Community Energy Association

Mechanical and Ventilation Systems – Session Four: Hybrid Systems
2023-05-30 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Ecolighten Energy Solution’s Rob Pope will take us through hybrid heating systems for cold climates, including:

Types of hybrid heating systems,

When to consider a hybrid system, and

Important design considerations.

This webinar has been pre-approved for 1 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) point from BC Housing.
This webinar series is geared towards HVAC contractors and tradespeople who would like to deepen their knowledge around energy efficient mechanical systems. Anyone working or interested in the building or renovation space is welcome to join.
Thanks to support from Columbia Basin Trust, BC Hydro and FortisBC, these sessions are fully subsidized for participants from the Kootenay, Boundary and Columbia Basin regions.

Zero Carbon Step Code - BCMCLC Meeting
2023-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
If you are an elected official in BC and would like to connect with other locally elected officials and learn about the Zero Carbon Step Code (an opt-in carbon performance standard for new construction being made available to local governments as of May 1), join the first BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) meeting of 2023.
When: May 17, 2023, 10 am to noon Pacific Time
Who is the Meeting For: Any and all locally elected officials in BC
Register for the Meeting here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5UkcuCgpzkoHtxsw81rBGONosd7yPRRLhz3
Why now?
Local governments have great authority to influence new construction and create more comfortable and climate-friendly buildings and homes. In just a few weeks, changes will be made to the BC Building Code that will require new buildings to be about 20% more energy efficient than what is currently the law. On May 1, whether local governments have passed their own bylaws on the Energy Step Code or not, changes are coming:

For Part 3 buildings, including large commercial, retail, and residential units: Step 2 will be the new minimum standard
For Part 9 buildings, such as single-family dwellings and duplexes: Step 3 will be the new minimum.

In addition to these Province-wide energy efficiency standards, May 1 also marks the launch of the opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code (formerly known as the Carbon Pollution Standard). Local governments must choose to adopt to directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from new construction alongside the energy efficiency requirements in the Energy Step Code and building code.
This BCMCLC network meeting will focus on the Zero Carbon Step Code and how your community can lead in stepping up energy efficiency and carbon performance in new construction.
About BCMCLC
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council is a network facilitated by the Community Energy Association (CEA) with guidance from a steering committee composed of 12-15 elected officials from every region of BC. BCMCLC brings together any and all locally elected officials interested in accelerating the implementation of low-carbon solutions, while also supporting multiple community priorities. Network meeting topics and content will focus on networking, information sharing, and how high-impact projects in a community or region can be adapted successfully in other communities. The goal is to share and replicate outcomes, not effort.

Mind the Gap: Preventing Failure in HVAC and Airtightness- Prince George
2023-05-12 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
Pre-approved for 7.5 CPD from BC Housing
This one-day course will take a deeper dive into the BC Energy Step Code metrics for Part 9 buildings and how to achieve Step 3 and higher through design and building techniques to minimize extra cost. The content will focus on practical strategies for effective design, proper selection and installation of mechanical systems, and airtightness. Using real world examples and different housing archetypes from local climates, we will examine why some projects fail while others pass easily. This session is geared towards home building and design professionals. Instruction will assume a basic understanding of the BC Energy Step Code.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE
• Design and material considerations for Step Code compliance
• Tips to communicate with mechanical designers and mechanical trades to ensure properly-sized and installed HVAC equipment
• Airtightness best practices, testing process and checklist
• Strategies and solutions for a cost-effective air tightness result (renovations & new builds)
This course will include an onsite component at the end of the day. Using a local real world onsite home, the class will participate in a blower door test. This will include hands-on preparation for the test, highlighting common problem areas as well as strategies for improvement and repairs. As this portion of the course will take place on a local construction site, please dress appropriately for conditions. Access to a vehicle will be required to get to the site from the course venue.
Register HERE
Other events include:
June 20- Smithers
June 23- Dawson Creek

