0.1 Introduction to Energy Auditing Course Overview
0.1 Introduction to Energy Auditing Course Overview
Background
Buildings account for 39% of all energy consumed in the United States (source: U.S.
Green Building Council). A typical American home releases nearly twice as much
carbon dioxide annually as a typical car (source: Alliance to Save Energy). Reducing
home and building energy consumption has become a primary focus as the United
States moves to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to embrace the emerging ‘green’
economy. The energy audit is our most important tool in understanding the energy
uses of a building and how to optimize its performance.
About the Course
Introduction to Energy Auditing is designed to provide students with the skills and
knowledge to effectively conduct energy audits for residential, commercial and
educational buildings. This interdisciplinary course uses hands-on demonstrations,
interactive activities, readings, discussions, fieldwork and take-home assignments to
engage students in understanding and applying important energy efficiency
concepts. Comprised of a sequence of eight units, the curriculum fosters proficiency
in the use of energy monitoring and diagnostic tools, energy calculations and
reporting protocols. By conducting actual energy audits for real clients, students will
gain hands-on experience that will prepare them to enter the green workforce or to
continue in advanced coursework.
Through the integration of science, language arts, mathematics, and service
learning, the energy audit course encourages logic, foresight, and critical thinking,
empowering students to make informed decisions and to take action to incorporate
energy efficiency in their homes, at their school, and in their community.
Furthermore, students gain hands-on experience directly translatable to careers in
the green collar workforce. Through inclusion of background information and an
array of resources, the curriculum allows teachers to adapt lessons to their students’
skills, learning styles and interests. The course is designed with adaptability in mind
to allow the curriculum to span multiple objectives, class schedules, student skill
levels and background knowledge. The course concludes with an internship and/or
job-shadowing component with local energy professionals, providing a direct
gateway from the classroom to the professional world of energy efficiency.
This course explores the general concepts behind the generation, transmission, and
end use of energy, the impact of our energy choices on society, the economy and the
natural environment, and the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable
energy measures to reduce social, environmental and economic impacts. The focus
of instruction is on providing students with a foundation in energy efficiency
auditing practices and approaches. Through this course, students gain skills directly
applicable to the expanding green trades, gaining an ability to identify energy
savings opportunities and evaluate the possible technological and behavioral
measures to reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, students become proficient
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0.1 Introduction to Energy Auditing Course Overview
in the use of energy monitoring and diagnostic tools, energy calculations and
reporting protocols.
This curriculum is designed as a 1 year, 2-semester (2 hrs/day, 400 hours total)
program. Every lesson is organized to include: an orientation with learning
objectives; background information; additional resources; activities and instructions
to carry the activities out. Lesson specific key words and suggested extensions for
all lessons are provided as appendices. Each lesson is accompanied by one or more
in-class exercises, fieldwork exercises or take-home assignments. The curriculum
includes suggested schedules meant to function as a guide for sequential
implementation of the lessons and their corresponding activities and homework
assignments. Instructors can assess and track student performance based on their
satisfactory completion of the assignments. The instructor may wish to use some
suggested homework assignments as in class activities and vice versa.
Background information is included to ensure the instructor is well prepared to
deliver the course to his or her students. Each lesson is designed to guide the
teacher in the delivery of critical information relevant to the lesson’s topic.
Furthermore, each lesson includes a list of online resources for further investigation
by the instructor and/or students. Throughout the course, students will need
consistent access to computers with internet, in the classroom as well as for
homework assignments.
Professional energy auditors utilize energy metering and diagnostic tools to ensure
accuracy in their assessments. Although course developers have made every effort
to keep costs and material requirements to a minimum, instructors will need to
acquire energy audit tools for use in the classroom. If the instructor, school or
school district is unable to purchase these tools, many California energy utilities
host free energy tool lending libraries. Check with your local utility to find out if
they offer a tool lending library.
Target Grade Levels
The course has been designed for integration into existing 11th grade high school
courses. The units, background information and support materials are tailored to
address a wide range of student learning styles, skill levels, and prior knowledge.
