Hi friend, Welcome to the March 2023 edition of HPSC Monthly. This month, we bring you these top stories and more: - Grants, funding, and other resources for your business.
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A preliminary agenda is now available for our upcoming Contractor Forum.
- Do you install hybrid heating systems? FortisBC wants to hear from you!
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Grants, Funding, and Other Resources for your Business Looking for funding or other resources to support your retrofit business? Check out these opportunities - just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
Workplace Accessibility Grant
About: Provides direct supports to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an accessible work environment for persons with a disability(ies).
Key Eligibility Requirements: Available for companies with between 1 and 50 employees (both part-time and full-time), including the business owner. Available Funds per Company: Up to $2,500
Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2023
Northern Development's Competitiveness Consulting Rebate
About: Provides a rebate to small and medium sized businesses in eligible industries for customized consulting services.
Key Eligibility Requirements: Best suited for manufacturers or suppliers, rather than installers. Companies must reside within the Northern Development region. Available Funds per Company: Up to 50% of consultant costs to a yearly maximum of $30,000. Deadline to Apply: ongoing Columbia Basin's Career Internship Program
About: Provides eligible employers with up to 50 per cent of an intern’s salary for full-time, career-focused positions that lead to permanent employment.
Key Eligibility Requirements: Companies must reside within the Columbia Basin Trust Region.
Available Funds per Company: Up to 50 per cent of an intern’s salary (up to $25,000 over a seven-to-12-month term). Deadline to Apply: ongoing |
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Agenda Announced - 2023 Contractor Forum
The HPSC is excited to bring back our in-person contractor forum this year. Join us for a day of interactive presentations, networking, and opportunities to help shape the future of the home performance industry in BC.
AGENDA Home Performance Success Stories: Retrofit Peer Panel with guest speakers:
Recruitment and Retention Strategies for your Retrofit Business with guest speakers: Funding and Financing Supports for you and your Customers with guest speakers from:
There will be dedicated networking time throughout the event, plus, rebate program partners (BC Hydro, FortisBC, and CleanBC) will be onsite to answer your questions.
Stay tuned for more guest speaker announcements. Click the link below to register today. Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Time: 9:30am-3:00pm Location: Langley Events Centre, 7888 200 St, Langley, BC V2Y 3J4 Cost: Free
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/contractor-forum-tickets-541973967727?aff=HPSCEnews |
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Find and Compare Sustainable Building Materials
Are you interested in learning about the environmental sustainability of building products?
Try out this free tool created by 2050 Materials. Using their online database, you can search for common building products used in your renovation work and compare sustainability metrics for different types and brands. For example, you can search the sustainability ratings of different types of siding, roofing materials, floors, doors, and many more products.
Try it out and tell us if it impacts the products you choose to use in your business. |
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BC Green Building Calendar
Check out the new BC Green Building Calendar, a resource to find all of the latest events and training related to green building subject matter, including: emissions, energy efficiency, resiliency, high-performance design, and more. |
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| Kootenay Women in Trades Meetup
Fruitvale | March 24, 2023 | Free
If you are a tradeswomen in the Kootenays, consider joining the Kootenay Women in Trades meetup this month. The event is led by the BC Centre for Women in the Trades regional representative Tatjana Martin.
To sign-up, request access to the Kootenay Women in Trades Facebook group and RSVP for the event. |
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| Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) Workshops and Forums
LEEP accelerates energy efficient construction by enabling builders and renovators to reduce their time and risk identifying, exploring, and adopting innovations in the residential construction industry. Initiated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) years ago, LEEP assists with bringing innovation into the market in a well thought-out and responsive way. LEEP is delivered regionally with the intention to establish an ongoing critical mass of builders and renovators that can identify the best innovations suited to their region which can, in turn, pull through a responsive supply chain.
Visit the CHBA LEEP webpage for more information on these upcoming events and to register:
- CHBA Sea to Sky: Squamish, March 24, 2023
- CHBA Northern BC: Prince George, March 28, 2023
- CHBA Vancouver Island: Nanaimo, March 30, 2023
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| FortisBC Offering 80% Subsidy Discount for HRAI Courses Limited Time Offer FortisBC will be subsidizing several of HRAI's most popular courses during the fall and winter months, by 80% off the regular price. This offer is only available to contractors in BC.
