Course Description:

The NEAT/MHEA Training Course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) and the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA). This course teaches the student how to utilize energy modeling software in order to determine a cost-effective strategy for the weatherization of site-built homes, manufactured homes, and some multifamily dwellings. The course is designed to benefit not only novice users of the software but also experienced users of the software. The course will include a tab-by-tab review of the software.

The student will learn how to create and edit libraries within the software, how to use and create user-defined measures, how and where to edit materials and pricing, and how to enter site-built and manufactured home specifications into the software to obtain a valid scope of work. Each student will be required to input several models of differing types of housing. At the conclusion of the lecture portion of the course, students will be required to complete an end-of-course examination where the student will input data from a home to create from a NEAT audit report. Upon successful completion of the course and examination, the student will receive a certification of satisfactory completion. The certification of satisfactory completion fulfills the BPI prerequisite for energy modeling training.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the NEAT/MHEA Training Course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the principles of energy auditing and the importance of energy efficiency.
• Navigate and utilize the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) for assessing energy usage in various residential structures.
• Navigate and utilize the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) tool for assessing energy efficiency in manufactured homes.
• Interpret and analyze energy audit results to identify opportunities for energy savings.
• Apply energy efficiency recommendations based on NEAT and MHEA assessments.
• Demonstrate proficiency in conducting energy audits for different types of residential buildings.

Course Length:

The NEAT/MHEA Training Course is typically conducted over a specific number of 2 days, with each day consisting of instructional sessions, hands-on exercises, and discussions.

Delivery Format: Instructor led with classroom and lab activities.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Energy Auditing
   1. Basics of energy efficiency
   1. Importance of energy audits
2. Overview of NEAT and MHEA
   1. Introduction to the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT)
   1. Introduction to the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA)
3. NEAT Training
   1. NEAT interface and functionalities
   1. Data input and collection for various building types
   1. Interpreting NEAT results
4. MHEA Training
   1. MHEA interface and functionalities
   1. Data input specific to manufactured homes
   1. Analyzing MHEA results
5. Practical Applications
   1. Hands-on exercises using NEAT and MHEA
   1. Case studies and real-world scenarios
6. Energy Efficiency Recommendations
   1. Translating audit results into actionable recommendations
   1. Prioritizing and implementing energy-saving measures
7. Best Practices in Energy Auditing
   1. Conducting effective energy audits
   1. Addressing common challenges and considerations
8. Q&A and Discussion
   1. Participant questions and discussions

Sharing experiences and insights