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Training Options & BPI Credits

BPI Professionals who complete this test can earn 2 BPI Continuing Education Units. 

Watch short video clips, followed by one or more related questions to ensure your comprehension of the material in each video.

Feel free to watch the videos multiple times or review before you finalize your answers.

These shorter videos are taken from our longer comprehensive training video found here,  you can jump right in with the shorter videos in this training for your BPI credits. 

https://snuggpro.com/webinars/training-and-test

Remote Energy Audits in the Time of COVID-19

The following is a guest post by Chuck Ray, Business Development Consultant and Energy Analyst

People across the US are shying away from inviting energy specialists into their homes. Energy efficiency programs have paused  their in-home energy audits, and as the home performance industry looks for new ways to move forward, remote energy audits offer hope.
Distancing is likely to remain a permanent behavior change for the foreseeable future, and that means the home becomes a more tightly controlled sanctuary. Energy costs will be a top priority as occupation time remains high, and indoor air quality may enter the radar of homeowners for the first time.

How can we move forward with increasingly important home energy retrofits?
We do it in the same way that other industries are adapting — leveraging remote communication technologies and elevating direct support. After all, we’re a highly adaptable species and we become comfortable with new norms quite quickly.

There is an interesting opportunity in front of us, one that is immediately actionable. Most Americans sheltering at home have at least some free time on their hand and are often eager to stay productive around the house. These people represent a captive audience ripe for home improvement engagement and now is a great time to review the preplanned job list, reset those meetings, and have conversations on FaceTime, What’sApp, or Google Duo. If remote audits can be run effectively, the job pipeline can be maintained, and when stay at home orders start to lift, retrofits will continue.

Performing a remote audit on my own home
To test the viability of remote audits, and follow-on retrofit decisions by homeowners, I had a home audit performed on my home last week. To my pleasant surprise it went off without a hitch.

Above: Screenshot of the energy auditor's screen during our remote audit with Snugg Pro on the left and me on the right.

This was the energy auditor’s very first remote energy audit, and he too stated that the whole process was far easier than expected. Here is what we did:

Day 1
A phone call from the auditor to set a time for us to meet over video chat the next day.
An email follow-up containing the invite to the next day’s virtual meeting, a few questions and  a list of things to have on hand for the meeting
I logged into my utility account, sent over my annual usage, address, and gathered a ladder, headlamp, and tape measure.

Day 2
The next day we launched our meeting over video chat and discussed the sequence of steps.  The auditor would be collecting data and photos in Snugg Pro’s energy audit software while he walked me through my house:

We started the interview with the basics about the house and occupants, and of course he had everything mostly prefilled from the google map view.
We walked through the interior in less than a half hour, looking at lights, windows, attic, mechanical room, walls, and crawl space.
Along the way I pointed the phone where requested and he snapped pictures and dropped them right into the audit app.
The auditor said he’d wrap up and send a report, and we could discuss recommended energy measures and rebates.
Shortly thereafter I got an email with the Snugg Pro audit report, and we got back on the video chat to discuss.
I was actually surprised how easy and fast the whole process was. I had three conversations with the auditor total of an hour; and the auditor spent perhaps two and half hours end to end.

Programs: Making the shift from field visits to remote audits
Energy New England (ENE), has already revised their processes to make remote energy assessments a core part of their offerings in COVID-19 times. According to an article published by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the homeowner response has been overwhelmingly positive. John Tzimorangas, President and CEO of ENE told the APPA, “I believe we will be doing this activity remote for quite some time into the future and I do see us offering this option when audits are scheduled.”

To facilitate a remote audit transition, utilities and energy programs could alter their acceptance criteria of a complete audit and delay any required blower door test and CAZ testing until the time of retrofit. Several implementers have already made this shift in process, and program managers are in fact starting to consider this method as a more viable long term option that is more cost effective, and increases participation.


Contractors: Making the shift from field visits to remote audits
Contractors will need to adapt their process of engagement and incorporate remote working technologies. Remote audits from the home office will likely be a natural evolution, and appear to be an approach that could streamline the audit-to-decision process, and keeps the job pipeline full.

In any case, continuing with work through this era provides economic buoyancy, demonstrates adaptation, and creates shovel readiness for quick launch in the months ahead. As with all things that force change, we often find greater efficiency in the end. And that is, in fact, what we are all after.