Balance Point Calculations - 3 of 3 of The Mechanical Systems Webinar Series
2023-04-25 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
The Mechanical and Ventilation Systems webinar series is geared towards HVAC contractors and tradespeople who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits and high-performance builds. Anyone working or interested in the building or renovation space is welcome to join.
Thanks to support from Columbia Basin Trust, BC Hydro and FortisBC, these sessions are fully subsidized for participants from the Kootenay, Boundary and Columbia Basin regions.
The webinar series will be presented by Rob Pope, an expert in energy-efficient systems and senior consultant with Ecolighten Energy Services.
To register for all the events, visit www.shiftshappening.ca. or click the link below to reserve your spot for the final of 3 webinars in the series:
Balance Point Calculations (April 25th, 8:00am to 9:00am PT)
Balance point calculations, covering the following:

An overview of heat pump balance point calculations.
Industry practices on when, how, and why contractors need to calculate balance points (e.g. hybrid heating systems).
Examples of how to calculate balance points.

Step Code Office Hours- Talk With a Consultant, for Local Government Staff
2023-04-24 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver)
Date: April 24, 2023
Location: Zoom
Step Code Office Hours- for local government staff who have questions about the May 1st, province-wide mandate of 20% more energy efficient. A CEA staff member will be available to answer questions and direct you to more resources. These sessions are intended to assist communities still needing to adopt new mandated Energy Step Code requirements and are not for delving into the new Zero Carbon Step Code as yet. If you are keen to learn more about Zero Carbon Step Code with other local government peers, please contact peernetworks@communityenergy.ca
Pre-register for a 9-10 am PST appointment on the following days:
April 24th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5IqfuCprDksEtHLmP1eO_V7nG5pwAfgBsYT

Step Code Office Hours- Talk With a Consultant, for Local Government Staff
2023-04-20 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver)
Date: April 20, 2023
Location: Zoom
Step Code Office Hours- for local government staff who have questions about the May 1st, province-wide mandate of 20% more energy efficient. A CEA staff member will be available to answer questions and direct you to more resources. These sessions are intended to assist communities still needing to adopt new mandated Energy Step Code requirements and are not for delving into the new Zero Carbon Step Code as yet. If you are keen to learn more about Zero Carbon Step Code with other local government peers, please contact peernetworks@communityenergy.ca
Pre-register for a 10-11 am PST appointment on the following days:
April 20th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Yrd-yqqT0jH9XKDBvdVYsUUdEyYzjP2E_E
April 24th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5IqfuCprDksEtHLmP1eO_V7nG5pwAfgBsYT

Step Code Lunch & Learn
2023-04-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver)
FREE webinar to support Local Government staff and elected officials to do what it takes to update their bylaws and processes to be ready for the May 1st province-wide implementation of Step Code.
April 19th from 12-1 pm PST.
• Step Code- what it is and the steps to implement it in your community.
• How to work with an energy advisor.
• Role of an energy advisor vs a building official.
• Bylaws and compliance processes.
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u50tcOuvrjgsHtF1uS5CSVNRi0ChiUwd4pOa

Step Code Office Hours- Talk With a Consultant, for Local Government Staff
2023-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver)
Date: April 17, 2023
Location: Zoom
Step Code Office Hours- for local government staff who have questions about the May 1st, province-wide mandate of 20% more energy efficient. A CEA staff member will be available to answer questions and direct you to more resources. These sessions are intended to assist communities still needing to adopt new mandated Energy Step Code requirements and are not for delving into the new Zero Carbon Step Code as yet. If you are keen to learn more about Zero Carbon Step Code with other local government peers, please contact peernetworks@communityenergy.ca
Pre-register for a 9-10 am PST appointment on the following days:
April 17th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u50vdO6qrT8oHdWKFwlvnk960qlh69tlu4lV
April 20th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Yrd-yqqT0jH9XKDBvdVYsUUdEyYzjP2E_E
April 24th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5IqfuCprDksEtHLmP1eO_V7nG5pwAfgBsYT

