Progressive Insulation & Windows Relocates Progressive Learning Center

Progressive, seeing the value of education in the construction/retrofit industry, invests in a new learning center for the training of employees, partners and customers. The inaugural event featured Energy Upgrade CA training for contractors. The ongoing need for training is being driven by energy conservation changes in the California Energy Commission, the Public Utility Commission and the California state building code.

Chatsworth, CA (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

The first event held in the training center was a class from Energy Upgrade CA program, where attendees were able to benefit from Progressives interest in educating both the consumer and the contractor. A clear understanding of the issues of whole house performance is vital to accomplishing the goals of energy efficiency.

The old rule-of-thumb school of building a house is no longer an acceptable model for construction or remodeling, said Steve Anderson, President of Progressive. "Progressive's new Learning Center is an outstanding contribution to the educational process," he concluded.

Progressive has maintained an active training program in conjunction with the Progressive Learning Center for the past 10 years. With a steady stream of advancement in the field of whole house performance, it is not only necessary to educate employees and contractors, but homeowners as well.

Anderson is quick to point out that the tenets of building science have become a part of the California Building Code, which dictate the standard for new houses. By extension, the retrofit business has the daunting task of helping thousands of homeowners in older homes, built prior to the growth in building science, to see the financial and comfort benefits of increasing the energy efficiency of their homes even though at this point they are not required by the code to do so. Retrofit business focuses on bringing older homes up to code so that they perform with energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is an intangible product, unlike beautiful new windows which the casual observer driving down the street can see. Energy efficiency is hidden in the walls, the attic and the crawl space of every home. Dirty old insulation that is compressed or simply missing, contributes to high utility bills and the shortened life of HVAC systems. But it takes some training to clarify the connection between high utility bills and missing insulation, as obvious as that may seem. In addition to the aspects of comfort and savings on utility bills, there is the issue of bad air quality inside the home, a growing concern among doctors dealing with allergies and asthmatic conditions. All of these combine to demonstrate the need for an active training program and the presence of Progressives Learning Center.

The Environmental Protection Agency notes Californias new standards that mandate that all new construction reduce energy use by 15 percent, water use by 20 percent, and water for landscaping by 50 percent. The energy savings in the new standards will come from a combination of more efficient appliances, better insulation, and more efficient windows. The code also identifies a number of improvements to air quality. The new language allows localities to adopt tougher standards.

The green building code changes became mandatory in 2010. On April 23, 2008, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved dozens of changes to the state's building energy efficiency standards for new construction, commonly known as Title 24. On October 19, 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a target that all homes built in California after 2020 be energy neutral. This goal will be achieved through advanced insulation systems as the initial step.

About Energy Upgrade California

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Progressive Insulation & Windows Relocates Progressive Learning Center