See the origianl blog post to learn more about Chuck Ray >  https://snuggpro.com/blog/item/remote-energy-audits-in-the-time-of-covid-19

Offline App Support

v5 Release / limited off-line support

We can now support certain aspects of working off line in Snugg Pro. If you already have a job open and you loose internet connection, you will see an alert at the bottom of the screen that says Application Offline. 

You may safely make changes to your job while this alert is active on the screen as long as you DO NOT close your browser window or refresh the page.

Once you reconnect to the internet, you’ll see this an alert that says Application Online.

Once you get this message, all of the changes you have just made have been successfully saved to the server and it is now safe for you to close your browser window, refresh, or quit your browser.

You cannot open a new job when you are offline, model the job, or upload photos.

If you are going to a location that might not have Internet access, open the job before you arrive.  This will allow you to input data into the job off-line.  You will need to wait for connection before you upload your photos, or model the job.


As always, please contact support with any questions.

On-line Chat
Email: pro@snugghome.com
 

Chrome browser tips & tricks

Google Chrome is the required Snugg Pro browser on desktops and laptops.   We also recommend it for mobile devices, although you can use Mobile Safari on iOS.

Download Chrome


Refresh the app:
Use the half circle arrow on the chrome bar to refresh the app.

Use the refresh button in the following circumstances -

  • Anytime the app seems stuck or unresponsive
  • If modeling has been going for more than 5 minutes. If that does not stop the modeling, contact support and ask for a reset. Be sure to start the modeling over once it has been reset.
  • If the data fields have been locked due to loss of internet connection, sometimes a refresh will reconnect you.
  • If the support team has made any admin changes for you.
    • job deletions
    • moved or re-assigned a job
    • changed the status of a user/admin
    • added or removed a user
    • changed the company or program on a job

Undo command:
Ctr Z (windows) or Cmd Z (mac) is a undo command.  It will undo the last thing that you did on the app, for example if you deleted some data by mistake.


The Chrome Button: 
The 3-bar button is usually located at the end of the url field.  When that button is red or orange instead of black, it means you have a Chrome software update pending.  It is also a shortcut to additional options.

Incognito Window:
Many users, especially in a Windows environment, use the Chrome Incognito window.  It helps prevent conflicts if you have other browsers loaded on your machine.  See the drop down menu from the Chrome button to open a “New Incognito Window”

Clear your Cache:
It is good practice to occasionally clear your cache in Chrome.  If your machine seems bogged down and just isn’t performing as it should - clearing the cache usually helps.  Click on settings.

Duplicate tab / duplicate view:
Sometimes if you are doing some heavy editing on a report or template, if you duplicate that view, you can jump from one tab to the other to see how your edits are showing on the report.  You can also move one tab out of the chrome window and have the tabs side by side on your screen.  With the job open, do a right click on the tab - and choose duplicate.


Related Articles:

Mobile Device Compatibilities

 

Free Sample Jobs

When you create a new company you will automatically receive 2 free jobs for testing and learning.  If you invite additional people to join the company they will also receive 2 free jobs.  (This is determined by unique email addresses, if you have more than one company or work for more than one company and use the same email address you will not receive sample jobs on each account).

Edit the Address:  These jobs are generated in Colorado, so you should change the address (especially zip code) on them to get accurate testing results for your area.  With the job open, simply click on the name / address fields at the top of the page, make changes, then click the name address fields again to close it.

Both the Sample Job and the Blank Job are fully functional, and both have a “sample” watermark on the homeowner report.

Sample Jobs have full data for a test home.

Please review the input fields to see the various options (some fields open or close depending on your input).  Please feel free to change some of the input fields.

  • Once you have completed the input fields, click on the model it button to get your first results.
  • When modeling has completed, click on the refine button to see the results.
  • After the first model, all of the recommendations that are possible for this home will be displayed.  (for example: if a home has no basement, the insulate basement recommendation will not show).
  • You can click on the decline button to remove any recommendation from the report.  These recommendations will stay in the declined section, so you can move them back later if necessary.
  • You can also move any of the recommendation to “notes” if you just want to mention something to the homeowner, but not have cost, savings, SIR be part of the report.
  • You can click on the title of the recommendation to open the details.
    • add captions and photos
    • add notes to homeowner or contractor
    • edit base & improved values
  • Once you finish editing the recommendations, be sure to model the job again to get the new results.
  • Click on the report button to open the “report edit view”.
  • At the top of the screen in the report edit view, you can click on view/print to see what the final report will look like.   To test a pdf, click on the printer icon to the upper left of the screen.

