% to 20% over pre-retrofit energy usage. In older homes or homes with greater levels of air leaks, savings may be much higher.

These practices are based on the results of research and demonstration projects conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving the energy efficiency and comfort of existing homes and requires a test-in/ test-out to test combustion products (www.energystar.gov/homeperformance).
DOE’s Building America has worked with some of the nation’s leading building scientists and more than 300 production builders on over 41,000 new homes. Building America’s research applies building science to the goal of achieving efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable homes.

AUDITS

“Efficiency Evaluations,” by Carol Brzozowski, is a five-web-page article describing the auditing process including the different types of audits, the advantages, paybacks, and more. While designs for new buildings seem to be highlighted in the article title’s tag line, the energy-efficiency potential of the country’s existing building stock is what is primarily addressed. See this article in Distributed Energy , July/August 2010, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/july-august-2010/efficiency-evaluations-demandresponse-1.aspx.

“Energy Audits in HVAC” was written by Barb Checket-Hanks, Service & Maintenance Editor, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News . This is about energy auditing from the point of view of the HVAC company that does the auditing. This interesting article is in Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News, August 16, 2010, at http://www.achrnews.com/Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000880657.

Energy Newsbrief: Library – WSU Energy Program.

Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

When it comes to saving energy, many Americans seem to get it — and at the same time they don’t get it at all.

That’s the takeaway from a new study by researchers from Columbia University, Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University who found that people are far more likely to focus on switching off lights or unplugging appliances than on buying new bulbs or more efficient refrigerators. But people’s perceptions of the relative savings of various actions are significantly at variance with reality.

Delusions Abound on Energy Savings, Study Says – Green Blog – NYTimes.com.

US DOE RFI Industry Responses

Energy Labeling Outlook.

Posts from Efficiency First Blog for 08/09/2010.

Shedding light on home energy audits: Good audit can help identify where your home needs work

Energy Efficiency Canvasser assisting local public utility in replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs.
This position does not require “selling” any product, but does require door-to-door canvassing and distribution and installation of energy efficiency products (CFLs)

Knowledge of “energy efficiency” and “green awareness” a plus, but not required.

Earn between $15 – $25/hr.

Job Detail