Course Descriptions
AKWarm for Building Energy Design and Analysis
This four-hour hands-on computer class teaches builders, home designers and assessors how to use the AKWarm software for determining a building's thermal energy requirements. The program is also able to show compliance with Alaska's Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES). AKWarm compares the energy use of building components so that the user can identify cost-effective measures. A free copy of the software is included. 4 CEUs
BEES Ventilation Certification
The purpose of this education is to understand how to comply with the ventilation portion of the Building Energy Efficiency Standard. Prerequisites are a residential endorsement, proof of having taken Cold Climate Home Building or its equivalent. Students must receive a 70% or greater on the test in order to gain certification. This education is necessary to sign the certification form PUR 101. Certification numbers do not come from ABSN but from AHFC. ABSN provides all necessary information to AHFC to process the applicants. 8 CEUs
Boiler Maintenance Workshop
This Workshop will cover the 5 major areas of a typical hot water boiler operation, including heat transfer, fuel handling, air handling, ignition, and controls. You will learn basic trouble shooting techniques, annual maintenance and parts ordering. 16 CEUs
Blower Door Certification
This certification course is a continuation of the Introduction to Airtightness Testing workshop and is designed to provide sufficient student exposure necessary for testing a building's airtightness using the blower door. Participants completing this course and satisfying the test requirements receive a certificate of ability for performing airtightness testing according to the most current Alaska Housing Finance Corporation energy rating protocols. This demanding course is only recommended for individuals having completed previous training in building science fundamentals. Prerequisites:Introduction to Airtightness Testing and Cold Climate Homebuilding or Weatherization Technician 1. 14 CEUs
Caulking the Weathertight Building Envelope
This short 1 hour classes identifies proper caulking selection and usage. This course is 1 hour and is approved for 1 CEU
Closing the Sale With Energy - A Realtor's Guide to AKWarm
This 2 hour course offers real estate professionals a guide for making the best use of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's AKWarm energy ratings and reports when marketing and selling homes. Upon completion, participants will be have the tools to better recognize and use energy features to sell homes. They will understand, and be able to communicate to clients, not only how energy efficient a particular home is, but also what that means in terms of a host of financing options available to the buyer. This class will focus on the unique features of the AKWarm outputs - the Energy Rating and the Improvement Options reports. These reports are generated by AHFC-approved energy raters during the rating process and will be valuable tools to real estate professionals who know how to use them. This 2 hour class earns 2 CEUs through the Alaska Real Estate Commission.
Cold Climate Homebuilding
This two-day workshop is for contractors wishing to secure their contractor license residential endorsment as well as for owners, builders, and others interested in resdential construction. This course supplies the fundamental building science education necessary to enable contractors to understand the details of successful energy efficient buildings. Each workshop is tailored to consider local climate demands in the application of appropriate construction techniques. Students will learn how construction practices suitable for Ketchikan may not be best in Nome or Barrow. Current efficient construction news and research items are presented at the end of each workshop. 16 CEUs
Introduction to Air Tightness Testing
This is a one-day introduction to different methods of quantifying building air leakage with emphasis on the use, accuracy, and versatility of the blower door test method. A brief hands-on field example is provided in the afternoon session with each participant being offered the opportunity to install and operate a blower door in a properly configured building. This workshop is a pre-requisite to the Blower Door Certification Workshop. 8 CEUs
Maritime Building Considerations
This course presents design, construction details and practical strategies to control rain penetration into and through building surfaces. 2 CEUs
Passive Ventilation
This course explores the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing natural ventilation strategies. Presents techniques and design solutions for natural ventilation and shows how natural ventilation is a price competetive solution. 2 CEUs
Solutions for Preventing Moisture Scares
This course helps residential contractors identify symptoms of problems caused by a misunderstanding of building science issues, specifically issues of heat, air and moisture. 2 CEUs
The Anatomy of a Cold Weather Window
The building designer and contractor are made aware of all aspects of cold weather windows, allowing them to become competent to select, install, and maintain windows for inclement conditions. 8.5 CEUs
The Hows and Whys of Building Diagnostics
This course identifies the purpose of building diagnostics and showcases diagnostic tools and procedures. 2 CEUs
Vinyl Windows in the Arctic
This short course presents the use of vinyl windows in Arctic areas. 1.5 CEUs
Weatherization Technician I Training
This course is designed to meet the training needs for new employees involved in weatherization of existing buildings. Covering building testing and evaluating methods with emphasis on the mechanisms of retrofit. The student is presented with an appropriate overview of weatherization and the industry standards. 12 CEUs
Weatherization Technician II Training
This course targets weatherization assessors and evaluators. It is meant to supplement our Level 1 course with further training into advanced testing methods, such as infrared scanning and selecting the right forms for the job. Properties of specific caulks, sealants, fasteners, and insulation types are covered with additional information on how to ensure against under-ventilating any weatherization project. Interior and exterior weatherization applications and foundation retrofits are also presented. 13 CEUs
With ABSN's experienced Alaskan instructors, we can accomodate pretty much any type of Building Science Course request. If need be, ABSN can bring national or international experts in various building fields to come to Alaska and share their expertise. Below is the full list of ABSN courses certified by the State of Alaska as qualifying for Residential Contractor Continuing Education Units (CEU's). Most of these courses can also qualify for Architect Continuing Education and some courses can be made to be certified for Real Estate Agent or Mechanical Contractor Continuing Education.