Blank jobs have no data at all and can be used for doing a full test audit from scratch. Please remember to change at least the zip code.


Once you are ready to move forward with the app,

You will then be required to enter a credit card into the app to proceed, each new job created is billable.

Click on the yellow new button to create a new job


Related Articles:

Credit Card Management

Adding Users to your account

 


 

Field Sheets

The Snugg Pro Energy Audit Field Sheets are great for in-the-field data collection if you are not using a mobile device.  They are also great as a check list or to jot down extra notes for later input. They are also very popular as a training tool.

In July of 2016, Snugg Pro launched offline capability which allows our users to collect data in the field directly in Snugg Pro regardless if there is an internet connection. There is no need to do double data entry and our inline validations help ensure you're not mistyping information. Information on offline capability is available in this knowledge base article.

However, there might be instances where a paper field sheet is preferred. We have two different versions of the field sheet available:

1) Full Snugg Pro Field Sheet for version 5.5 -- This is a complete form that includes all inputs from the input screen of Snugg Pro as well as Notes for Homeowners and Contractors. This PDF is 15 pages long.

2) Condensed Snugg Pro Field Sheet for version 5.5 -- This is a condensed version of the field sheet with a reduced number of HVAC systems, doors, and no notes fields. This PDF is 6 pages long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inputs should I capture to accurately model a home?

The data in the input screens is used to calculate base values, base usages, base loads, etc.  They are also used to calculate air volume, attics, foundations, and walls.  So the more information you provide, the more accurate your results will be.

Even if you are not going to recommend some items, the base values are important.  If you really must cut down on data collection, the appliances, lights, and doors have the least impact for base values, but to fine tune the results even those are important.


How and when should I refresh the Snugg Pro app?

It's a good practice to refresh the app occasionally and to clear the browning history in Chrome as well.  It is also necessary to refresh after you have had support make changes for you.

The easiest way to refresh is to use the half circle arrow to the right side of the url field.

 


Which mobile devices to you support?

Snugg Pro is compatible with most mobile devices - tablets, iPads, phones.  It is suggested that any device that is compatible with Mobile Safari or Chrome for Mobile will be compatible with Snugg Pro. Mobile Device Compatibilities


What is the required Internet browser?

Google Chrome. 

Please do not use Internet Explorer, or FireFox to run the Snugg Pro app.  Both of these browsers cause errors in the program and in some instances will cause it to stop functioning. Mobile Safari and Chrome for Mobiles may be used.  Google Chrome is free,

download it here for Windows

download it here for MAC

download it here for Linux


When do I model the job?

The first model should be after you have finished with the input screens, this will calculate the recommendations, estimated cost, savings, and SIR.

Model again after you have made edits to the recommendations.  It is important to model the job if any of the data fields have been changed. You can edit text, notes, and photos without have to model again.

It is especially important to do another model right before you create an XML file.


How much does Snugg Pro cost?

There is no cost or obligation to create an account for Snugg Pro.  Each account comes with two free sample jobs that may be used for training and testing.

Once you "Create a New Job" you will be required to enter your credit card for billing.  Jobs are priced at $30 per audit address. 

If you are part of an efficiency program, the price and method of billing may change.  Please contact your program administrator, or our customer support for additional info.

Billings & Discounts


How much will I pay if I need to model the same home more than once?

You only pay for the job creation, this allows you to adjust and re-run the model as many times as necessary for that home.


How will I be invoiced?

Snugg Pro does not invoice jobs, your credit card on file will automatically be charged weekly for all jobs completed the previous week.  You will then be emailed a itemized payment receipt.


Can I delete a job created in error?

We can delete a job for you if it has not been modeled yet or billed yet.  Please contact us for assistance.


How do I perform audits without an internet connection?

