Shifting demographics and technological advances are shaping continuing education in the HVAC industry.
07/06/2016
Making buildings more energy efficient is a high priority for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry, and more stringent regulations and new technology have propelled this effort in recent years. Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City and other areas are developing their own policies that require commercial buildings to benchmark and disclose energy ratings, as well as perform audits and retro-commissioning.
This movement toward more efficient buildings is only one factor affecting the training opportunities available to HVAC professionals. Continuing education is evolving based on trends, workforce demographics, credential requirements and the emergence of online training.
“The number of buildings designed by LEED-certified professionals is significantly increasing,” one regulatory affairs executive said, referring to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green-building designation. “LEED has almost become standard for new construction, and people want to learn more about alternative energy systems, like heat pumps, solar energy and ground-based heat, that can help save money and conserve energy.”
This is an example of trends that are helping to shape industry training opportunities, and many curriculums are focusing on educating professionals on the latest green technology.
For example, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers an Energy Savings Practices curriculum that provides information on reducing energy consumption and improving the overall energy efficiency of buildings.
As the emphasis on energy-efficient buildings continues to grow, the industry can expect to see the emergence of comparable training opportunities.