Subsequently, the instructor can readily tailor each lesson to meet specific
instructional objectives.
Program Overview
Introduction to Energy Auditing is composed of 8 lessons, each with specific
activities. The intention of this curriculum is to proceed from Lesson 1 through
Lesson 8, though it is also anticipated that instructors will customize this content to
suit their student and school capacities.
1. Energy and Energy Efficiency Fundamentals Review
 Become familiar with energy concepts, electricity generation, transmission
and distribution, and understanding energy consumption by building types.
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0.1 Introduction to Energy Auditing Course Overview
2. Energy Calculations
 Learn about energy metrics and utilizing meters and energy bills.
3. Energy Consumers and Efficiency Measures
 Learn how to measure energy consumption focusing on plug loads and
lighting efficacy.
4. Energy Audit Best Practices
 Develop an action plan for conducting an energy audit including the walk
through and analysis and recommendations.
5. Practice Energy Audits
 Conduct residential, school, and small commercial energy audits.
6. Energy Auditor Certification Programs
 Become familiar with certification agencies and standards
7. Codes and Regulations
 Understand current codes, legislation, state and local incentive programs, and
clean energy initiatives.
8. Career Outlook
 Examine current trends in energy careers and conduct an interview and report
on findings.
Tips for the Instructor
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Read the Background prior to implementing the course. Take advantage of
the “Additional Resources” websites to increase your familiarity with the
subject. Be prepared to learn with your students!
Test all demonstrations and assignments before implementing.
In student discussions of controversial issues, encourage students to speak
from an informed point of view, citing the source of their knowledge.
Encourage students to share their knowledge and findings with their school,
families, and community.
Help students see connections between what they are learning, other
curricular areas, and the real world.
Encourage students to gather information and knowledge from experts and
resources outside the classroom. Use guest speakers and experts as
resources when possible.
Help students understand that as citizens of their community, state, nation,
and the world, they have a responsibility for what happens and can make a
difference through their choices and actions.
Assessment
Each lesson affords the instructor opportunities to assess student performance. We
encourage instructors to prepare for these assessment opportunities by first
considering the level of performance that will confirm student learning. We
encourage instructors to assess student performance based on
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The satisfactory completion of assignments
Engagement in class discussions and small group work
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0.1 Introduction to Energy Auditing Course Overview

Any evaluation afforded by clients (e.g., local small business owners) that receive
an energy audit from your students
 A self-evaluation conducted by the students
The instructor may also want to employ instructional conversation methodology by
engaging students in guided discussion focused on energy and sustainability issues.
As students express their thoughts on a particular subject, the instructor can guide
the conversation toward higher levels of comprehension. Instructional
conversation can take place at the end of each module, or at the end of the course,
and can be used by the instructor as a tool for assessing student comprehension.
Course Texts & Materials
Introduction to Energy Auditing, utilizes the following text as primary resource;
John Krigger & Chris Dorsi, (2009), Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for
Existing Buildings, 5th Edition, Saturn Resource Management Inc. (www.srmi.biz)
The instructor should consider utilizing this textbook as a core source for
background material and for reading assignments throughout the course.
Depending on student comprehension of the material, the instructor may choose to
require students read sections of Residential Energy to supplement the reading
assigned throughout the curriculum.
Please contact the publisher for information on obtaining desk copies for instructors
or bulk educational discounts for students.
In addition Introduction to Energy Auditing utilizes a number of web-based public
resources, and limited excerpts from specific texts provided here for educational
purposes under the Fair Use for educational purposes guidelines of the United
States copyright laws (section 107 of Title 17)1
Program Development
Introduction to Energy Auditing is adapted from an energy audit program of
Strategic Energy Innovations, a non-profit organization that provides energy
efficiency and renewable energy consulting and related services to underserved
markets including schools, local governments, small businesses and affordable
housing communities.
Contact information
For questions about this curriculum, to order additional materials, or to inquire
about the contents of this curriculum please contact:
The West Valley College Center for Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy
14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 - [email protected] (408) 741-4669
1
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
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