Step Code Office Hours- Talk With a Consultant, for Local Government Staff
2023-04-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver)
Date: April 6, 2023
Location: Zoom
Step Code Office Hours- for local government staff who have questions about the May 1st, province-wide mandate of 20% more energy efficient. A CEA staff member will be available to answer questions and direct you to more resources. These sessions are intended to assist communities still needing to adopt new mandated Energy Step Code requirements and are not for delving into the new Zero Carbon Step Code as yet. If you are keen to learn more about Zero Carbon Step Code with other local government peers, please contact peernetworks@communityenergy.ca
Pre-register for a 9-10 am PST appointment on the following days:
April 6th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ypf-6hrjsjHNPgiuHDniFdp51Dm44tPnC2
April 17th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u50vdO6qrT8oHdWKFwlvnk960qlh69tlu4lV
April 20th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Yrd-yqqT0jH9XKDBvdVYsUUdEyYzjP2E_E
April 24th – https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5IqfuCprDksEtHLmP1eO_V7nG5pwAfgBsYT

Leading from the North: Building Connections Across the Region for Climate Action
2023-04-04 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | UNBC Conference Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, Room 6-205, 3333 University Way,, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada
Date: April 3 & 4, 2023
Location: In-person (UNBC Prince George) & Virtual (Zoom)
The Northern BC Climate Action Network is celebrating its first anniversary! Our first hybrid meeting will feature opportunities to learn, connect, and envision the future of our region both in-person and online.
Workshop Objectives:
A. Foster relationships between people in different organizations and communities
B. Build momentum and member support to sustain the network over time
C. Determine the network’s collaboration methods and priorities going forward
D. Identify existing education and training capacities in the North, and develop strategies to address gaps in current programming and attract students/trainees
If you plan to attend in-person, please register via Eventbrite Deadline for in-person registration: March 20
If you plan to attend virtually, please register via Zoom
Travel funding is available for those who wish to travel to Prince George. Accommodation, dinner at reception, and food during workshop will be covered (rooms have been blocked at the Travelodge downtown Prince George), and a certain percentage of travel costs will be covered depending on the number of applicants. Please contact Carly Madge (carly.madge@unbc.ca) to apply for travel funding.
Draft Agenda
The workshop will be designed to facilitate as much interaction and collaboration as possible. We will also hear from guest speakers with powerful stories to tell about regional climate action here and around the world.
April 3, 2023
Coming Together: an informal Meet & Greet with refreshments/dinner
Location in downtown Prince George to be confirmed
6-8pm
April 4, 2023
Fostering Collaboration for Northern Leadership in Climate Action
8:30 am
Breakfast
9 am
Opening & Welcome
Workshop: Imagining a vision for our region.
10:15 am
Guest Speaker from Sweden: Albert Edman, Viable Cities and Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE)
“Viable Cities: a mission-driven approach for climate-neutral communities by 2030 and making the case for a thriving North”
Viable Cities
11:15 am
Workshop: How NorthCAN can help us realize the vision for our region.
12:00 pm
Lunch
Building Capacity for the Low-Carbon Transition Through Education & Training
1:00 pm
Reconvene & Welcome
Workshop: education, skills, and training in the North – strengths and gaps
2:15 pm
Guest Speaker: Greg Poelzer, University of Saskatchewan
“Realizing Northern aspirations through the skills, talents, and passions of our people”
3:00 pm
Workshop: Next Steps
3:30 pm
Tour of UNBC’s passive house and the Bioenergy Plant
4:45 pm
Wrap-Up, connections, and building relationships