An internet connection is required for saving data in the app.  If you are in the field without a connection, use our field sheets to collect the needed info.  We also have limited off-line support - please read this article carefully  .   Offline App Support


What do the audit reports look like?

You can see sample audit reports on either of the two free jobs that come with your account.  You may also enter your own logo and information to customize the look of these free jobs.  Click to see a sample Colorado audit or a sample New York audit.


Is there a free trial?

In this version of Snugg Pro, you receive two free sample jobs when you create an account. You can experiment with these jobs as long and as often as you like. These jobs are for evaluation and training purposes only.  A large 'Sample' watermark will appear on the homeowner report.

Once you are ready to "create a new job" then you will be asked for a credit card for billing.


How long does it take to do an audit?

If you are entering data that you have already collected, and inputing detailed utility bills, it takes about 20 minutes or less to complete the input fields.

If you're doing a full blower door and thermal scan and inserting pictures and writing copy from scratch, it might be 3 to 4 hours.

Many auditors who have their templates setup are doing comprehensive audits in about two hours.


Can I use Snugg Pro outside of the US?

Due to the weather data and other databases that Snugg Pro uses for modeling, the app can only be used within the US 50 states, we currently do not have databases for the US Territories.  Snugg Pro is not suitable for international markets at this time.


What modeling engine does Snugg Pro use?

Snugg Pro uses the OptiMiser energy modeling engine to suggest recommendations and estimate costs and savings.

Five Important Steps

Follow these 5 basic steps for the best performance in Snugg Pro. Picture the app as being divided into 3 sections:  Input, Refine, Report.

 

1) fill out the input fields

2) model it

3) refine recommendations

4) model it

5) customize report

 

INPUT: 
This the where you enter the existing values of the home.  
Complete as many of the input fields as possible. The data in the input screens is used to calculate base values, base usages, base loads, etc, and calculates air volume, attics, foundations, walls and windows.  The more information you provide, the more accurate your results will be.  Even if all measures are not recommended, the base values of the whole house play an important role in calculating energy savings.

MODEL: 
After the input fields are complete, click on the Model It button. Once the calculations are complete you will see a message at the bottom of the screen.

  • According to your inputs, the system will develop base values and suggested improved values for each recommendation.
  • Please refrain from changing any data fields while the system is modeling,

REFINE:
The refine screen will give you a list of recommendations after the first model.  

  • Click on “decline” for any recommendation that you don’t want in the report. 
  • Click on “note” if you want that recommendation to be a mention to the homeowner (without cost or savings).
  • Click on the title of any recommendation to open the details.   Add photos, captions, notes, edit the base and improved values, the title, and the cost. 
  • Cost are pulled from regional databases and represent an average cost for each recommendation.  Please edit these cost when necessary.
  • Improved values are pulled from national databases, and may need to be adjusted for your local codes.

MODEL:
It is important to model again after you have made changes to the refine screen. You can do this as many times as needed.

REPORT:
Once you have completed edits to the recommendations, click on the report button.

  • Add a photo of the home, and enter a simple greeting to the homeowner on the first page. 
  • See the article on Report Settings & Themes for ways to customize the homeowner report.
  • At any time, from whatever stage you are on the report, you can always go back to the input screens or refine screens to make changes.  It’s important to model it after additional changes are made.
  • Create a Pdf of the homeowner's report from within the app. 

Related articles:

Video - 05 Five Basic Steps

 Prioritize Recommendations


 

Pricing & Billings

Snugg Pro Pricing - you only pay for jobs created.

Click here for our full pricing chart

  • No annual license fee, no set up fee
  • Unlimited users, no per user fees
  • Unlimited devices, no per device fees
  • Mobile compatible, no app download needed
  • Free software updates
  • Free training & support

The standard charge for jobs on Snugg Pro is $30 per job created. 

You may make as many changes and re-calculations as needed for each job.  

The HEScore is included at no additional charge. 

If you work with an efficiency program in your area additional discounts may apply and there are also volume discounts available.  Please contact us with questions. 


