Hi friend, Welcome to the February 2023 edition of HPSC Monthly. This month, we bring you these top stories and more: - Registration is now open for our in-person Contractor Forum!
- Update on the City of Vancouver’s municipal rebate offers
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Home Retrofit Program Workshop - share your ideas with program designers
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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. Topics will include: - tools and resources to support your retrofit business,
- home performance in action - real stories and case studies,
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networking across industry sectors,
- the future of home performance in BC, and more!
Detailed agenda and list of guest speakers to be announced soon. 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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CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program: Update on the City of Vancouver’s Municipal Offers
Vancouver municipal top-ups and rebates for heat pumps and electric service upgrades are changing on April 1, 2023.
Households in Vancouver that are eligible for heat pump and/or electric service upgrade rebates should be aware that customers with invoices dated on or after April 1, 2023, will no longer be eligible for some rebates, or will receive different rebate values. See the table below for details: |
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To qualify for these municipal offers, customers must reside in the legal boundary of the City of Vancouver. Program requirements are reviewed based on invoice date.
Additional requirements and terms and conditions apply. For details, visit BetterHomesBC.ca.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why are the City of Vancouver’s municipal top-up offers changing?
In support of their climate action goals, the City of Vancouver is modifying their portfolio of municipal top-up offers to increase support for electrification-related upgrades. Effective April 1, 2023, offers will be available for all-electric heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, with increased support for electric service upgrades when converting from a fossil fuel heating system. This adjustment will provide support to a greater number of homeowners in Vancouver.
Where can I find more information on municipal top-ups available across British Columbia?
Information regarding current municipal offers is available at betterhomesbc.ca/municipal-offers. Customers can also search for municipal offers using the Rebate Search Tool.
Are municipal top-up offers guaranteed? No. Due to the limited nature of municipal top-up funding, CleanBC cannot guarantee that municipal top-up rebates will be available to homeowners. Homeowners who live in municipalities where the top-ups are fully subscribed will not receive a top-up rebate but are still eligible for the CleanBC Better Homes rebate.
Contact CleanBC Better Homes at betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca or the City of Vancouver at cleanenergy@vancouver.ca if you have additional questions or comments. |
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Home Retrofit Program Workshop
ZEBx and CEA are hosting a workshop in the Home Retrofit Program series on March 2 from 10:00am-12:00pm PST. The focus of this session is the contractor perspective, specifically, what value can a concierge service provide to contractors and how can they work together to scale retrofits?
The purpose of these workshops is to learn how different players in the home retrofit space can better align, coordinate and/or converge efforts across the province of BC to support low-carbon retrofits in single-family homes. ZEBx and CEA asre inviting local governments, concierge service providers, and contractors to this discussion to share their perspectives and learn from one-another. This is an excellent opportunity to share your experience with retrofit programs and ideas for how they can be improved.
Date: Thursday, March 2 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm PST Location: Webinar
Cost: Free
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/zebxcea-home-retrofit-programs-research-series-contractor-perspective-tickets-489938618597 Note: spaces are limited so register early. |
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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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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 Central Okanagan: Kelowna, March 2, 2023
- CHBA Fraser Valley: Abbotsford, March 9, 2023
- CHBA Sea to Sky: Squamish, March 24, 2023
- CHBA Northern BC: Prince George, March 28, 2023
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CHBA Vancouver Island: Nanaimo, March 30, 2023
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| HVACR Perspectives on Climate Change Vancouver | March 7, 2023 | $50-65
With Canada's aggressive Climate Change Action Plans, how can the industry be a resource for policymakers and regulatory bodies when developing public programs?
These comprehensive and interactive panel discussion sessions are designed to help connect HRAI members and industry professionals with the policymakers and climate change champions in their specific regions.
Speakers include industry experts (representing the manufacturing, wholesaler and commercial/residential contractor segments) and government/utility representatives. |
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Introduction into Mechanical Insulation with BC Insulators 118 Coquitlam | March 13-17, 2023 | Free
BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) and BC Insulators 118 are recruiting for two 1-week fully funded Introduction to Mechanical Insulation courses. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and qualified individuals will be dispatched to work. Participants will learn more about insulation, firestopping, various tools, and different types of insulation during this 5-day course. For more information and to apply, email: kburrows@bccwitt.ca
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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 Jan 23 | $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 Jan 30 | $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 Jan 23, Feb 7, and Mar 28 | $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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© Home Performance Stakeholder Council 6th Floor, 905 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC, V6C 1L6 |
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