Hydronic Systems - 2 of 3 of The Mechanical Systems Webinar Series
2023-03-27 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
The Mechanical and Ventilation Systems webinar series is geared towards HVAC contractors and tradespeople who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits and high-performance builds. Anyone working or interested in the building or renovation space is welcome to join.
Thanks to support from Columbia Basin Trust, BC Hydro and FortisBC, these sessions are fully subsidized for participants from the Kootenay, Boundary and Columbia Basin regions.
The webinar series will be presented by Rob Pope, an expert in energy-efficient systems and senior consultant with Ecolighten Energy Services.
To register for all the events, visit www.shiftshappening.ca. or click the link below to reserve your spot for the second of 3 webinars in the series:
Hydronic Systems (March 27th, 8:00am to 9:00am PT)
An introduction to hydronic systems, covering the following:

Hydronic system options for new construction and home retrofits.
Introduction to air-to-water heat pump technologies, including system design considerations and fundamentals.
Air-to-water heat pump installation guidelines for practical on-site considerations and good practices.

Heat Recovery Ventilators and Energy Recovery Ventilators - 1 of 3 of The Mechanical Systems Webinar Series
2023-02-28 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
The Mechanical and Ventilation Systems webinar series is geared towards HVAC contractors and tradespeople who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits and high-performance builds. Anyone working or interested in the building or renovation space is welcome to join.
Thanks to support from Columbia Basin Trust, BC Hydro and FortisBC, these sessions are fully subsidized for participants from the Kootenay, Boundary and Columbia Basin regions.
The webinar series will be presented by Rob Pope, an expert in energy-efficient systems and senior consultant with Ecolighten Energy Services.
To register for all the events, visit www.shiftshappening.ca. or click the link below to reserve your spot for the first of 3 webinars in the series:
Heat Recovery Ventilators and Energy Recovery Ventilators (February 28th, 8:00am to 9:00am PT)
An introduction to Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV), covering the following:

The importance of ventilation in high-performance homes.
Residential ventilation requirements including Section 9.32 of BC Building Code and CSA F326.
Background on HRVs /ERVs and how to choose an appropriate solution.
Best practices in HRV / ERV design, installation, and performance verification.

Getting to Implementation in BC/Big Moves Community of Practice
2023-02-09 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
CEA has undertaken a BC-focused update to the Community Energy Planning: Getting to Implementation in Canada project to identify best practices for bold climate action implementation. The update includes recommendations for local governments on how to effectively move from planning to actioning, taking into account their local context, unique opportunities, and existing resources.
During this time, CEA also launched the Big Moves Community of Practice, a pilot that offered dedicated coaching support to communities to help them become implementation-ready for a Big Move project to reduce emissions and advance low/zero carbon communities.
Please join us on Thursday, February 9th, from 1pm-2:30pm PST to learn more about the updated Getting to Implementation guide and discuss the findings, as well as hear from the Community of Practice communities (Squamish, Whistler, and Courtenay) on their process to becoming implementation-ready for their Big Move projects. Through the presentations and discussion, we will explore the factors and elements of successful implementation for local governments.
Please register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5AkfuugrD8rGdONx7YzDvdZeEuWGQnYbDk6

Understanding Rebate Programs for Home Energy Retrofits
2022-12-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Join us to learn all about the available Provincial and Federal rebates for homeowners who are completing home energy retrofits.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ukdu6sqDMrHtx1kAHa1GlBYl1nVZjg2DkA

E-mobility 101
2022-12-06 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Curious about electric vehicles? We are hosting an hour-long webinar with Community Energy Association’s Danielle Wiess to learn all about the benefits of electric vehicles, the cost to operate and maintain, charging equipment, current vehicles on the market, and available rebates.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5EpdeCopjMqHdGCxMbVPWgiFcCEqTYEZq-l

