Blog

BC Energy Step Code: Here's why BC builders need only modules 3, 4, and 5

Shawna HendersonNovember 17, 2022

In fact, Blue House Energy only offers these 3 out of the 8 mandatory modules — why? Envelope First. That’s why. Blue House Energy online construction courses - Building Science, Construction Technology, Net Zero Energy - all emphasize understanding the envelope first, then understanding the fundamentals of HVAC systems. Our experience...

Meet Donald Fast - Building Performance Engineer

Shawna HendersonOctober 25, 2022

A summary of conversation between BHE’s Program Coordinator Carla Harder (CH) and Introduction to HOT2000 Modelling instructor, Donald Fast (DF) from Capital Home Energy. You can watch or read through our conversation with Donald.   CH:  So, tell me a little bit about what you were doing before you actually...

Meet Toby Smith - Energy Advisor and Trainer

Shawna HendersonSeptember 28, 2022

A summary of conversation between BHE’s Program Coordinator Carla Harder (CH) and Introduction to HOT2000 Modelling instructor, Toby Smith (TS) from Building Knowledge Canada. You can watch or read through our conversation with Toby.     CH: Toby, it's nice to chat with you again! What you were doing before...

What a Difference a Decade Makes!

Shawna HendersonAugust 30, 2022

Blue House Energy started out as a thought experiment: how could we deliver standardized training in building science and construction technology to as many people as possible. First, it was Shawna criss-crossing the province, the country, the continent. Ya, right. Single mom away for most of the year? Not gonna...

We’re celebrating a decade of Seriously Enjoyable Learning!

Shawna HendersonAugust 16, 20221 comment

Check out our website for surprise discounts on different courses through the end of October 2022 - when we are officially 10. We’re ramping up our celebrations, starting with 10 random draws. Starting today, when you buy a course, your name will be put into the proverbial hat, and if...

Changes to Licensing Requirements for BC Builders 2022

Shawna HendersonAugust 12, 2022

The BC Energy Step Code came into force in April 2017. Currently, local governments have the authority to require builders to meet one or more steps. New homes built under the Step Code need to be 20 per cent more energy efficient than the baseline or reference house - that’s...

New Training Partner!

Shawna HendersonJuly 26, 2022

We’re pleased to announce that Efficiency Nova Scotia is now offering Construction Technology, Envelope Fundamentals and BGC Net Zero Energy for New Construction as ongoing professional development for their Preferred Partner Network. EPP Members get a 50% discount! Direct links to BHE offerings: Construction Technology Envelope Fundamentals BGC Net Zero...

Energy Advisor in the Field: Tips on being a Contractor or an Employee

Shawna HendersonJuly 14, 2022

One of the people who has gone through Blue House Energy’s Foundation Exam Prep and Energy Advisor Exam Prep program wrote to me and asked this question:  “I currently have two offers of employment to get me going as an EA. One is as a contractor, paid on a per...

This Must Be The Place, Season 3: Another 18 Episodes of BS*

Shawna HendersonJuly 06, 2022

Hard to believe, but 7 July is the launch of Season Three of This Must Be the Place: The Building Science podcast! With 36 great episodes under our belt, we decided to change things up a bit for this season. Our next 18 episodes will be broken into three themes,...

Learn on the Road: Building Construction Technology Online Courses Now in Audio

Shawna HendersonJune 16, 2022

We know where you live. In your vehicle. And you like podcasts. It used to be that listening to the radio was the norm while driving, or when working on a construction site. CBC Radio 1 used to be on all day, every day on most sites when Blue House...

How 18 Building Science Podcasts Make Me A Better Person

Shawna HendersonJune 07, 20221 comment

Listening to podcasts is a great way to expand your understanding of the world. As a podcaster myself, I love to ask questions and then sit back and listen to other people’s stories and their takes on our industry, and how the built environment affects each and every one of...

International Women's Day

Shawna HendersonMarch 08, 2022

This year marks the second season of This Must Be The Place- The Building Science Podcast. Shawna has welcomed a number of women to the table for thoughtful, engaging conversation in all areas of the sector. Listen to how they inspire change and innovation to help create better building practices, policy, and guidelines that impact energy efficiency.

Adventures with Monitors, Humidifiers and Filters

Shawna HendersonMarch 03, 2022

What do building science wonks do in the vague days between Christmas and New Years? They eat and rest and eat and rest, and then get bored and start to wonder about things like relative humidity, indoor air quality, air cleaners and filtration, and how they relate to their own house. Well, that’s what I did this year.

HEPA Filters - 3 Key Things You Need to Know for Classrooms

Shawna HendersonJanuary 10, 2022

I bought a tested HEPA portable air cleaner for my main living space to help reduce viral and allergen loads. It’s doing a good job. The specifications for 170 s.f. space are shown to the right. Each model shows three ‘CADR’ (Clean Air Delivery Rate) measurements, one for tobacco smoke,...

Sexism in the construction industry - Shawna Henderson joins CBC’s “The Current” to discus

Shawna HendersonDecember 13, 2021

Join Blue House Energy CEO Shawna Henderson and owner of Belle Construction Kendall Ansen on CBC's "The Current" podcast, as they discuss the history of sexism in the construction industry, and its effect on women leaving the trades.   Listen to the podcast here