CEC How-To Videos Win Award

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) on-line series of training videos was awarded the “Best of Show” award by the US Department of Energy (DOE) at its national workshop for state building codes in Atlanta. 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 CEC had 108 training videos available on its consumer energy center website. The programs vary from one minute to 15 minutes in length. Topics range from the proper way to install insulation to recent developments in tank-less water heaters to how to add photovoltaic panels to a house to generate renewable energy.

“California has the most stringent energy efficiency building standards in the nation,” said CEC 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 CEC’s Consumer Energy Center website,” Pernell added.

The video series has been up and running for over a year and receives 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 stat building energy codes workshop, state energy offices in Texas, New York, Ohio and Michigan have expressed interest in working the CEC on videos that address their own individual building codes. The DOE is also considering expanding the series with additional funds, making it a national resource.

Consumer Energy Center How-To Videos (http://cec.ishow.com/)

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