CBPCA’s Building Science Academy (BSA) provides classroom and in-field training in home performance and HERS-related topics. Our curriculum focuses on applying building science concepts to increasing the energy efficiency, year-round comfort, and indoor air quality of residential homes, and how to apply these concepts to building a whole-house rating and/or retrofitting business.
Most of our coursework is designed for licensed contractors, but we do offer some informational courses as well that are relevant for anyone interested in residential energy efficiency. Please review the course descriptions below for more information.
Follow the links on the left to learn more about the BSA training calendar, registration, and other BSA activities.
Please visit the HERS Introduction page for more information.
This 9-day intensive home performance training series, composed of Levels 1, 2, and 3, teaches whole-house energy efficiency and building performance testing, evaluation, and contracting with homeowners for upgrading existing homes to improve comfort, safety, health, durability and energy efficiency. This program was developed to meet the increasing demand among homeowners for comprehensive energy efficiency solutions and better quality, energy-focused remodeling, a market that is expected to grow for many years to come.
This training series is designed for remodellers, HVAC contractors, solar contractors, insulation contractors, or anybody with a serious interest in developing a business in whole-house energy efficiency retrofitting or remodeling. Those who complete the series will be eligible to test for Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification. (learn more about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Levels 1-3…)
Due to Federal stimulus funding, the new AB811 retrofit financing, and new electric and gas utility cash incentives, a huge increase in demand is anticipated in 2010 for energy efficiency testing and retrofitting of existing homes. Many more qualified contractors and related businesses will be needed to meet that demand, so SCE is encouraging all general contractors, home remodelers, HVAC contractors, and other building industry consultants to participate in this three-day business development class.
This course teaches the emerging opportunities in the building performance industry and focuses on marketing, sales, and business development for contractors and consultants. No home remodel, heating or air conditioning upgrade, or solar installation should be done without a building performance assessment and upgrade. This course is an important component of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) (formerly GHEU) trainings offered throughout California by the CBPCA.
This free 3-hour seminar reviews how the emerging building performance industry is impacting the work of building officials, inspectors, planning personnel, policy makers, and many types of contractors and green building consultants. Current funding available through AB811 tax assessments, federal tax credits, stimulus funding, and utility rebates starting in early 2010 are creating new business opportunities and driving the development of the building performance industry. Learn how you can take advantage of these opportunities in Sonoma County and surrounding areas. The fundamentals of building science principals will be discussed.
California’s Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan establishes aggressive goals for reducing energy consumption in homes by 40% statewide by 2020. To meet this target, cities and counties around California are developing aggressive new policies and programs to support and grow the necessary businesses to achieve this goal. Learn how Sonoma County is making progress and how you can take advantage of the emerging opportunities.
Are you looking for a niche that works? Foreclosed homes are an opportunity to upgrade existing housing, make a profit on your investment, stimulate the economy, support a local green-collar workforce, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - all at the same time! In this class you'll hear about one company's successful business model for 'Energy-Wise House Renovators' that will work for you too!
This class explores the unique opportunity for energy reductions presented by foreclosed homes in this tough economy. Dave Robinson shows by example that this ‘bad market’ is an excellent time to buy foreclosed homes at a discount, perform significant energy upgrades, and sell at a profit. He’ll share his "Three Package System" that has worked so well that most of his projects have been sold before the renovation was complete.
By providing high-value amenities and finishes that buyers want, the Energy Wise House Renovators can include almost everything they want in an energy package, then readily sell the compelling finished product at a reasonable profit. This model does not depend on any government or utility incentives and the material presented is based on actual projects completed recently.
Saving the Planet, One Foreclosed House at a Time. Dave Robinson spent 30 years as a residential contractor specializing in energy efficiency, HVAC, windows, and insulation. Since becoming fascinated with the blower door in the early 90s, he has advocated for whole house performance upgrades. In his semi-retirement, Dave started GreenEarthEquities.com, which buys foreclosed homes and combines complete energy retrofits with some nice remodeling before selling to delighted first time home buyers. Once Dave realized how much fun he was having and what a great opportunity foreclosed houses present, his mission has been to recruit and train other Energy-Wise Renovators.
BPI Certification – Raising the bar in Home Performance contracting
BPI is the home performance contracting industry's credentialing organization and is well recognized, credible, and rigorous. The greatest benefit is to be part of a national initiative to bring about systematic improvement to the performance of our nation’s 110 million existing homes. Whole-house performance, energy efficiency and combustion safety are central to BPI certification testing. Your BPI certification demonstrates your knowledge and competence in these areas. (learn more about BPI Certification in California...)
Prepare to take the field exams for BPI certification in Grass Valley, CA. This one day review will give you hands on experience with the tools and techniques that a BPI candidate should know prior to taking their field exam. This class is appropriate for both new and experienced building performance professionals who are pursuing BPI certification.
Basic Home Performance Assessment
Workshop Overview:
This three day class will give students who have already been introduced to Home Performance Assessment (HPA) the opportunity to gain more hands on experience with the tools and procedures involved in assessing a typical California home. The procedures taught will be in line with Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards and the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 2 (HPwES 2) (formerly GHEU) class.
Prerequisites: Students participating in this workshop should have completed HPwES (formerly GHEU) 1&2 or an equivalent. Students should be familiar with the tools involved in HPA prior to attendance. Students that have not come through the HPwES classes but have practical experience with HPA tools and procedures should be allowed to attend. (learn more about Basic Home Performance Assessment…)
Advanced Home Performance Assessment
Workshop Overview: This three day class will give students who have already developed basic skills in Home Performance Assessment (HPA) the opportunity to gain more hands on experience evaluating a home. The students will test a home with the instructor as a resource and coach. In this class the students will be expected to attempt to lead the process. The procedures taught will be in line with Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards and the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 2 (HPwES 2) (formerly GHEU) class.
Prerequisites: Students participating in this workshop should have completed HPwES 1&2 (formerly GHEU) or an equivalent and have basic field experience. Students should be able to operate the tools involved in HPA prior to attendance. Students that have not come through the HPwES (formerly GHEU) classes but have practical experience with HPA tools and procedures should be allowed to attend. (learn more about Advanced Home Performance Assessment…)
In-field--Intro to Home Performance Diagnostics
Basic home performance testing. This is an eight hour class doing an actual Home Performance Evaluation on a single family residence. Each student will gain knowledge and experience by helping to set up the equipment and perform the following tests:
* Blower Door Test (air infiltration)
* Duct Leakage Test (duct leakage)
* Infrared Camera Evaluation
* Attic / Insulation Assessment
* Air Flow Measurements
* Site / Structure Evaluation
* Introduction to Combustion Safety analysis
This five day class will give students who have already developed basic skills in Home Performance Assessment (HPA) the opportunity to gain more hands on experience designing and installing Building Envelope and HVAC systems designed to meet home performance specifications. The students will spend class room time covering the six performance factors for HVAC systems, reviewing Building Envelope Sealing Strategies and Building Ventilation requirements. Time will be spent in the field sealing a buildings envelope, installing a heat pump and its duct system, installing an HRV and its duct system and installing bath fans and exhaust ducts. The procedures taught will be in line with Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards and the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 2 (HPwES 2) (formerly GHEU) classes. For more information, download the pdf.
CBPCA offers field mentoring, technical assistance, and BPI field proctoring at your location for small groups and individuals. Call Barbara Hernesman at 530-265-0233, for pricing.
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CBPCA is the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® partner in California. We promote whole-house energy efficiency upgrades for homes and homeowners in California.
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