| ADVANCED FRAMING TECHNIQUES | ||
| AK WARM ENERGY USE SOFTWARE-AN INTRODUCTION FOR BUILDERS | ||
| AK WARM: USING AK WARM FOR BUILDING ENERGY DESIGN & ANALYSIS | ||
| AKWARM BASICS 101 | ||
| ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN ALASKA | ||
| ANATOMY OF A COLD WEATHER WINDOW: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| ANATOMY OF A COLD WEATHER WINDOW: 8 HOUR VERSION | ||
| APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS & COMMUNITIES | ||
| BEES CERTIFICATION 2008 | ||
| BEES-ALASKA BUILDING & ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARD | ||
| BLOWER DOOR AS A TOOL IN HOUSE DIAGNOSTICS 1: INTRODUCTION TO BLOWER DOORS | ||
| BLOWER DOOR AS A TOOL IN HOUSE DIAGNOSTICS 2: BLOWER DOOR TESTING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP | ||
| BLUEPRINT READING BASICS | ||
| BOILER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR | ||
| BREATHING IN BUILDINGS: 3 HOUR VERSION | ||
| BREATHING IN BULDINGS: 4 HOUR VERSION | ||
| BUILD AMERICA PROGRAM: HELP FOR BUILDERS | ||
| BUILDING AMERICA IN ALASKA/PERSIST, REMOTE AND OIT | ||
| BUILDING ON THE EDGE: BETTER BUILDING THROUGH COMMON SENSE | ||
| BUILDING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE NORTH | ||
| BUILDING SCIENCE FOR DUMMIES | ||
| BUILDING THE P.E.R.S.I.S.T. HOUSE | ||
| CAULKING THE WEATHERTIGHT BUILDING ENVELOPE | ||
| CHANGES TO IRC FOR 2006 | ||
| CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON SHELTER & INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH | ||
| CO-ARE YOU ALARMED: 1 HOUR VERSION | ||
| CO-ARE YOU ALARMED: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| COLD CLIMATE HOMEBUILDING: CONTRACTOR RESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT WORKSHOP | ||
| COLD CLIMATE HOMEBUILDING: FOUNDATIONS | ||
| COLD CLIMATE HOMEBUILDING: MAKING HOUSES WORK | ||
| COLD CLIMATE HOMEBUILDING: ROOFS | ||
| COLD CLIMATE HOMEBUILDING: WALLS | ||
| COMPLYING WITH VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS OF BEES | ||
| CONSTRUCTION PLANNING & MANAGEMENT: RURAL FOCUS | ||
| CONSTRUCTION PLANNING & MANAGEMENT: URBAN FOCUS | ||
| ENERGY PROGRAMS IN ALASKA | ||
| ENERGY RETROFIT OF AN EXISTING HOME | ||
| ENERGY, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE | ||
| EXTERIOR VENTILATED CLADDING | ||
| FLASHING/INDOOR AIR QUALITY | ||
| FLASHING: THE NAKED TRUTH | ||
| FOUNDATIONS AND CRAWL SPACE VENTILATION | ||
| GETTING TO ZERO ENERGY IN ALASKA HOMES | ||
| GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS - IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | ||
| HAND & POWER TOOL SAFETY | ||
| HEALTH HOUSE 1: THE HEALTH HOUSE ADVANTAGE | ||
| HEALTH HOUSE 2: BUILDING THE HEALTH HOUSE | ||
| HEALTHY AIR: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE AIR YOUR BREATHE | ||
| HEATING AND VENTILATION BEST PRACTICES | ||
| HEATING SYSTEM DESIGN DETAILS | ||
| HEATING SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES: 1 HOUR VERSION | ||
| HEATING SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| IAQ - PARKING YOUR CAR IN THE LIVING ROOM | ||
| ICE DAMS & ICICLES = HEAT LOSS | ||
| INTEGRATION OF IDEAS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE RESEARCH AGENDA | ||
| INTRO TO SOLAR THERMAL THEORY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GREEN BUILDING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GREEN BUILDING - 4 HOUR VERSION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO RADIANT HEATING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR ENERGY DESIGN | ||