When are jobs billable?
Jobs are billable as soon as they are created. We do not monitor any other stage of the job.  We also do not monitor duplicate jobs.  If you duplicate a job, or create a job in error, please see this article > Edit, Delete or Re-assign a Job

Two Free Jobs.  Each new user automatically receives two free jobs   One with data for reviewing & testing, and one blank job for self-training.  A user cannot create their own free jobs. When a new job is created (by clicking "create a new job") it will be billable.  Free Sample Jobs


Company Accounts
There is no charge to create company accounts, and no charge to invite unlimited users to that account.  Each company can have only one credit card on file at a time. When you invite users to join your company, you are giving those users permission to create jobs that will be billed to your credit card.  

If you would like to have the sales receipts emailed to someone in your accounting department, just email us with the information.  If you have any missing sales receipts, we will gladly email you a duplicate.

Free Templates
You may create unlimited templates at no charge.  Use these templates to save time on every job. When you "create a new job from template", it will be billable.

Billing Frequency
Weekly:  If you are on a per-job pricing, the jobs are processed against your credit card each Friday (for jobs created the previous 7 days).  Monthly:  If you are on a monthly prepaid subscription, these are processed the 1st of each month. Please contact us with questions on subscription pricing. 

Training Options and In-depth Videos

We offer several training options for Snugg Pro.

1) Watch An Introductory Video here

2) Search our Knowledge Base for How-To articles

3) Watch our comprehensive in-depth recorded video for full general training   

Comprehensive Training Video

 

Get in touch

If you would like to set up a special training session for your entire team, please contact us with some approximate dates and times, and we will work with you to get it scheduled.  This is a great way to get admins and users all on the same page.  Link to contact page.

 

Support Hours

Support for Snugg Pro is fast, easy and free.

Support Hours

All hours are in Mountain Time (Colorado)

Monday thru Thursday: 8 AM to 6 PM
Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM

Closed for lunch 1 PM to 2 PM Mtn Time

Support is closed on the following holidays

  • New Year's Day
  • Presidents Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day
  • National Election Day
  • Thanksgiving Day & Friday after
  • Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day

You can contact support in one of two ways:

Live Chat with us
Choose live chat to ask question and get a fast response.

Email Snugg Pro: pro@snugghome.com
Choose email to send a question or request.  You may send an email request at any time, we spot check this after hours and weekends.

While you are in the Snugg Pro app, simply click on the Support Button from the left sidebar to display the support options.

 

Finding your job ID:

If you have a question about a particular job, you'll need to include the job ID in your chat or email.  This will save time on the support response.

When you contact us through the Snugg Pro app, we'll try to pull the job ID into your email or chat. If it's not available, here is how to find that job ID: When the job is open, the job number shows in the url field as well as beneath the support options as shown above.

Also, from the job list screen, you can find the job ID in the 3rd column from the left.

 

> Creating a new account

We recommend that an administrator of your company create the primary company account.

Before you get started be sure that you are using Google Chrome as the default Internet browser. Download Chrome for free.

Create a new company if your company does not exist on Snugg Pro.   If the company already exist please do not try to duplicate it.  You will need to "join" an existing company instead.

Click here to create a new company account 

When creating a new account you will have the option to select from a list of energy efficiency programs that are currently available in Snugg Pro.  Most programs require authorization.

Next, fill out the company information form, then create a new company.

fill out the company screen

To complete your company profile, click on the settings button from the left sidebar, then Companies.

After clicking on Companies, open the company card by clicking on the pencil icon.

Fill out the company profile and add a company logo - this information is used to populate your homeowner reports.  The company logo will automatically resize to fit the homeowner report. You may choose the following image files - jpeg, png, gif.

Your information is automatically saved.

When you are ready to create new jobs, click on the billing tab to complete the credit card data.  Your credit card number is encrypted as soon as you finish the input.

When you are ready to add additional users, click on the users tab, and send an email invitation to each user on your list.  There is no charge to add users, and no additional user fees for them using the app.  It is especially important to have the Snugg Pro app open in Google Chrome when you add users.


Video - 01 Getting Started

Related Articles:

Adding Users to your company account

Users Working for Multiple Companies

   

Want to see an overview of Snugg Pro? Watch the recorded introductory webinar.


Support Hours

Mon-Thu: 8 AM to 6 PM
Fri: 8 AM to 5 PM
Mountain time zone

We are closed on these holidays.


Snugg Pro is a product of Snugg Home.
© Snugg Home, LLC 2010-2024. All rights reserved.