The Term of Climate Action: Resources and Supports for Locally Elected Officials
2022-11-24 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
The Community Energy Association (CEA) and the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) will host a webinar for locally elected officials on November 24. Hear about climate action resources and upcoming events from CEA and our friends at Climate Caucus.
This online meeting is for new and returning mayors, councillors, and electoral area directors looking to integrate climate action in their communities over the next term. Presentations and discussions will touch on the ways that climate action connects with key issues like affordability, economic development, equity, resilience, infrastructure renewal, and air quality. The event will include short presentations and time for breakout discussions with your peers.
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 pm Pacific Time
Contact info: bcmclc@communityenergy.ca and 604-628-7076 ext. 713 .
Register Here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5MsceChqjsiHNJBtGxpY0YDWm-CF1F5GtuW
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council is composed of locally elected officials and supported by CEA. BCMCLC fosters peer learning and support, and provides a forum for collaboration and advocacy with provincial government officials. Since 2010, elected officials from every region of BC have connected through BCMCLC for strategic engagement with peers and other orders of government. Learn more about the programming that BCMCLC and CEA hosts at https://bcclimateleaders.ca/.
Community Energy Association
The Community Energy Association works with local governments and Indigenous communities to accelerate bold, local actions related to climate and energy. Learn more at https://www.communityenergy.ca/.
Climate Caucus
Climate Caucus is a non-partisan network of 500+ current and former local elected leaders and over 1000 allies, leading the transformation needed for communities to thrive within planetary boundaries.
Collectively, Climate Caucus creates and implements 21st-century socially-just policies which align with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Learn more at https://www.climatecaucus.ca/.

Retrofit Training: The Building Envelope - Castlegar
2022-11-08 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101, 6th Ave, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3 B2, Canada
Join us for a full day workshop offering hands-on training led by local contractors and experts from across British Columbia to build your skills and ensure your success in performing home energy retrofits. Workshops will focus on the building envelope and will include the following topics: retrofit 101 & house-as-a-system, working with an energy advisor, improving the building envelope, insulation, air sealing, and Federal and Provincial rebate programs.
This event is geared towards contractors, tradespeople, building inspectors, and anyone else in the building and retrofit space who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits.
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Contact info: KCET@communityenergy.ca and 250-469-6783 ext. 729.
Register Here: https://BuildingEnvelopeCastlegar.eventbrite.ca

Retrofit Training: Heat Pumps & Mechanical Systems - Castlegar
2022-11-07 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101, 6th Ave, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3 B2, Canada
Join us for a full day workshop offering hands-on training led by local contractors and experts from across British Columbia to build you skills and ensure your success in performing home energy retrofits. Workshops will focus on heat pumps and mechanical systems and will include the following topics: retrofit 101 & house-as-a-system, heat pump 101, dual fuel and cold climate considerations, deep dive into energy efficient mechanical systems (including space heating and cooling, heat pump hot water systems, and ERV/HRVs), and Federal and Provincial rebate programs.
This event is geared towards contractors, tradespeople, building inspectors, and anyone else in the building and retrofit space who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits, and is pre-approved for 5 CPD Points from BC Housing.
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Contact info: KCET@communityenergy.ca and 250-469-6783 ext. 729.
Register Here: https://HeatPumpsCastlegar.eventbrite.ca

Home Energy Retrofits: Community Information Session - Castlegar
2022-11-06 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Edmonton) | Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101, 6th Ave, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3 B2, Canada
Join us for a half-day workshop that will introduce important concepts and emerging technologies surrounding home energy retrofits. Topics discussed include retrofit 101 and House-as-a-System, heat pumps, air sealing and insulation, working with an Energy Advisor, understanding rebate programs, Solar PV and E-mobility.
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Register Here: https://RetrofitCastlegar.eventbrite.ca

Home Energy Retrofits: Community Information Session - Cranbrook
2022-10-29 13:30 - 16:30 (America/Edmonton) | Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 803 Cranbrook Street North, Cranbrook, BC, Canada
Join us for a half-day workshop that will introduce important concepts and emerging technologies surrounding home energy retrofits. Topics discussed include retrofit 101 and House-as-a-System, heat pumps, air sealing and insulation, working with an Energy Advisor, understanding rebate programs, Solar PV and E-mobility.
Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Register Here: https://RetrofitCranbrook.eventbrite.ca

