PTCS Program Newsletter: April 2020ReturnToTop
In this issue:
Covid-19
Safe Home Visits  SafeHomeVisits
Keep yourself and your customers safe. Please keep informed and practice safe work techniques by staying updated on local and regional guidance.


New Heat Pump Sizing CalculatorsNewHeatPumpSizing
The BPA sizing calculator is being updated to provide a graph of the balance point and inputs for variable speed heat pump capacities. The updated calculator will be available at the following link by the end of the month. This calculator will utilize basic user inputs to estimate heat loss from the house and calculate if your selected heat pump meets the PTCS-required 30-degree balance point.

In addition, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance recently released a free HVAC online sizing calculator. The HVAC Sizing Tool uses the previous SpecPro platform with additional enhancements to determine heat loss, heat gain, and calculate the appropriate system size.  Go to  hvac.betterbuiltnw.com  to create an account and start using the tool.
Training Updates

Live webinar PTCS annual continuing education classes
will be available next week for:
  • Duct Sealing on Tuesday, April 28th from 9:00 - 10:30
  • Heat Pump on Wednesday, April 29th from 10:30 - 12:00
The classes will review heat pump and duct 
sealing  best  practices, commonly failed items, and program  updates. These are not required to participate, but are a resource for students to keep up-to-date on the program and are strongly encouraged. Please click on the links below to register  for classes.
Virtual PTCS Certification Trainings Now Available RemoteCertification

To respond to current health and safety concerns regarding Covid-19, the PTCS team developed live virtual PTCS Certification Trainings to avoid in-person contact. The field-training portion will be completed following the virtual training for each technician through two-way video chats. This process has allowed us to provide safer trainings, potentially minimize technician travel, and accommodate more technicians from around the region. These Certification Trainings have historically been hosted by utilities in person and they will become available again when it is safe to do so. Benton Rural Electric Association and Cowlitz PUD successfully hosted the first virtual PTCS air source heat pump and duct sealing certification classes in the past few weeks. 
PTCS Alternative CertificationsPTCSAlternativeCert
Experienced HVAC technicians who are not already PTCS certified but have other industry certifications may qualify to become PTCS heat pump and/or duct sealing certified through self-directed study. See the Technician Requirements section of this document  to see if you meet the criteria. Online self-guided classes are available for technicians with alternative certifications or prior experience. Technicians will be required to show proof of previous certification, communicate understanding of program requirements, and proper equipment commissioning to a PTCS trainer. 
 
Click here  for additional information on technician certification requirements or contact us at 1.800.941.3867 or   ResHVAC@bpa.gov  for more information.

Are You Interested in Becoming a PTCS Trainer?AreYouInterested

Do you have prior PTCS experience, an exceptional proven work quality record and the ability to educate other technicians to become certified in PTCS? If so join us as a PTCS trainer. Check the PTCS trainer requirements here .
 
Contact us at 1.800.941.3867 or   ResHVAC@bpa.gov  for more information.
Basements: Conditioned or Unconditioned Space? The Discussion Continues... Basements
PTCS duct sealing savings come from sealing ducts that leak outside of the conditioned space of the house. To be eligible for duct sealing, at least 30% of ducts must be located outside the conditioned space of the house. While duct sealing leaks in basements may improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality, they do not provide cost-effective levels of energy savings. In general, basements are considered inside the conditioned space of the house. To be considered outside the house they must meet these three conditions:
  1. No supply or return registers or grilles in the basement.
  2. The basement is not an actively lived in space or conditioned by other forms heat.
  3. The ceiling of the basement is insulated.
If all three of these qualifications are not met, the basement is considered inside the conditioned space of the house.

When testing the system, if the basement is considered inside the conditioned space, any doors between the basement and the main body of the house should be opened during testing. If deemed outside the house, any such doors should be closed.
Questions
Do you have questions about the Online Registry, testing, upcoming trainings or the program in general? We're here to help. Reach out to 1.800.941.3867 or  ResHVAC@bpa.gov . For more information, consult our Program Homepage .


Bonneville Power Administration | 1.800.941.3867 |   ResHVAC@bpa.gov | bpa.gov/goto/reshvac