Built Green Whole House Energy Retrofit – Early Bird

Built Green Whole House Energy Retrofit 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.

Canada has a wide range of housing types, vintages, and construction styles. That’s why this course has three ‘streams’:

1. Main: for the most common types of houses found across the country in Climate Zones 4, 5, and 6 that were built before 1980

2. Special Cases: for heritage (designated or not) houses, rubble foundations, permanent wood foundations, and solid masonry or solid wood walls

3. Northern: for houses built in Climate Zones 7a, 7b, and 8

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.

Download course outline

This course will be released in phases so you can get started now! Learn more about our phased approach:

• 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.

• This course takes 24-36 hours to complete (including reviews, quizzes, etc.)

• The main part of this course is made up of 5 modules.

  • There are two separate streams: Special Cases and Northern Housing. These are also broken out into modules.

  • Each module includes a downloadable study guide.

  • You have access to Building Science Basics as a BONUS course in your training plan.

• There is a review and quiz at the end of each module. You can review any section as many times as you like.

• Once you have completed all of the modules in the main stream, you can take the final test (you may only take once)

• A grade of at least 70% earns you a Certificate of Achievement

• Like all BHE courses, you have access for 12 months

• 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!

• Sales within Canada are subject to GST/HST

• Download course outline

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

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the characteristics of existing Canadian housing types, vintages and construction assemblies

• Explain the Envelope First approach to a variety of retrofits and its importance to Canadian housing

• Explain how to develop the Whole House Energy Retrofit through a systematic investigation and analysis of ‘what you’ve got’

• 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

• List ways to update mechanical systems before emergency replacement is needed

• Provide examples of retrofit roadmaps based on condition, vintage, and region

• Discuss, at a high level, the importance of roadmaps and future proofing

Completing this course qualifies you for:

BC Housing: CPD Points pending

*This course has been submitted to BC Housing for CPD points.