Minnesota Energy Efficiency and Ethics 24 PDH Discount Package 1

This online engineering PDH course provides Licensed Professionals (LPs) with step-by-step instructions on how to correctly verify the reported data of applications and assess indoor environmental quality of U.S. buildings.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Through ENERGY STAR®, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with owners and managers of our nation’s commercial buildings to help them strategically manage their facilities’ energy performance, cut energy use, lower utility bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

More than a dozen types of commercial buildings can earn EPA’s mark of superior energy efficiency – the ENERGY STAR, which is recognized by 90% of American consumers. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR must perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide compared to similar buildings, and their performance must be verified by a licensed professional.

The role of the LP is to verify that all energy use is accounted for accurately, the building characteristics have been properly reported, and indoor environmental quality has not been compromised in pursuit of energy conservation. By verifying the completeness and correctness of the application submitted to the EPA, the LP helps to ensure the integrity of the ENERGY STAR certification.

This online engineering PDH course provides an overview of the different types of renewable energy systems and their benefits.

Renewable energy is energy produced from sources like the sun and wind that are naturally replenished and do not run out. It can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation. Non-renewable energy, in contrast, comes from finite sources that could get used up, such as fossil fuels like coal and oil. The advantages of renewable energy are numerous and affect the economy, environment, national security, and human health. The United States is a resource-rich country with abundant renewable energy resources. Renewable energy generates about 20% of all U.S. electricity, and that percentage continues to grow.

This online engineering PDH course provides basic information on wireless occupancy for lighting controls.

Lighting use constitutes about 20% of the total energy consumption in commercial buildings. Adding lighting controls is a simple retrofit option than can save on energy costs while helping to meet agency and federal energy savings mandates. Some energy codes and federal standards require the use of lighting controls.

Studies have shown that adding lighting controls can reduce lighting energy use 10% to 90% or more depending on the use of the space in which the sensors are installed. One study conducted on a university campus found that installing wired occupancy sensors to control lighting in more than 200 rooms in 10 buildings provided an annual cost savings of about $14,000 with a simple payback of 4.2 years.

This online engineering PDH course presents guidelines on how to reduce mechanical system water use in residential buildings. Mechanical systems are frequently utilized to provide heating and cooling for residential properties. They typically fall into two categories: centralized and decentralized systems.

Centralized mechanical systems provide heating and cooling from a central location, such as a mechanical room or utility penthouse. These systems are more common in mid- and high-rise multifamily properties and can include cooling towers, boilers, and steam systems, each of which uses water as the heat transfer medium. As a result, the use of water for building heating and cooling can be significant and using sound management practices is a good opportunity for water savings.

Decentralized mechanical systems treat each unit of a multifamily property as its own space, as if each unit were a stand-alone single-family residence. These systems do not typically use process water, so they are not the focus of this water efficiency management guide.

This online engineering PDH course presents a novel building assembly called the Solid Panel Structure (SPS), which utilizes large format (8’x24’), oriented strand board (OSB) panels to create a wall structure that comprises of high-performance moisture and thermal control layers.

The SPS is an innovative interpretation of the “perfect wall” concept, in which environmental control layers are located on the exterior side of the structural components, as opposed to traditional cavity insulated, stud-framed walls. The primary objective of this course is to validate the SPS technology in terms of its constructability, cost, and performance.

This online engineering PDH course provides insight on how to estimate the positive environmental effects of green roof installations in cities. This is accomplished by providing a brief introduction to the basic concepts and definitions relating to urban environmental pollution, followed by a case study of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

A green roof—also called a vegetated roof or eco-roof—is a roof with soil and plants placed on top of a conventional roof. Green roofs are growing in popularity, as they have proven to be a cost-effective strategy for creating more livable and sustainable cities. Integrating nature-based solutions like green roofs into the urban landscape has several benefits to the environment, public health, and society.

This online engineering PDH course provides basic information about small wind electric systems to help you decide if wind energy will work for you.

Wind is created by the unequal heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical power that runs a generator to produce clean electricity.

Can I use wind energy to power my home? More people across the country are asking this question as they look for a hedge against increasing electricity rates and a way to harvest their local wind resources. Although wind turbines large enough to provide a significant portion of the electricity needed by the average U.S. home generally require 1 acre of property or more, approximately 19.3% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas and may own land parcels large enough to accommodate a wind energy system.

This 3 PDH online course is applicable to electrical and mechanical engineers and energy professionals who are interested in learning more about small wind electric systems.

This online engineering PDH course presents the laws and rules of ethics and professional responsibility governing the practice of engineering in the State of Minnesota. Excerpts from Chapter 326 of the Minnesota Statutes and Chapter 1805 of the Minnesota Administrative Rules, which relate to the laws and rules of professional conduct are presented in this course.

Engineering ethics is (1) the study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations involved in engineering and (2) the study of related questions about moral conduct, character, ideals and relationships of peoples and organizations involved in technological development (Martin and Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering).

Since engineers are faced with frequent moral and ethical dilemmas while practicing their engineering profession, this course will provide you with moral and ethical guidance in your decision making process. Most importantly, it will provide you with insight on how to conduct, respect and protect your engineering practice with the utmost professionalism.