MANUALS AND TRAINING MATERIAL

Click on the links below to obtain manuals, training-related materials, and other documents pertinent to the Weatherization Assistant.

Computer-based Application
(NEAT and MHEA)

The Weatherization Assistant User’s Manual (Version 8.9) [Main body of report and Appendices] – A manual that documents the operation of the user interface for Version 8.9 of the computer-based Weatherization Assistant application energy audit software tool. Although the manual specifically addresses Version 8.9 of the software, it is relevant to earlier versions of the software because changes to the user interface have been relatively minor. The manual covers the administrative features of the software as well as the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) and Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA). The manual addresses how to install and setup the software, navigate through the program, and initiate an energy audit. All of the user interface forms associated with the software and the data fields on these forms are described in detail. The manual is intended to be a reference manual for experienced users of the software, although it could also be used as a training manual for new users.

Installation Instructions – Instructions for downloading and installing Version 8.9 of the computer-based Weatherization Assistant application.

Getting Started Guideline – A guidance document that describes how to initialize a new installation of Version 8.9 of the computer-based Weatherization Assistant application, create a new client, and start an energy audit for that client.

Web-based Training Tool – A free, web-based training tool that teaches how to use the computer-based Weatherization Assistant application. It is free to all users. The training tool covers all of the features of the computer-based application and duplicates the in-person training historically provided by ORNL to states and local weatherization agencies. The training tool is based on Version 8.6, but it is also applicable to Version 8.9 because few changes were made to the graphical user interface in this most recent version.

Update History – A listing that identifies the improvements made in recent versions of the computer-based Weatherization Assistant application.

The National Energy Audit (NEAT) Engineering Manual (Version 7) – An engineering manual that documents the algorithms and assumptions used by NEAT in performing its energy and economic calculations to arrive at its measure recommendations based on building characteristics and other information input by the user. This manual was published in September 2003 and thus does not include changes made in the engineering aspects of the software since that time.

Framework for Incorporating Social Cost of Carbon in Weatherization – This document provides a framework for incorporating [avoided] social cost of carbon (SCC) when calculating cost effectiveness of energy measures under the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The framework describes the relevant metrics, calculation methodology, and implementation approach that can be adopted by any energy audit software for use under the WAP.

Web-based Application
(NEAT/MHEA v10, MulTEA, and the Health and Safety Audit)

Web-based Weatherization Assistant Getting Started Guideline – A guideline that provides introductory information on how to start using the web-based Weatherization Assistant application and running the Multifamily Tool for Energy Audits (MulTEA) or the Health and Safety Audit.

Materials for Training Development – Train-the-Trainer (2023) Webinars – A set of three videos based upon the Train-the-Trainer sessions hosted in January and March 2023 that provide an introduction to the available Materials for Training Development focused on users moving from from WAv8 to WAv10. The materials are available to WAP Training Providers, Grantees, and others who support Weatherization Assistant users. Use “Contact Us” to gain access to the materials.

MulTEA Training Webinars – A set of three training webinars that provide an introduction to the use of the web-based Weatherization Assistant application and MulTEA. The webinars, PowerPoint slides used during the webinars, and a complete set of information on the Demonstration Building used in the webinars is provided below. A complete set of information on a second building that can be used for practice is also provided below.

Multifamily Building Energy Audit Technical Guidelines (to be released) – A set of guidelines intended to serve as a resource in determining how multifamily building energy audits should be performed and how they might be improved. The work that should be performed in each of the various audit process steps is discussed, and audit-related material specific to different elements of a building (e.g., the enclosure, heating and cooling systems, water heating, lighting) is presented.

MulTEA Engineering Manual – An engineering manual that documents the modeling concepts and procedures, algorithms, and assumptions used by MulTEA in performing its energy and economic calculations to arrive at its measure recommendations based on building characteristics and other information input by the user.

Health and Safety Audit Training Webinar – A training webinar recorded in two files (Recording A and Recording B) that provides an introduction to the use of the Health and Safety Audit.

Health and Safety Audit Design Manual – A manual that documents the overall design of the Health and Safety Audit, the detailed information entered on each of the audit’s data input forms, and the program logic used to generate the audit recommendations.