Retrofit Training: Heat Pumps & Mechanical Systems - Cranbrook
2022-10-28 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 803 Cranbrook Street North, Cranbrook, BC, Canada
Join us for a full day workshop offering hands-on training led by local contractors and experts from across British Columbia to build you skills and ensure your success in performing home energy retrofits. Workshops will focus on heat pumps and mechanical systems and will include the following topics: retrofit 101 & house-as-a-system, heat pump 101, dual fuel and cold climate considerations, deep dive into energy efficient mechanical systems (including space heating and cooling, heat pump hot water systems, and ERV/HRVs), and Federal and Provincial rebate programs.
This event is geared towards contractors, tradespeople, building inspectors, and anyone else in the building and retrofit space who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits, and is pre-approved for 5 CPD Points from BC Housing.
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Contact info: KCET@communityenergy.ca and 250-469-6783 ext. 729.
Register Here: https://HeatPumpsCranbrook.eventbrite.ca

Retrofit Training: The Building Envelope - Cranbrook
2022-10-27 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 803 Cranbrook Street North, Cranbrook, BC, Canada
Join us for a full day workshop offering hands-on training led by local contractors and experts from across British Columbia to build your skills and ensure your success in performing home energy retrofits. Workshops will focus on the building envelope and will include the following topics: retrofit 101 & house-as-a-system, working with an energy advisor, improving the building envelope, insulation, air sealing, and Federal and Provincial rebate programs.
This event is geared towards contractors, tradespeople, building inspectors, and anyone else in the building and retrofit space who would like to deepen their knowledge around home energy retrofits.
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Contact info: KCET@communityenergy.ca and 250-469-6783 ext. 729.
Register Here: https://BuildingEnvelopeCranbrook.eventbrite.ca

Considering a Heat Pump in Northern BC
2022-08-25 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Join the CleanBC Community Energy Coach for an introductory webinar about heat pumps, including information about their operation in cold climates. The webinar has been organized for members of the Northern BC Climate Action Network (NorthCAN) but is open to anyone.
Register Here

Charge North Electric Vehicle Discovery Tour!
2022-08-12 08:00 - 2022-08-21 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
Community Energy Association staff are hitting the road in a new Ford Mustang Mach-E this month to give residents of central and northern BC a chance to get up-close to a real EV and maybe even take it for a spin. From August 12-21, we’ll be at various points along Highways 97, 5, and 16. Check out the schedule and book a short test drive: https://www.communityenergy.ca/northevtour/

Part 2: Residential Retrofits – Avoiding Surprises!
2022-06-28 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Part 2: Residential Retrofits – Avoiding Surprises!
Explore the potential unintended consequences (indoor air quality, moisture management, etc.) if energy efficiency retrofits are not done right? Learn the building envelope considerations associated with energy efficiency retrofits through a holistic (house-as-a-system) perspective.
Get introduced to the Integrated Design Process via several examples and see how such process can greatly mitigate the risk of unintended consequences. Hear from local contractors on their experience with energy retrofits.
Stay ahead of the retrofit curve and changing customer expectations
Join respected Building Science expert, Hamid Heidarali for a free two-part residential retrofit series for tradespeople, contractors, and building professionals where you will learn about improving energy efficiency through the lens of holistic perspective. This series will provide participants with building envelope solutions that not only support energy efficiency goals, but also deliver superior thermal comfort, moisture management, durability, adaptability to future changes, etc. Hamid will use an intuitive and easy-to-follow presentation, supported by photos of mobile assembly mock-ups, case studies, photographs, and 3D details.
Pre-approved for 2 CPD from BC Housing.
Register now for this free session

