Intermediate Level
The Whole House Energy Retrofit Course covers the Envelope First approach to a variety of retrofits; how to develop the Whole House Energy Retrofit through a systematic investigation and analysis; how to avoid unintended consequences when determining retrofit solutions; and how to create phased roadmaps that include future proofing and resiliency measures.
Canada has a wide range of housing types, vintages, and construction styles. That’s why this course has three ‘streams’:
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Main: for the most common types of houses found across the country in Climate Zones 4, 5, and 6 that were built before 1980
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Special Cases: for heritage (designated or not) houses, rubble foundations, permanent wood foundations, and solid masonry or solid wood walls
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Northern: for houses built in Climate Zones 7a, 7b, and 8
Bonus Course Included!
Our Whole House Energy Retrofit course comes with Building Science Basics ($95 value) as a bonus course in your training plan!
Course Overview
Built Green Whole House Energy Retrofit is a partner project between Built Green Canada and Blue House Energy.
This course aligns with Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide for Houses Rating System and its envelope-first building science approach. The curriculum dovetails with Built Green’s Renovation programs that include energy efficiency as a key focus and goes on to other critical aspects of sustainable building—like materials and methods, water conservation, and waste management.
Important Details
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Whole House Energy Retrofit is a continuing education course for members of Built Green Canada. Contact the Built Green Canada office (info@builtgreencanada.ca or 1-855-485-0920) for your discount code.
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This course takes 24-36 hours to complete (including reviews, quizzes, etc.)
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The main part of this course is made up of 5 modules.
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There are two separate streams: Special Cases and Northern Housing. These are also broken out into modules.
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Each module includes a downloadable study guide.
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You have access to Building Science Basics as a BONUS course in your training plan.
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There is a review and quiz at the end of each module. You can review any section as many times as you like.
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Once you have completed all of the modules in the main stream, you can take the final test (you may only take once)
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A grade of at least 70% earns you a Certificate of Achievement
- Like all BHE courses, you have access for 12 months
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The course is best viewed on a laptop or desktop. It works on tablets, but it’s really hard to see all the details on a phone!
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Sales within Canada are subject to GST/HST
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Whole House Energy Retrofits
- Introduction
- Whole House Energy Retrofits
- Retrofit Hazards and Safety
Module 2: Building Science and the Existing House
- What’s Your Type
- Foundations
- Roofs and Ceilings
- Above Grade Walls
- Windows and Doors
Module 3: Upgrading the Building Envelope
- The Envelope First
- Foundation
- Roofs and Ceilings
- Walls
- Windows
Module 4: Updates and Upgrades for Mechanical Systems
- What you’ve got and how to upgrade
- Ventilation
- Space Conditioning
- Domestic Hot Water
- Replacing Existing Equipment
- Electrification/Fuel Switching
Module 5: Roadmaps for Whole House Energy Retrofits
- Anticipating Change
- Financing Issues
- Phased Roadmaps
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
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Describe the characteristics of existing Canadian housing types, vintages and construction assemblies
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Explain the Envelope First approach to a variety of retrofits and its importance to Canadian housing
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Explain how to develop the Whole House Energy Retrofit through a systematic investigation and analysis of ‘what you’ve got’
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Describe how to avoid unintended consequences when determining retrofit solutions by using the house as a system concept to improve the performance of the building envelope
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List ways to update mechanical systems before emergency replacement is needed
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Provide examples of retrofit roadmaps based on condition, vintage, and region
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Discuss, at a high level, the importance of roadmaps and future proofing
Credit Value
Completing this course qualifies you for:
BC Housing: 20 CPD Points