The California Energy Commission's on-line series
of training videos was awarded the "Best of Show"
award by the U.S. Department of Energy at its national
workshop for state building codes in Atlanta, Georgia.
The response to the series of how-to videos was so
positive that several other states and the federal
government are now considering doing the same thing,
with California's help.
As of July 2003, the California Energy Commission
has 108 training videos available on its consumer
energy center website at www.consumerenergycenter.org.
The programs vary from one minute to 15 minutes in
length. Topics range from the proper way to install
insulation to recent developments in tankless water
heaters to how to add photovoltaic panels to a house
to generate renewable electricity to reduce your energy
bills.
"California has the most stringent energy efficiency
building standards in the nation," said California
Energy Commissioner Robert Pernell. "That's
one of the major reasons that Californians use less
electricity on a per capita basis than other Americans.
But building standards can only be effective if contractors
know how to implement them properly and local building
officials understand how to enforce them. Our on-line
video library serves as both a training tool and an
easy-to-locate reference guide. By using the power
of the internet, we can provide massive amounts of
information in a fast, convenient, cost-effective
and user-friendly way."
While most of the videos are designed for those in
the building trades, lay people can understand them
as well. Additional segments airing on the site explain
new technology specifically to consumers. "The
videos are clear and easy to understand, making them
useful to the general public. They help homeowners
appreciate the energy-saving features built into their
new homes, and they illustrate new technologies that
can help cut the energy bills of those living in older
homes. They fit well with the other energy-saving
information available on the Commission's Consumer
Energy Center webiste," Pernell said.
The video series has been up and running on the Energy
Commission's website for over a year and receive
more than 4,000 plays each month. Produced with both
government funds and private sector money, the videos
are now available on DVD as well.
Since the enthusiastic response the series garnered
at the recent state building energy codes workshop,
state energy offices in Texas, New York, Ohio and
Michigan have all expressed interest in working with
the California Energy Commission on videos that address
their own individual building codes. The federal Department
of Energy is also considering expanding the series
with additional funds, making it a national resource.
Energy Videos from the Online Training Series can
be found at
www.consumerenergycenter.org
or at
www.energyvideos.com
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