Dave Yates is one of the most experienced and entertaining teachers in the heating industry today. Starting in January, he’s teaching a six-week, online radiant design course for professionals. It’s a comprehensive course, developed in partnership with the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA), which combines video lessons, reading assignments, homework, and discussion. Dave says: “It will be a pleasure to pay back a bit of what the RPA has done for me while paying it forward to assist designers and installers who have an interest in ramping up their knowledge.”
The “Fundamentals of Radiant Design” is part of a new continuing education initiative directed toward the goal of an ANSI-recognized certification program for radiant heating and cooling system designers and installers. Education has always been a top priority of the RPA, and will continue to be a focal point of the organization. Executive Director Mark Eatherton says: “What makes this offering unique is that the students can learn at their own pace, while also getting lots of stories and tips from the instructor. Who wouldn’t want to pick Dave Yates’ brain?”
About the Course: “Fundamentals of Radiant Design”
Students will gain an understanding of how and why radiant heating works; how to properly design and install high-quality systems; how to seamlessly integrate radiant heating into indoor and outdoor environments; as well as the benefits of providing excellent thermal comfort.
This course will illustrate materials and system design methods that work well and its instructor will outline all-too-common mistakes to avoid. Participants may already posses a knowledge-base regarding hydronics (water based systems), power wiring (electric radiant), and some of this course information will probably be familiar. They will come away with a broad base of radiant systems knowledge that will prepare them for expanding their abilities, applying their skills and becoming a recognized radiant professional.
About Dave Yates
Born and raised in York, Pa., Dave began his career in the PHVAC trades in 1972. After serving his apprenticeship and working up to Master Plumber status, Dave struck out on his own in 1979. In 1985, Dave returned to the company where he had served his apprentice years and purchased F.W. Behler, Inc., a third-generation PHVAC firm that is celebrating 114 years of service in 2014. Dave’s company has won numerous awards for its work and Dave was the first recipient of the international Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. A published author in numerous trade publications in the United States and overseas, Dave has also written articles for The World Book Encyclopedia. In addition to teaching, lecturing and presentations throughout the country, Dave has served as an adjunct professor and served on the Technical Advisory Board for the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Dave is a past executive board member of the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA), member of the Green Mechanical Council and served on the Radiant and Hydronics Council with ACCA. Dave recently retired after serving for 14 years as the board president for York Central Market, a 45,000-square-foot center-city farmers’ market in York.
About the Radiant Professionals Alliance
Since 1994, the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) has been promoting radiant heating as comfortable, efficient, and healthy on behalf of its network of dedicated members who share the desire to advance the understanding and acceptance of radiant and hydronic technology. RPA University is a place to engage more deeply with some of the most talented experts in our industry. These courses are delivered online with heavy instructor involvement. This format allows us to go deeper than is possible in a short workshop, and enables us to provide more consistent, high-quality education training opportunities.
Last modified: December 20, 2013