Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP)

 

Course Level: 400          |          Course Length: 6 monthly two-day modules

This interactive six-month certification program will help you develop the technical expertise to design and build high performance homes. Each two-day module integrates lecture and discussion, hands-on exercises, a guest speaker and two tours of certified homes. Outside work includes homework assignments, readings and a final project that puts principles into practice. Our expert instructor, Stephen Aiguier (CPHC, Pres. & Founder of Green Hammer), has used building science and passive house practices to advance the standards of green building, and he shares practical tips to guide participants through their own green projects. A certification exam allows participants to earn the designation of a Certified Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP). Earth Advantage Institute provides marketing support to help graduates gain visibility as informed green professionals. Please visit our FAQ page for information on frequently asked questions about the course. 

“Since receiving my SHP certificate in the fall, I have been able to up-sell two different projects on energy/efficiency upgrades, expand a smaller kitchen/bath remodel job into a much larger whole-house approach that addresses a long-term vision of efficient living, and am currently proposing another whole-house retrofit. I attribute much of these additional sales to the knowledge gained during the SHP course. I have greater confidence and knowledge when discussing energy efficiency, advanced building concepts, solar/alt-energy options and future planning, and, generally, green building as a whole.”

— Ryan Weeden, SHP & Owner, Four Square Design Build LLC

Learning Objectives

  • Learn sustainable building best practices from award-winning building science experts
  • Gain a builder/designer-centric approach to Passive House, 
    Net-Zero, Living Building Challenge, Earth Advantage® Homes, 
    LEED® for Homes, and other certification program standards
  • Enhance your understanding of building science, Passive House, and
    how a home functions as a system 
  • Learn what it means for a home to be energy, water, and resource
    efficient while maintaining a safe, comfortable, healthy building
  • Explore the full breadth of sustainable building practices from site layout 
    to flooring selection
  • Hands-on final project provides the opportunity to put principles into
    practice over the course of 6 months using a real-life examples
  • Obtain the expertise to secure projects that are planned to be built green


Benefits
  • Distinguish yourself from other building professionals with Certified SHP designation and use of logo
  • Valuable networking opportunities with customers and other building experts, as well as over 100 Certified Sustainable Homes Professionals
  • Gain marketing strategies & support to strengthen the business case for green building
  • Course includes SHP Manual and Resource Guide, as well as the following course textbooks: Residential Energy (by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi) & Builder’s Guide to Mixed-Humid Climates (by Joseph Lstiburek)
  • Personalized listing on the Earth Advantage Institute website
  • Discounts on other Earth Advantage Institute courses and events
  • Participation in LinkedIn online group forum

 

Course Modules:

All classes listed below take place from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
at Earth Advantage Institute in Downtown Portland, OR

Individual Modules cost $295 each and can be taken at different
times and in random order to achieve SHP Certification.

 

 PDX 2013

Module 1: Sustainable Homes: Introduction, Philosophy 
& Integrated Design Process  

Module 2: Building Science Fundamentals

Module 3: High Performance Building Envelopes

Module 4: Mechanical Systems and Performance Testing      

Module 5: Health, Materials, and Water

Module 6: Final Presentations and Certification Exam

Jan. 25-26


Feb. 22-23

Mar. 15-16

Apr. 19-20

May 17-18

June 14-15

Instructors

Stephen Aiguier (Portland, OR Courses)
Stephen founded Green Hammer in 2002, evolving the business into a full service design-build firm committed to advancing the highest standards for green building. In the first few years of operation, Stephen led Green Hammer in building five of the nation’s highest scoring LEED Platinum homes. A Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and building science expert, Stephen has been involved with many of the first residential and commercial Passive House buildings in the Pacific Northwest. 

A stern advocate for the protection of wilderness areas and restoration of natural forests, Stephen has supported countless non-profits and campaigns to both protect wild places and to responsibly steward our natural resources. In 2008, Stephen spearheaded Green Hammer becoming the first and only Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (COC) certified building firm in the United States. In 2004 Stephen co-founded Urban Timber Works, an FSC certified milling operation that transforms urban salvaged trees from the Portland metro area into artisan furniture. In 2005, Stephen co-founded the Build Local Alliance as a forum for connecting local FSC certified forest stewards to builders and architects in the Portland region. 

Rarely is such a wealth of knowledge, passion and expertise found in an individual so willing to share with the world. Stephen has been invited to speak in front of thousands of people at every major green building conference in the United States, and he regularly blogs for the Daily Journal of Commerce and Sustainable Business Oregon. 

In 2011, Stephen was named one of Portland Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, and as one of Sustainable Business Oregon’s Top 10 Sustainable Built Environment Leaders to Watch in 2012.

John Spillman (Salem, OR Courses)
John is a trainer and technical consultant with Earth Advantage Institute. He teaches classes to Energy Auditors, Builders, Architects/Designers and Building Code officials. John has been promoting sustainable building and energy efficiency in both new and existing residential construction with Earth Advantage Institute since 2009. John’s construction background is in residential remodeling. He is currently an Oregon general contractor, a certified professional with the Building Performance Institute, and a LEED for Homes Green Rater. John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of California, Davis

Prerequisites/Requirements

Students enrolling in SHP should be able to perform basic math calculations and should be familiar with basic construction principles. Beginning computer skills are needed to complete online quizzes and participate in the online group forum. SHP certification requires full attendance and the successful completion of quizzes, homework assignments, a final project and presentation, and a closed-book online examination, with a minimum final course grade of 75%. Students are allowed to retake the exam once to receive a passing grade. 


Credits/Accreditations

AIA: 84 learning units for all 6 modules, 14 learning units for modules 2, 3, 4 or 5
CCB: 80 elective hours and 4 core hours (codes)  for all 6 modules; 2 core hours (codes) and 12 elective hours each for modules 2 and 3; 14 elective hours each for modules 4 and 5
BPI: 42 continuing education units for all 6 modules, 7 units for each individual module
OR Real Estate Agency: 84 hours for all 6 modules, 14 hours for each individual module (with principal broker approval)
Clackamas Community College: 6 college credits (100-level) for all 6 modules, 1 credits for each individual module

 

Course Fee

Regular

Cost

       

* Including

funding

Earth Advantage Builders, EA Professionals,
EA Sponsors (early bird ended January 11, 2013):

Earth Advantage Builders, EA Professionals, EA Sponsors:

HBA Members, CSBA's, PHnw Members, Affiliate Members (early bird):

HBA Members, CSBA's, PHnw Members, Affiliate Members: 

General Admission (early bird):   

General Admission:

        


$1,300

$1,400

$1,400

$1,500

 $1,525

$1,625

        


$710

$810

$810

$910

$935

$1,035

"The course offers enough variety that anyone can benefit from taking it. Whether you are going for ENERGY STAR® or Passive House certification and everything in between, the curriculum is challenging and yet moldable enough to apply to all types of building professionals with varied backgrounds. It is the most diverse and inclusive high-performance homes professional certification available." 

— Tyler Coke, SHP 2012

 

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Harper at  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503-968-7160 x25.

+ Please review EAI's course registration and cancellation policies HERE.

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