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OK, so, we use a lot of energy. It takes energy to make energy. It takes energy to transport fuel, it takes energy to make the vehicles and devices that transport fuel, it takes energy to turn fuel into energy and it takes energy to distribute energy and fuel. Energy is also wasted all along the path. This article looks at 9 reasons why it's not OK to waste energy.

In energy efficient home building and renovation, there are 5 Cs in success: Code, Costs, Clients, Callbacks, and Crews. This article looks at each of these Cs and how they contribute to your overall success as a builder, renovator, contractor or tradesperson.

Given my experience on site, echoed by nearly every single woman I know professionally, and the continued gender split that is taught from preschool on, it's no wonder women still make up a small proportion of the construction workforce. And that’s a problem for the industry. A serious one that is partially feeding into the looming jobs vacuum.

Proper sizing of any heating/cooling system is crucial to good performance and best energy (utility) savings. Here's some top-level advice for comparing heat pumps, primarily in heating climates.

So let’s talk about exterior insulation retrofits and how they are a relatively easy project to add into a job where it's time to replace the cladding, but we can't track how many jobs have insulation added, or how much/how well it's installed. Right off the bat, it’s most cost effective to add insulation to the outside of the house and to replace windows at the same time as recladding. This is the point at which we can make the biggest difference in the long-term durability, comfort and energy performance for the homeowner. As incentive programs are often based on single measures, these two integral upgrades are often disconnected.

A good time to do an exterior insulation retrofit is when it’s time to replace the siding or cladding. The best time is to do it when it’s time to replace the siding AND the windows. The best time to replace windows is when the siding needs to be replaced. Cladding, windows, roof. Replacement time means improvement time. Timing is everything. Not just for deferred maintenance, but also for the owner’s monthly budget.

The federal government announced and has implemented a program where low income households can actually get the full cost of the heat pump and removing the oil furnace/tank covered. It’s been launched in Atlantic Canada. Why Atlantic Canada? For a program getting household off oil heat? Where better? Let me sing you my song about Atlantic Canada's perfect storm of housing issues: We have some of the oldest housing stock in the country We have some of the highest energy prices in the country We have the lowest median income We have the highest median income tax We have a large population of households on fixed income We have no access to cheap natural gas We have a higher than average rate of energy poverty Why only fund low-income households that use oil heat? What about low-income households heated by natural gas or electricity? Oil heat is expensive. I'm not sure that folks who live and work in gas- or electricity-dominated markets really get exactly how expensive. And there are other financial risk factors that need to be addressed when it comes to oil heat that don't apply to households using other energy sources.

Upgrade your skills and join the movement towards energy-efficient, sustainable, and resilient homes with the Whole House Energy Retrofit course by Blue House Energy and Built Green Canada.

As the demand for housing continues to grow, it is more important than ever to prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability in residential construction and renovation. Whole house energy retrofits play a crucial role in meeting these goals, while also addressing the need for resiliency in the face of climate change and upcoming regulatory changes.

In partnership with Built Green Canada, the Whole House Energy Retrofit course offers an exciting opportunity for individuals to upgrade their skills and stay ahead of the game in the construction and energy efficiency industry. Participants will learn the 'Envelope First' approach to energy retrofitting, gaining expertise in assessing energy use, investigating and addressing building science challenges, and tackling heating/cooling upgrades. They will also explore the importance of developing a whole house retrofit plan.

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? 
 Blue House Energy has a whole module on study tips and test-taking strategies to help you pass Natural Resources Canada's Energy Advisor exams. Our goal is to see you succeed!