National Sustainable Structures Center

NSSC at Penn College is a nationally-recognized U.S. DOE legacy training center and BPI Test Center that provides technical expertise instruction to home energy professionals, building operators, government officials, utility companies, and other industry partners in the building performance field. Since 1985, NSSC has taught more than 18,000 students in building science standards and energy efficient retrofit techniques. With an established curriculum, NSSC offers over 30 courses and workshops that include a combination of classroom learning, distance learning, online courses, and hands-on application that can be taught in our world-class training lab facility or in-field.

Features

Program Areas

• Building Operator Certification (BOC)
• Commercial Building Re-tuning (BRT)
• Home Energy Professional (HEP) Certifications
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certifications
• EPA RRP Certified Lead Renovator & Refresher Certification
• OSHA 10 & 30 Construction Industry Certification

Capabilities

• Energy conservation training for any type of existing building
• Technical assistance for residential weatherization Quality Control Inspections
• Agricultural energy assessments
• Customized courses
• In-field or in-classroom training
• Distance learning and online courses
• BPI Test Center and BPI Proctor Mentoring
• Train-the-Trainer for other building science instructors

Facilities

NSSC facilities include...

• A 16,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art instructional space
• Four dedicated, multimedia-equipped classrooms with SmartBoards, plus a class-instruction area with wireless capability in each of the two hand-on training labs
• A Tactics Lab featuring a six-unit demonstration structure, six workstations, fully equipped blower units for installing cellulose insulation, and storage space
• A Diagnostics and Energy Conservation Lab that allows for multiple training events and testing featuring two demonstration and test houses with blower-door testing equipment and a six-unit structure for single- and multi-family scenarios
• A heating appliance training area (10 functioning heating units)
• A base load and heat pump display/demonstration area
• A “house of pressure” balloon-framed module where pressure diagnostic procedures are demonstrated
• A mobile unit for the purpose of in-field training at remote locations
• Office space for instructors, visiting instructors, and support staff