Part 1: Residential Retrofits - Building Science Fundamentals
2022-06-16 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Part 1: Residential Retrofits – Building Science Fundamentals
Do you want to build on your skills to help customers with energy retrofits and renovation projects? Learn the basics of building science with a focus on control of transmission heat loss, air leakage, vapour diffusion, rain/snow, and ground/surface water.
Stay ahead of the retrofit curve and changing customer expectations
Join respected Building Science expert, Hamid Heidarali for a free two-part residential retrofit series for tradespeople, contractors, and building professionals where you will learn about improving energy efficiency through the lens of holistic perspective. This series will provide participants with building envelope solutions that not only support energy efficiency goals, but also deliver superior thermal comfort, moisture management, durability, adaptability to future changes, etc. Hamid will use an intuitive and easy-to-follow presentation, supported by photos of mobile assembly mock-ups, case studies, photographs, and 3D details.
Pre-approved for 2 CPD from BC Housing.
Register now for this free session

Principles of Moving Air - TECA Quality First™ Training Course
2022-06-15 - 2022-06-17 | Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101, 6th Ave, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3 B2, Canada
Today, newer more efficient furnaces and especially heat pumps require larger volumes of air to be moved than older higher temperature rise heating equipment. The Principles of Moving Air (POMA) course will benefit anyone working in the New, Retrofit or Repair portions of the industry and will give those who are designing or installing duct systems the ability to supply quiet, efficient systems which deliver the required volumes while using the least fan energy. Instructor David Hill has worked in the residential ventilation industry for 41 years, co-founded TECA 25 years ago and currently chairs its Ventilation and POMA tech committees
Course fees: Contractors: $500 (Note: Full course reimbursement and wage subsidies available for contractors registered with HPCN). Building Inspectors: $200
Pre-approved for 32 CPD from BC Housing.
Register Now (space is limited)

Come Together!
2022-06-08 13:00 - 2022-06-10 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | UBC Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), 2260 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
It’s the decade of climate action and it’s time to Bring It Home – for your community, for the planet, for the future.
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) and Community Energy Association (CEA) invite you to the 2022 Climate Leaders Institute (CLI). This year’s theme is Bring It Home in The Decade of Climate Action. Our goal is to provide participants with the opportunity to learn, share and contextualize proven climate action solutions to meet their community’s unique needs.
In person at the
UBC Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
In partnership with the Sustainability Hub

Heat Pump 101: Introduction to a growing industry
2022-06-02 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Join experts from Ecolighten Energy Solutions and the Home Performance Stakeholder Council to learn about changes happening in the HVAC industry, including heat pump technologies (ducted, ductless, cold climate, dual fuel), retrofit applications, industry support for contractors and latest rebates.
Register now for this free session!
Principal Instructor Bio:
Rob Pope, Co-Founder/Senior Consultant
Rob Pope is an HVAC design engineer with Ecolighten. He started working in the heating and cooling industry in the mid 1970`s 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 has been involved in the design and project oversight of many dozens of the most challenging and complex residential homes and estates in the industry, and continues to enjoy sharing his experience to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone.

You're Not Alone: How Communities and Regional Districts are Collaborating to Implement Real Climate Action
2022-05-30 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
Join CEA for a webinar featuring practical examples of local and regional collaboration that have resulted in additional capacity and funding to implement climate-related projects.
The Province of BC recently announced that every local government across BC will soon be getting more funding to support climate action initiatives. This support comes at a critical time, as many communities work to cut those emissions in half this decade. The speed and scale of these reductions and the regional nature of many solutions necessitate cross-community collaboration, particularly for capacity-constrained small communities. To support communities and meet them where they are at, CEA is hosting a webinar that will showcase real examples of this type of collaboration—where relatively small investments from local governments were leveraged into high-impact projects. Join us on May 30 at noon to learn more and help prepare your community to maximize the impact of this new funding.
Agenda:
12:00 Opening and the case for collaboration
Presentations on collaboration models from project experts
– Shared Community Energy Manager, Regional District of East Kootenay,
– Regional Retrofit Concierge Program in the Sea to Sky: Retrofit Assist
– Multiregional EV Charging Networks
– Regional Climate Service, Capital Regional District
Q&A with the audience
Announcement of CEA collaboration support offer
1:30 Optional small group discussion on collaboration ideas
2:00 Close
Register here!
