Energy Efficiency Educational Opportunities
The amount of energy savings that can be achieved in any home depends on the current condition of the home and its equipment, efficiency upgrades chosen, and the occupants' behavior. There are numerous opportunities for both professionals and homeowners to learn more about the most effective efficiency strategies for our local climate and building types. Individuals can learn how to save energy, water, and money through energy efficiency improvements, as well as the various programs and incentives available. The following classes can help your home’s energy demand, improve its efficiency, and reduce energy bills without sacrificing comfort or lifestyle.

Energy Efficiency Education Programs

For Building Professionals

Sarasota County Government offers reduced fees for the following Continuing Education Unit (CEU) approved professional training programs that support energy efficiency, weatherization and installation of solar thermal technology in residential and commercial buildings. 

• Remodel Green and Profit – This six-hour program teaches cost-effective measures for determining energy-efficient retrofits and techniques for utilizing solar energy systems in residential remodeling. Building weatherization techniques are addressed as a measure for energy and water retrofitting. Participants will:
  • Gain knowledge to construct better, more water and mold resistant homes suitable for Florida’s hot-humid climate
  • Discover how to address lead when remodeling and the tools and supplies needed for proper removal and disposal
  • Learn to select fixtures/appliances that are cost-efficient and to understand the importance of such appliances with regard to Florida’s water and energy resources

Friday, July 20: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Instructors: The Program for Resource Efficient Communities (PREC), University of Florida - Craig Miller

Total of 8 continuing education hours available to attendees:

• CILB 0008174-2 CEH’s / CILB 0001756-2 CEH’s
• CILB 0009802 -2 CEH’s / CILB0007368-2 CEH’s
• AR 9877293 - 2 CEH’s / AR 9876873-2 CEH’s
• AR 9876675-2 CEH’s / AR 98766756-2 CEH’s
• FBPE exp 4028 – 8 PDH’s

Class Location: Sarasota County Extension Green Building Conference Room
Twin Lakes Park
6700 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34241
Thanks to funding from the Sarasota County ARRA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program - US Department of Energy, a reduced registration fee of $75 is available.
Register here

• Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida – This eight-hour program provides a system approach to building efficiency with detailed overviews of structural systems, moisture control strategies, air and thermal barrier strategies, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The manual “Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida”, (required reading for the Contractors Licensing exam), will be provided. Topic areas will include ENERGY STAR, WaterSense, and the DOE Building America Builder’s Challenge.

Coming in 2012

Instructors: The Program for Resource Efficient Communities (PREC), University of Florida

• Home energy ratings provide a standardized measure of energy costs and efficiency. Ratings in Florida can only be provided by state certified energy raters. Sarasota County is offering reduced class fee incentives for the first 10 Sarasota County residents to register for courses at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) that provide the training and testing necessary to prepare participants to become a Certified Class 3, 2 or 1 Residential Energy Rater in the State of Florida. Raters can also provide ratings for the EPA ENERGY STAR program. All courses will be held in February and June 2012 at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, FL. For all Energy Rater course questions, please call the FSEC Energy Gauge office at 321-638-1715.
  
  A reduced class fee is available for a limited number of Sarasota County residents to register for Energy Rater courses available at FSEC thanks to energy education funding Sarasota County received through the ARRA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, U.S. Department of Energy.

• Energy Rater Class 3 (8 hours - CEU approved) Laptop encouraged. Must pass the Class 3 rater test before becoming certified as a Class 2 rater. $100 fee reduction of the cost of the Energy Rater Class 3 course available for a limited number of county residents.

• Energy Rater Class 2 (16 hours - CEU approved) Laptop encouraged. Must pass the Class 2 and 3 rater tests before becoming certified as a Class 1 rater. $250 fee reduction of the cost of the Energy Rater Class 2 course available for a limited number of county residents.

• Energy Rater Class 1 (32 hours - CEU approved) Laptop encouraged. $400 fee reduction of the cost of the Energy Rater Class 1 course available for a limited number of county residents.

• From Blue Prints to Residential Code Compliance: (6 hours - CEU approved) $50 fee reduction of the cost of the From Blue Prints to Residential Code Compliance course available for 10 county residents. This class is also available online.

• EnergyGauge Pro Hands-On: (4 hours - CEU approved) $50 fee reduction of the cost of the EnergyGauge Pro Hands-On course available for 10 county residents. This class is also available online.

Before registering confirm eligibility for reduced class fee based on residency and receive fee reduction registration code by contacting:

Nina Powers
Sarasota County
E-mail: npowers@scgov.net
Phone: 941-650-0876

For more information and to register for classes visit: https://secure.fsec.ucf.edu/fsecstore/do/category/EGTrain

• The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the state’s energy research institute. Located in Cocoa, FL, FSEC’s 150-member staff includes professionals with expertise in engineering, energy research, building science, energy and policy analysis, and education and training.

  • For information on reduced class fees for “Achieving Zero Energy Green Homes.” online webinar training series see http://www.scgov.net/Sustainability/TrainingHomewoners.asp.
  • FSEC offers a wide range of courses covering renewable energy and building energy technology topics.
  • Most courses include both classroom instruction and hands-on field experience. In many cases, attendees can receive continuing education units (CEUs) and some courses are approved for Florida professional license renewals.
  • Class schedule: https://secure.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education/index.htm