Building Controls Technician (BCT)

Beginning in fall 2013

The BCT sector is currently showing a deficiency of individuals who not only understand energy use within commercial buildings but who can also implement control changes to energy using systems. A large portion of new buildings and/or LEED certified buildings utilize advanced building control systems (BAS) to optimize efficient building performance and operations. These systems can be very complex and often are setup with manufactures default settings that aren't utilized and or applicable to an individual building. Commissioning is a vital part of verifying if a building is operating as it was designed to be but building controls technicians who understand energy and water usage can often make small adjustments to the systems to achieve even greater efficiency.

Additional Courses
(subject to change)

The first year of classes will be shared with the core Energy Management courses with one slight modification: The addition of a computer class (CS 133P). Additional courses have been recommended by our industry advisory committee. They are all 4 credit classes.

• NRG 181 : Direct Digital Controls 1 

  This course provides hands-on training with using control system management software.  Students will learn to configure alarms and user access, trend control points, generate reports, and adjust control loops.  They will gain experience with a functioning control system in an actual building.  Dashboard and metering systems will also be covered, with an emphasis on future smart grid functionality

• NRG 182 Commercial HVAC Controls 

  Students will gain functional knowledge of a variety of commercial HVAC systems from a controls perspective, ranging from older pneumatically controlled systems to newer digitally controlled systems.  Students will identify and describe mechanical room systems including control systems with emphasis on comparing the benefits of one system versus another.  Students will identify retrofit opportunities and other energy conservation measures

• NRG 183 : Controls Retuning and Troubleshooting

  This course focuses on diagnostics and troubleshooting of existing building control systems.  Using building occupant comfort complaints or other alerts, students determine possible causes, use trend logging and visual inspection of equipment, and determine problem solutions, including changing set points, modifying control loops, retuning control loops or scheduling maintenance. 

• NRG 184 Direct Digital Controls 2 

  Students receive hands-on training with modules and electronics used to implement building automation.  Control loop logic, schematics, and sequences of operation will be studied and then applied to implement a desired system behavior.  Students learn the process of controls design, implementation, and commissioning using industry software and equipment.

• NRG 185 - Lighting Controls

Ready to get started?

Download Energy Program(s) Admission Form