Blog

Rules of Thumb Suck!

Shawna HendersonJune 20, 2018

HVAC systems are often ‘sized’ using rules of thumb. That sucks. Proper system sizing and good duct design gives better comfort and performance.

Windows: Adding Strength to the Weakest Link

Shawna HendersonJune 11, 2018

Regardless of what you’re building, in high-performance construction or renovation windows are always going to be your biggest challenge. They are a thermal bridge that you can’t eliminate - they are going to mess with your heat loss or your heat gain.

What Makes a Good Energy Advisor?

Shawna HendersonJune 08, 2018

Do you possess excellent customer service skills and are passionate about helping customers increase the energy efficiency of their homes? If your answer is yes, you may want to consider a career as a Certified Energy Advisor (CEA).

What Code Changes Could Cost - Part Two

Shawna HendersonFebruary 08, 2018

Energy efficiency measures come at a cost, but what about the long-term benefits that come with homeowner stability and established communities?

What Code Changes Could Cost - Part One

Shawna HendersonFebruary 06, 2018

Building Code changes that require energy efficiency measures will increase capital costs, but what about the non-energy benefits they accrue?

The Blower Door, Explained

Shawna HendersonJanuary 30, 2018

Energy Advisors, Auditors, & Evaluators all rely on a blower door to gauge the performance of new & existing housing. Your blower door questions answered here.

Blower Door Testing: Are You Code-Compliant?

Shawna HendersonJanuary 17, 2018

In 2017, CGSB stopped supporting the Canadian standard for blower door testing, yet it’s referenced by many voluntary programs and building codes including the NBC.

Four Ways to Get More Training for Less Money

Shawna HendersonJanuary 17, 2018

Blue House Energy: committed to training that is pain-free, cheap & cheerful. We supply & manage on-demand training for home construction & renovation.

Total Cost of Ownership - Why Reinvent the Wheel?

Shawna HendersonDecember 12, 2017

Thinking of developing and delivering online or blended learning? Your Total Cost of Ownership will be high. Let Blue House Energy reduce it for you.

The Benefits of Blended Learning

Shawna HendersonDecember 05, 2017

Thinking of developing and delivering online or blended learning? Your Total Cost of Ownership will be high. Let Blue House Energy reduce it for you.

The Value of Communication

Shawna HendersonNovember 30, 2017

Communication is key to a successful project. So why are construction projects often run like bad games of ‘telephone’?

Five Ways Trickle-Down Education Fails the Building Industry

Shawna HendersonNovember 28, 2017

Trickle-down education isn't helping the homebuilding industry as it moves from old school construction to high performance housing. Here are 5 ways it fails.