HPCN Registrants: This is a great opportunity to complete your HRAI/TECA training requirement. You will still be eligible for reimbursement of 100% of the course costs plus a contribution towards wages. Please note: This offer is not in combination with any other offer or discount from HRAI (including HRAI Membership discounts). The subsidy is available now until the funding and spots run out. |
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Air Sealing and Retrofits Online | On Demand | Free | Available to HPCN registrants/members only
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of air sealing for Part 9 (single family detached and attached) residential building retrofit contractors. The goal of this course is to inform contractors working in retrofit rebate programs of both the recommendations and best practices for air sealing to enhance consumer satisfaction and comfort, maximize energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions, and improve home durability. Register with the HPCN to access the course: homeperformance.ca/contractornetwork
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TECA Principles of Moving Air
Online | Classes starting March 22 | $659 + GST (non-members)
This course will benefit those working in the New, Retrofit or Repair portions of the industry. It was developed to give those who are designing or installing duct systems the ability to create quiet, efficient systems which deliver the required volumes while using the least fan energy. Today, furnaces, heat pumps and ventilation systems require larger volumes of air to be moved. Duct fitting shape, the number of fittings, air filters, coils all contribute to reduced flow in ductwork.
TECA Heat Loss/Heat Gain Course
Online | Classes Starting April 4 | $385 + GST (non-members)
The course is intended to help participants perform accurate and code-compliant heat loss and heat gain calculations. The BC Building Code calls for CSA F280-12 for calculation of heat loss and heat gain, for Part 9 buildings. The TECA Heat Loss / Gain software has been designed to give users an accurate and simple way to calculate heating and cooling loads by the CSA F280-12 calculation methods. |
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HRAI Residential Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculations
Online | Classes starting March 28, April 21, and May 2 | $1,295 + taxes
Based on the CSA Standard F280-12, students get a firsthand introduction of the basic principles of building science and heat loss/gain. Through various in-class exercises, the student will learn how to determine the thermal resistance (R value) of various building assemblies, such as walls and ceilings. Accurately, calculate room by room heat loss and gain while considering the influences of occupancy, exposure, ventilation, air leakage across the building envelope and more.
HRAI Basic Principles of Residential Ventilation
Online | On-Demand | $85 + taxes
Through this online course, participants are introduced to the basic principles of residential ventilation. The course starts by defining the concepts known as “House as a System”; the flow of air, heat and water and how these impact natural ventilation (i.e., air leakage). The course includes a description of the theory of mechanical airflow including air pressure, duct resistance and fan ratings. A review of the impact on combustion appliances, humidity levels and indoor air quality is also provided.
A discount code for these HRAI courses is accessible upon registration with the HPCN. |
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| Quality Installation of Insulation Retrofits in BC Homes
Online | On Demand | FREE for BC Contractors applying to the HPCN*
This course covers best practices for the quality installation of insulation in residential retrofit applications specific to single-family homes in British Columbia. Supported by the Province of BC, BC Hydro and FortisBC, this course is part of HPCN training requirements that will become mandatory for select rebate programs in 2022.
Quality Installation of Forced Air Furnace and Air Source Heat Pump Retrofits in BC Homes
Online | On Demand | FREE for BC Contractors applying to the HPCN*
This course covers best practices for the quality installation of furnaces and air-source heat pumps in residential retrofit applications specific to single-family homes in British Columbia. Supported by the Province of BC, BC Hydro and FortisBC, this course is part of HPCN training requirements that will become mandatory for select rebate programs in 2022.
*Home Performance Contractor Network – limited time offer. Discount code available upon registration. |
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2021 Revised - Best Practice Guide for Replacement Window and Doors
Digital ($150) or Print ($290) (non-member prices)
Developed ─ and newly revised ─ by the Fenestration Association of BC and BC Housing, this guide applies current building science and best practices to the replacement of windows and doors in wood-frame residential buildings. It provides practical information and useful guidelines to help ensure these products are replaced in a way that improves the durability of building enclosures in existing buildings. It specifically addresses the unique challenges presented by BC’s coastal climate, which has inspired advancements in building envelope technology that have been adopted around the world.
Did you know? This guide is a required resource for registration with the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN). Contractors registering with the HPCN are eligible for a discounted copy of the guide. Learn more at homeperformance.ca/contractornetwork
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Building Science for Renovations Online | On-Demand | $449
The goal of this course is to provide renovators like you with an introduction to the basic knowledge needed to perform your job as a business owner or manager. By completing this course you'll gain a foundational understanding of the best practices for running a professional and successful renovation business in Canada. Note: there is a final exam at the end of the online course.
Course topics include: - General principles for business owners and managers
- Health and safety concerns
- Customer service
- Human resources
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Design considerations and building science
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| Become a Program-Qualified Energy Advisor
Ongoing Applications
Program-Qualified Energy Advisors (PQEAs) are EnerGuide Rating System registered energy advisors (working with Service Organizations licensed through Natural Resources Canada) who have completed additional BC rebate program-focused orientation training. To access the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs Energy Advisor Supported Rebates homeowners must use a PQEA to deliver the required EnerGuide home energy evaluations.
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This list of training and events is compiled for your information. The HPSC is not affiliated with any of the third party organizations providing training or hosting events.
Know of other professional development opportunities? Let us know at info@homeperformance.ca |
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