Reserve All Your Energy for a Career in Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency education at Santa Monica College provides fundamental training
in the energy services field designed to help you compete for job opportunities with
energy-related industries anywhere in the country. Step into an exciting career or
change careers by earning a department certificate in energy efficiency. Job roles
include energy efficiency auditor, home energy efficiency rater (HERS), energy benchmarking
professional, and building analyst.
Our curriculum introduces you to basic energy concepts, then moves quickly into real-world
training. You will learn the fascinating principles of heat transfer, for instance,
which make heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies possible.
This is just one of many more scientific principles that power the systems, technology,
and tools of the trade that are integral to the energy efficiency field.
Learn how to analyze electrical and gas systems in order to make cost-effective recommendations
for alternative energy production and storage methods; sustainable resource use; and
energy efficiency upgrades to residential and commercial properties, including alternative
energy sources, LED lighting, solar heating and advanced technology cooling, and more.
Students who complete the department certificate (PV11, EE1, EE2, EE3) qualify to
take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic
Installer Entry Level Exam.
Degrees and Certificates
Department Certificate - Energy Efficiency Specialist
13 units
This program is designed to provide formal training for individuals who seek entry
into the Energy Services field. Students will learn to conduct energy audits in residential
buildings; establish energy efficiency benchmarks for commercial buildings and data
center physical infrastructures; and help utilize resources more efficiently by reducing
lighting, and lowering heating and cooling energy consumption in building systems
and processes. Students will learn to provide analyses and recommendations that will
help suggest alternative energy sources, as well as unconventional lighting, cooling,
space heating, and resource management procedures.
