From Blueprints to Residential Energy Code Compliance

Description

Practical Education from the Experts

Offered in partnership with Florida Solar Energy Center

The web-based version of the From Blueprints to Residential Code Compliance course provides an overview of current Residential Florida Energy Code compliance methods and detailed instruction on how to perform blueprint "take-offs" to gather the information required for energy code compliance calculations. Students learn about the individual take-off sheet entries and use an on-screen architect's scale to make actual measurements on a virtual plan set and enter the measurements on a take-off sheet.

Instructors

Researchers at UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center have more than 30 years building science experience leading to zero energy homes.

Tei Kucharski
Energy Gauge Program Coordinator
Tei Kucharski joined the staff of the Florida Solar Energy Center as the program coordinator for the Florida Energy Gauge in March of 1998. Her tasks include marketing Energy Gauge® software to consumers, builders, real estate professionals and mechanical systems professionals, the training of new raters, educating diversified groups about the rating system, software technical support and maintaining the ratings database. In addition, she has also conducted workshops and performed technical support for the Department of Community Affairs in Florida dealing with both residential and commercial energy code to building officials, HVAC contractors, and builders. Ms. Kucharski has more than 20 years experience in preparing residential and commercial energy calculations for builders. She is a Certified Class I Energy Rater in the State of Florida and a certified residential building contractor, inactive. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Coalition, a non-profit affordable housing advocate.

Robin K. Vieira
Buildings Research Division Director
Mr. Vieira has over 18 years of experience in hot, humid climate research. He has been the principal investigator for over 2 million dollars of contracts and grants from industry, foundations and state and federal agencies. He has led research efforts in residential auditing and field evaluation work, survey and statistical work, and computer simulation and analysis work. Rob has presented over 40 workshops and seminars on sustainable development and energy-efficient construction to developers, builders, designers and others in the energy & environmental & development fields. He has written papers for diverse audiences, e.g., Transportation Quarterly, Florida Planning, and ASHRAE Transactions, and was the primary author of one book, Energy-Efficient Florida Home Buildings. Rob leads FSEC's involvement in providing technical support to Southeastern builders for EPA's Energy Star Homes Program and has directed the work on the cost-benefit optimization, improvement analysis and system sizing features of the State of Florida's residential code and rating software (EnergyGauge®). Mr. Vieira has a B.A. in Physics, an M.S. in Applied Solar Energy and an MBA.

Jeff Sonne
Research Engineer
Mr. Sonne has over 24 years of experience conducting building energy efficiency research at FSEC. Recent activities include heading a residential ventilation effectiveness and failure rate Code study and a residential airtightness and ventilation literature review. Other projects he has led include a statewide Florida Energy Code compliance training project, a monitored residential air conditioner sizing study and a green roof demonstration project. He has also served on two Florida Building Commission efficiency sub-committees. His teaching and speaking experience includes topics such as building science, building performance testing, energy modeling and the residential Florida Energy Code. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts Engineering from Wheaton College.