Not a week goes by that we don’t receive word on new green training for the plumbing and heating industry. The week we finished a cover story on green building this summer, we received a press release on a “classroom” that was a little out of the ordinary.

The HVAC Mobile Green Classroom is currently on tour around the country, including a stop at ISH North America at Booth 1961

The classroom, essentially a tractor trailer, allows visitors a first-hand look at the many ways a building can become more energy efficient, use fewer natural resources and have minimal impact on the environment. The 40-foot trailer features green trainers and simulators that offer hands-on training and information on energy-efficient systems and techniques.

• The fuel cell trainer allows users to create a grid-independent power supply that uses only hydrogen as fuel.
  
  
• The wind power generator provides users with basic understanding of how wind generators function as an alternate source of energy.
  
  
• The solar-heating trainer is an actual solar hot water heating system with an adjustable collector panel.
  
  
• The solar photovoltaic trainer demonstrates a practical alternative to electric power in remote locations.
  
  
• The grey water trainer demonstrates the process of using grey water in toilet-flushing systems.
  
  
• The anaerobic digester trainer demonstrates the anaerobic treatment process, which involves bacteria which function only in the absence of air.
  
  
• The infiltration demonstrator investigates the infiltration rates of different soil types and surface treatments.
  
  
• The geothermal trainer allows users to conduct tests and adjustments on a geothermal heat pump.
  
  
• The aerobic digester facilitates study of biological waste treatment processes.
  
  
• The heat pump trainer is designed for use with a variety of furnaces, air handlers and evaporator coil combinations.

The trailer’s displays are also designed to work in conjunction with the Mechanical Contractor Association of America’s LEED AP training programs and the United Association/Mechanical Service Contractors of America’s Green Awareness Training and Certification Program.

The trailer is the work of the Partnership for Environmental Leadership, a collaborative effort of the MCAA, UA, MSCA, as well as the Plumbing Contractors of America, U.S. Green Building Council, and Green Mechanical Council. Through its “Building a Greener Tomorrow” campaign, the Partnership is providing training and education programs to raise awareness about cutting-edge technologies being used within the HVAC industry.

Here are the dates and cities you can view the trailer for the rest of this year.

• Oct. 12-15, Mechanical Service Contractors of America Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
• Nov. 12-14, Plumbing Contractors of America Conference, Houston, Texas
• Nov. 19-21, U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Boston
• Dec. 4-6, Association for Career and Technical Education Convention and Career Tech Expo, Charlotte, N.C.
• Dec. 8-11, Ecobuild Fall, Washington, D.C.

For more information, log on to www.hvacgreen.net.