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Join Community Energy Association, CHBA Northern BC, Nisga’a Nation and building science consultants for an indepth exploration of deep energy retrofits at scale. Learn about the integrated design process, workflow strategies, management considerations, and building science needed to achieve success.
Quality deep energy retrofits increase buildings’ durability, make them more comfortable, and reduce the cost of heating and cooling. Energy retrofits of existing buildings represent a tremendous opportunity not only region-wide economic and social development but also tangible, impactful climate action.
Pending 6 CPD from BC Housing.
With James Bourget of RDH Building Science and Shawn Wiebe of Holistic Building Performance.
Pre-approved for 7 CPD from BC Housing
Note: Day 2 registration is limited to 20 to allow for best hands-on learning environment possible.
This new training course specifically focuses on the limitations and challenges contractors face when undertaking enclosure retrofits on existing homes. Contrary to new builds, retrofits come with many challenges from unknowns, including as-built products and materials, occupied conditions, phasing limitations, and existing structural configurations. These challenges must be met with creativity, adaptation, and a strong knowledge of best-practice retrofit solutions.
This course will include a newly designed set of wall, fenestration, and air-sealing mock-ups for hands-on demonstration and learning.
June 4, 2024 in Terrace BC | |
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8:30 a.m. | Catered breakfast and sign-in |
9 a.m. | Welcome and introduction to deep energy retrofits Gaëtane Carignan, Community Energy Association |
9:30 a.m. | Nisga’a Nation housing and retrofit context Eric Nyce, Nisga’a Lisims Government |
10 a.m. | Key energy retrofit considerations: Expert perspectives Presentations by Mark Bernhardt, Richard Hall, James Bourget |
11 a.m. | Break |
11:20 a.m. | Key energy retrofit considerations: Expert perspectives Presentations by Rob Pope, Shawn Wiebe, Meredith Hamstead |
12:20 p.m. | Catered lunch |
1 p.m. | Principles of integrated design applied to large-scale retrofit program Mark Bernhardt |
2:15 p.m. | Facilitated discussion |
2:45 p.m. | Break |
3 p.m. | Facilitated panel discussion |
4:30 p.m. | Closing remarks and key takeaway summary |
June 5, 2024 in Terrace | |
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8:30 a.m. | Catered breakfast and sign-in |
9 a.m. | Welcome and introductions |
9:30 a.m. | Session 1: Building science fundamentals for retrofits |
10 a.m. | Session 2: Hands-on window rough opening preparation |
Noon | Catered lunch |
12:40 p.m. | Session 3: Retrofit detail mockups and testing |
3:10 p.m. | Coffee break and feedback |
3:30 p.m. | Session 4: Hands-on penetration detailing |
4:30 p.m. | Session 5: Builder discussion and construction drawing review |
4:45 p.m. | Closing comments and facilitated discussion |
RICHARD HALL — International Read Seal carpenter, NISI qualified building inspector, independent First Nations Housing Consultant
After 38 years of experience as a Red Seal carpenter, home builder, construction foreman, qualified building inspector, site supervisor, and project manager, Richard now serves as a special advisor for First Nation communities in constructing energy-efficient, culturally appropriate, affordable homes. Over his career he has inspected 5-6000 homes in BC and captured the challenges within communities by placing pen to paper to help find solutions that would benefit all Canadians. He is the principal designer of the “Wet West Coast Building Standard”. With this booklet he created a new building standard for First Nations, with simple, affordable concepts and solutions that complimented their lifestyle, the weathering elements, Step Code and overall durable and appropriate building materials for the designs. He has also retired from his role as the Asset Manager for Nuxalk Nation; in this role, he led efforts to build capacity within the community and utilized what resources he had to rebuild a Nation.
MEREDITH HAMSTEAD – MEDes, EP
Meredith is the CEO of thinkBright Homes Ltd., a residential home building company committed to a one-planet model, where families, businesses, and communities thrive within the capacity of our planet.
For nearly 2 decades, thinkBright has been a thought-leader delivering residential building practices that are affordable, comfortable, and climate friendly. Every thinkBright new home is zero carbon and net zero energy ready. Our energy efficiency upgrades use carbon-friendly materials and deliver energy savings of 50% or more.
Meredith is applying 20 years’ experience in the field of sustainability consulting to the construction sector. She has been active in development of mandatory builder training for the new BC Energy Step Code and is a committee member of the Home Performance Stakeholder Council’s retrofit contractor network. Her business partner, Paul Denchuk is a leader in building energy efficiency and performance. Together they are changing the world, one home at a time!
MARK BERNHARDT — B.Sc. CPHC, REA
Mark is the President of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd. and CEO of Energy Code Solutions. For the last decade he and his team have spent their time developing, building, retrofitting, and consulting on some of Canada’s highest performance homes.
Mark is a Registered Energy Advisor and Passive House Consultant, and over the past few years has spent much of his time helping other builders gear up for Step Code and higher performance buildings. He serves on several provincial code committees and is CHBA BC President and past chair of the technical committee.
ROB POPE — Senior Consultant, Ecolighten Energy Solutions
Rob started working in the HVAC industry in the mid 1970s where he began his apprenticeship in high-end custom homes, quickly earning tickets in sheet metal, refrigeration and gas fitting. During this time, he installed, serviced and began designing the first wave of energy-efficient systems such as condensing gas furnaces and boilers, heat recovery ventilation, heat pumps and solar thermal. Rob was the Mechanical Consultant on the first residence in Canada to achieve a Canadian LEED® certification. As an active member of the industry he has served as an executive member of the HVCI and TECA industry associations, advocating for higher standards and better education for its members.
JAMES BOURGET — ABET, RRO, CPHT | Principle, Construction Specialist
James Bourget began his career in the construction industry in 1975. Over the years, he has established a multifaceted skill set and familiarity with various trades’ practices, including masonry, carpentry, concrete placing and finishing, architectural sheet metal, painting, as well as various stucco systems. In 2003 he joined RDH Building Science and since has been specializing in condition assessments, project design, detail development, and field review on Existing Buildings projects.
As an approved roof inspector with the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia, James has developed expertise in the investigation, design, and field review of complex and specialty roof renewal and replacement projects. He is also a Certified Passive House Tradesperson.
James has extensive experience mentoring and training members of the building industry. He currently shares his knowledge of the building enclosure as a hands-on instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology for both Passive House and building science related courses. As part of an initiative to support the implementation of a province-wide energy step code policy, James also provides hands-on airtightness training to builders and contractors. He has worked with reputable manufacturers to film installation demonstration videos of their products such as membranes, barriers, and cladding attachments.
SHAWN WIEBE — Interprovincial Red Seal carpenter, REA, High Performance Building Consultant
Shawn got his start in the trades at an early age from a father who was a Red Seal electrician, licenced gas fitter and owner operator of a backhoe. After completing his Red Seal apprenticeship, Shawn started his own construction company and general contacted residential, commercial and agricultural projects.
After 20 years as a general contractor, Shawn went on to lead work in Indigenous housing & infrastructure at both the community and Tribal Council level for more than 10 years. Now a Registered Energy Advisor, Shawn also holds micro-credentials from BCIT in Zero Energy Buildings and Regenerative Buildings and is currently working on completing his Passive House Consultant Certification.
The Northwest Energy Retrofit Forum is one of many Building A Legacy North activities, enabled through a collaboration of Community Energy Association and CHBA Northern BC with funding support from Nisga’a Lisims Government, BC Hydro, Fortis BC, Real Estate Foundation of BC and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.