Whole House Energy Retrofit

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’:

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

• 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: 20 CPD Points