Building Science and Numeracy Essentials

With rising energy costs and the requirements of the Greener Homes Program, more and more Canadian homeowners are requesting home energy audits. As a result, there is a need for more Registered Energy Advisors (REAs). REAs are professionals who specialize in home energy efficiency and building science. They assist homeowners in making informed decisions about energy upgrades and retrofits. All REAs are registered with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to provide the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) for both new and existing homes. To register, they must pass the Foundation Level Exam and the Energy Advisor Exam.

If you have limited knowledge or experience in construction or building science and aspire to become an REA, the Building Science and Numeracy Essentials course is for you. It provides the necessary foundational knowledge to confidentially move onto the Prep Course for the Foundation Level Exam and the Prep Course for the NRCan Energy Advisor Exam (House) and to ultimately complete the certification. If you are new to the industry, this course should be your first step.

The two-day Building Science and Numeracy Essentials course teaches participants about the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS), including its administrative elements and procedures, the roles and responsibilities of REAs and service organizations, and how the ERS is applied and adopted by different levels of government. Participants gain a high-level understanding of the ERS and its applications and learn about the information required for both existing and new homes as well as the deliverables provided to homeowners and builders. The course also covers fundamental mathematical requirements such as basic geometry, arithmetic, and construction-related calculations and terms. 

In this course, you will learn to

• Use the EnerGuide Rating System. 
• Comprehend the roles and responsibilities of a Registered Energy Advisor. 
• Interpret the deliverables of the EnerGuide Rating System. 
• Use building science terminology and principles. 
• Differentiate building materials, construction methods, building types, and other building components. 
• Prepare yourself for the next step in becoming a Registered Energy Advisor, taking the Foundation Level Exam. 

This course is ideal for

This course is an introduction to Building Science. Although not mandatory to become a REA, it is strongly recommended if someone does not have a building science background or experience before doing the Prep Course for Foundation Level Exam. 

• Aspiring Registered Energy Advisors 
• People in career transition looking to become Registered Energy Advisors 
• Construction professionals 
• Home inspectors 
• Homeowners who want to implement energy efficiency renovation projects