The Energy Advisor Exams are challenging. Time is limited, there's a lot of questions, and test anxiety is a real thing that can trip you up. Sometimes it's difficult to see the correct set of answers in a multi-choice exam question. When you are taking an exam or practicing for one, and you get stumped, about a list of options, ask yourself: which of these are simple facts?
Energy Advisor Exams: How to Answer Multi-Choice Questions
Shawna HendersonAugust 24, 2023
The Energy Advisor Exams: How to Overcome the Top 5 Challenges
Shawna HendersonAugust 22, 2023
While preparing for energy advisor exams may present challenges, there are solutions available to overcome them. Seek guidance, opt for flexible study programs, find comprehensive and up-to-date resources, build confidence through practice and support, and look for cost-effective options. By addressing these challenges head-on, you can enhance your exam preparation and increase your chances of success. Good luck!
Vapour Diffusion Retarders are Better than Vapour Barriers
Shawna HendersonAugust 09, 2023
In cold climates, the vapour retarder is installed on the warm side – typically directly behind the drywall. This location prevents the warm and relatively humid air from traveling into the wall where it may condense. But here’s the thing: Building scientists agree that the use of vapour impermeable retarders or barriers are not always necessary and in fact can be a poor strategy in all except the coldest climates such as northern Canada and Alaska. This is because the use of vapour impermeable barriers has two significant flaws:
3 Characteristics of a High Performance Building Process
Shawna HendersonAugust 04, 2023
A high performance process for building high performance houses has 3 key characteristics: Integrated Design Process (IDP) Construction Quality Management Commissioning The best practice for building a high performance house is to make all the decisions about energy conservation measures during the design stage. This is the least expensive and most cost-effective part of the process. Decisions can be revisited based on energy modelling and costing before construction begins. This results in a package that works for the builder and for the homeowner.
BC Energy Step Code: Here's why BC builders need only modules 3, 4, and 5
Shawna HendersonNovember 17, 2022
In fact, Blue House Energy only offers these 3 out of the 8 mandatory modules — why? Envelope First. That’s why. Blue House Energy online construction courses - Building Science, Construction Technology, Net Zero Energy - all emphasize understanding the envelope first, then understanding the fundamentals of HVAC systems. Our experience...
Meet Donald Fast - Building Performance Engineer
Shawna HendersonOctober 25, 2022
A summary of conversation between BHE’s Program Coordinator Carla Harder (CH) and Introduction to HOT2000 Modelling instructor, Donald Fast (DF) from Capital Home Energy. You can watch or read through our conversation with Donald. CH: So, tell me a little bit about what you were doing before you actually...
Meet Toby Smith - Energy Advisor and Trainer
Shawna HendersonSeptember 28, 2022
A summary of conversation between BHE’s Program Coordinator Carla Harder (CH) and Introduction to HOT2000 Modelling instructor, Toby Smith (TS) from Building Knowledge Canada. You can watch or read through our conversation with Toby. CH: Toby, it's nice to chat with you again! What you were doing before...
What a Difference a Decade Makes!
Shawna HendersonAugust 30, 2022
Blue House Energy started out as a thought experiment: how could we deliver standardized training in building science and construction technology to as many people as possible. First, it was Shawna criss-crossing the province, the country, the continent. Ya, right. Single mom away for most of the year? Not gonna...
We’re celebrating a decade of Seriously Enjoyable Learning!
Shawna HendersonAugust 16, 20221 comment
Check out our website for surprise discounts on different courses through the end of October 2022 - when we are officially 10. We’re ramping up our celebrations, starting with 10 random draws. Starting today, when you buy a course, your name will be put into the proverbial hat, and if...
Changes to Licensing Requirements for BC Builders 2022
Shawna HendersonAugust 12, 2022
The BC Energy Step Code came into force in April 2017. Currently, local governments have the authority to require builders to meet one or more steps. New homes built under the Step Code need to be 20 per cent more energy efficient than the baseline or reference house - that’s...
New Training Partner!
Shawna HendersonJuly 26, 2022
We’re pleased to announce that Efficiency Nova Scotia is now offering Construction Technology, Envelope Fundamentals and BGC Net Zero Energy for New Construction as ongoing professional development for their Preferred Partner Network. EPP Members get a 50% discount! Direct links to BHE offerings: Construction Technology Envelope Fundamentals BGC Net Zero...
Energy Advisor in the Field: Tips on being a Contractor or an Employee
Shawna HendersonJuly 14, 2022
One of the people who has gone through Blue House Energy’s Foundation Exam Prep and Energy Advisor Exam Prep program wrote to me and asked this question: “I currently have two offers of employment to get me going as an EA. One is as a contractor, paid on a per...
This Must Be The Place, Season 3: Another 18 Episodes of BS*
Shawna HendersonJuly 06, 2022
Hard to believe, but 7 July is the launch of Season Three of This Must Be the Place: The Building Science podcast! With 36 great episodes under our belt, we decided to change things up a bit for this season. Our next 18 episodes will be broken into three themes,...
Learn on the Road: Building Construction Technology Online Courses Now in Audio
Shawna HendersonJune 16, 2022
We know where you live. In your vehicle. And you like podcasts. It used to be that listening to the radio was the norm while driving, or when working on a construction site. CBC Radio 1 used to be on all day, every day on most sites when Blue House...
How 18 Building Science Podcasts Make Me A Better Person
Shawna HendersonJune 07, 20221 comment
Listening to podcasts is a great way to expand your understanding of the world. As a podcaster myself, I love to ask questions and then sit back and listen to other people’s stories and their takes on our industry, and how the built environment affects each and every one of...
International Women's Day
Shawna HendersonMarch 08, 2022
This year marks the second season of This Must Be The Place- The Building Science Podcast. Shawna has welcomed a number of women to the table for thoughtful, engaging conversation in all areas of the sector. Listen to how they inspire change and innovation to help create better building practices, policy, and guidelines that impact energy efficiency.