HVAC Support Training
Proper mechanical system sizing is key to its efficiency—and it takes a trained expert to get it right.
In addition to conducting home energy audits and offering expert guidance, qualified Energy Advisors (EAs) are trained to provide diagnostic testing and calculations that support the proper sizing of mechanical systems. These services can be performed during a home evaluation and provide essential data that contractors use to determine the right equipment size based on the specific characteristics of the home and its duct system.
This includes calculating the appropriate heating and cooling loads to ensure the equipment delivers optimal comfort and energy efficiency, as well as assessing duct capacity to verify adequate airflow throughout the home. The result: a more comfortable, efficient, and reliable home for the homeowner.
CACEA offers industry-recognized training for these advanced services, including:
You can find qualified practitioners through our member directory below.
Qualified EAs
Training
Proper mechanical system sizing is key to its efficiency—and it takes a trained expert to get it right.
The CSA F280-12 is a Canadian standard used to calculate heat loss and heat gain in residential buildings, ensuring that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are properly sized for efficiency and comfort. This calculation is increasingly required by incentive programs across Canada.
With recognized training, Energy Advisors (EAs) are well-positioned to offer this service to homeowners and contractors as part of their professional practice.
CACEA offers Whole House CSA F280 training, developed in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada. This training enables qualified EAs to perform accurate whole-house heat loss and gain calculations in the retrofit market using verified software that relies on data primarily collected during home energy evaluations.
See Events for the next scheduled F280 training program.
About the training
REAs and non-EA HOT2000 modellers will be able to perform precise whole-house heat loss and gain calculations in the retrofit market. By using verified software, EAs and other HOT2000 modelers can size heating and cooling equipment primarily based on data collected during home energy evaluations, with minimal additional F280-compliant information as needed.
Upon completing this course, you will be able to offer this service to homeowners and contractors, providing essential calculations that HVAC professionals can use to size heat pumps accurately.
Please note: This course does not cover air distribution design and does not enable EAs or other HOT2000 modelers to select specific heat pumps or make direct sizing recommendations.
This course, developed in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, guides participants through the CSA F280 whole-house heat loss and gain calculation process to gain practical knowledge and skills to deliver data-driven calculations that HVAC professionals can reference for heat pump sizing and expand the value you bring to the retrofit market.
Participants will:
- Understand the importance of heat loss and gain calculations for existing housing.
- Learn key definitions and concepts critical to heat loss and gain calculations.
- Grasp the principles and content of whole-house heat loss and gain calculations.
- Identify the similarities and differences between HOT2000 energy simulation data and CSA F280 calculations.
- Gain familiarity with verified software that integrates HOT2000 inputs through hands-on case studies.
Successful candidates receive a Certificate of Qualification and are listed on the CACEA website.
Additional Sources for Qualified F280 Professionals
When selecting mechanical equipment such as a heat pump, it is best practice to assess the airflow characteristics of existing ductwork systems—in addition to calculating heat loss and heat gain. This simple yet valuable test can be conducted by a qualified Energy Advisor (EA) as part of a home energy audit and typically takes just 20–30 minutes to complete.
The test involves drilling 2–3 small, sealable holes in the ductwork near the furnace while the system is operating. A probe is inserted into the primary duct to measure airflow, providing essential data for ensuring equipment is properly matched to the home’s distribution system.
With specialized training, EAs are ideally positioned to offer this diagnostic service to both homeowners and contractors as part of their professional energy assessment practice.
About the Training
CACEA, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, offers Air Flow Duct Testing Training to equip EAs with the skills and knowledge to accurately assess duct airflow during home evaluations.
This course enables Registered Energy Advisors (REAs) to:
- Conduct duct airflow tests using TrueFlow equipment
- Understand airflow principles in ducted HVAC systems
- Identify and record key airflow data points
- Provide HVAC professionals with critical information to accurately size heat pumps
Please note: This course does not authorize EAs to select specific heat pumps or make direct equipment sizing recommendations.
The following people have taken the training. Names in bold are current CACEA members.