Building Science and Numeracy Essentials

Due to the relationship between monthly home costs and energy, as well as the launch of the Greener Homes Grant program, more and more Canadian home owners are requesting home energy audits. This has resulted in a need for more Registered Energy Advisors (REAs). An REA is an expert in home energy efficiency and building science who helps homeowners make informed decisions about energy upgrades and retrofits. All REAs are registered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) for new homes and existing homes. In order to become registered, they need to pass the Foundation Level Exam, as well as the Energy Advisor exam.

The Building Science and Numeracy Essentials course has been created for aspiring REAs who have limited knowledge or experience in construction or building science. It will give them the necessary base of understanding to confidently take the next step of completing the Foundation Level class and exam, the Energy Advisor Prep course and exam and the final steps of completing the certification. If you don’t have a lot of experience or haven’t been working in the industry for a while or are new to the industry, this course should be your first step.

This 2-day program will expose participants to the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS), the administrative elements and procedures, roles and responsibilities from energy advisors to service organizations and the different levels of government, where the EnerGuide Rating System is used and where it has been adopted. Once participants have gained a high-level understanding of the ERS, its different elements and its applications, we will investigate and explore what information is required to be collected and generated for both existing and new homes as well understanding the deliverables that are provided to homeowners and builders. In addition, we will do a deeper dive into the fundamental mathematical requirements with a basic introduction to geometry, arithmetic and other construction related calculations and terms.

 Key Learning Objectives

• Familiarity the Administration of the EnerGuide Rating System
• Understanding of the process of becoming an Energy Advisor and its roles and responsibilities
• Recognize the deliverables of the EnerGuide Rating System
• Understanding of the fundamentals of building science terminology and principles
• Overview of basic HVAC, building materials, construction methods and building types
• Preparation for the next step in becoming an REA – the foundation Level exam

Audience

• Aspiring Registered Energy Advisors wanting to conduct home energy assessments
• Construction professionals
• HVAC specialists
• Trades people
• Home inspectors
• People with an interest in energy efficiency and a desire to understand what makes a home comfortable and energy efficient