| IS YOUR GARAGE MAKING YOU SICK: HOUSE-GARAGE CONNECTION | ||
| LOG HOMEBUILDING DESIGN AND TECHNIQUES: 16 HOUR VERSION | ||
| LOG HOMEBUILDING DESIGN AND TECHNIQUES: 6 HOUR VERSION | ||
| LOG HOMEBUILDING DESIGN AND TECHNIQUES: 8 HOUR VERSION | ||
| MARITIME BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS: 1 HOUR VERSION | ||
| MARITIME BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| MOLD & MOISTURE IN THE HEALTY HOUSE | ||
| MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM SINGLE FAMILY HOMES | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION & LOT DESIGN, PREPARATION & DEVELOPMENT | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 2: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 3A: ENERGY EFFCIENCY 1 | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 3B: ENERGY EFFCIENCY 2 | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 4: WATER EFFICIENCY | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 5: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 6: OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND HOMEOWNER EDUCATION | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 7: GLOBAL IMPACT | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDE SECTION 8: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDLINES SECTION 2: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY | ||
| NAHB GREEN BUILDING GUIDLINES SECTION 2: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY | ||
| NAHB MODEL GREEN HOMEBUILDING GUIDLINES: BUILDING GREEN IN ALASKA | ||
| NO BIRDS JUST BEES | ||
| OF MOLD, MOISTURE, & OTHER THINGS | ||
| PASSIVE VENTILATION | ||
| PEAK OIL -RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ROAD TO PEAK OIL | ||
| PREVENTING & SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS IN HOMES | ||
| PROPOSED CHANGES TO BEES | ||
| RADON CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR NEW & EXISTING HOMES | ||
| RATING A LOG HOME | ||
| REMOTE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES | ||
| SOLUTIONS TO PREVENTING MOISTURE SCARES | ||
| STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANEL SYSTEMS (SIPS): PREVENTING FAILURES | ||
| SUCCESSFUL BUILDING ENVELOPES: 1 HOUR OVERVIEW | ||
| SUCCESSFUL BUILDING ENVELOPES: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| SUMMER SYMPOSIUM 2007 | ||
| SUSTAINABLE & APPROPRIATE SHELTER ISSUES FOR FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES | ||
| THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GREEN BUILDING DEVELOPMENT | ||
| THE EFFECT ENERGY HAS ON BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION | ||
| THE HOWS & WHYS OF BUILDING DIAGNOSTICS | ||
| THE NATURAL STEP: HOW CITIES & TOWNS CAN CHANGE TO SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES | ||
| THE NATURE OF WOOD: 1 HOUR VERSION | ||
| THE NATURE OF WOOD: 2 HOUR VERSION | ||
| THE NEW STATEOF THE ART CCHRC RESEARCH & TESTING FACILITY | ||
| TRUSSES | ||
| VENTILATION STRATEGIES FOR EXISTING HOMES | ||
| VENTILATION STRATEGIES FOR NEW HOMES | ||
| VENTILATION SYSTEM DESIGN & INSTALLATION | ||
| VENTILATION: UNDERSTANDING ASHRAE 62.2 | ||
| VINYL WINDOW IN THE ARCTIC | ||
| WATER, BUILDINGS, AND ARCHITECTS | ||
| WEATHERIZATION TECHNICIAN LEVEL 1 TRAINING | ||
| WEATHERIZATION TECHNICIAN LEVEL 2 TRAINING | ||
| WHAT'S NEW IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODES | ||
| WHERE HEALTH & HOUSING MEET | ||
| WINDOWS / INSULATION |