Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP)

Develop the technical expertise to design and build high performance homes.

Overview
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Training dates have passed - Check our Education Calendar for up to date offerings


Join the Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP) program and learn cutting edge building best practices from our expert instructor, Stephen Aiguier of Green Hammer, as he guides participants through the entire spectrum of high performance building best practices and shares practical insights on the following:

  • Building science fundamentals & moisture management
  • High performance wall & roof assemblies 
  • HVAC product selection & integrated system design
  • Water conservation techniques
  • Indoor air quality, green material considerations & health impacts
  • Local green/energy efficiency building programs & incentives
SHP is a comprehensive, interactive, experience-driven education program for residential and multifamily building and design professionals looking to take their work to the next level of quality. 

Each of the six monthly modules can be taken individually and each module provides participants with an opportunity to gain valuable insights and eliminate common barriers to high performance building via: 

  • Lecture, discussion, hands-on exercises, & short assignments 
  • Guest speakers that share past projects, experience, & expertise on issues that are critical to successful sustainable building
  • Two tours of under-construction or recently-completed certified homes with builders & raters on-site to explain approaches, reveal benefits, & answer questions
  • A final project that progresses throughout the course and puts principles into practice by guiding participants in designing their own high performance building or research project
A certification exam at the end of the course allows participants to earn the designation of an accredited Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP). Earth Advantage also provides marketing support to help graduates gain visibility as informed green professionals.

The SHP accreditation program was first offered in 2008 and has since has been offered over 20 times across Oregon, all the while maintaining a longstanding reputation for depth, applied learning, and outstanding quality. SHP is complementary to other industry credentials, like LEED AP, LEED GA, SBA, CPHC, BPI, HERS, and many others. Sustainable Homes Professionals are architects, planners, builders, remodelers, engineers, consultants, real estate professionals, educators, and building operators who value quality craftsmanship, whole system thinking, and sustainable practices.

Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20. 
 
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Learning Objectives
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  • Overcome common barriers & misconceptions of high performance building
  • Analyze the costs & benefits of incorporating sustainable building measures
  • Take advantage of financial incentives and technical assistance offered by governments, utilities and non-profit organizations
  • Identify the full breadth of best practices from site layout to flooring selection
  • Enhance your knowledge of building science & how a home functions as a system
  • Establish a sustainable design goal by incorporating energy, water, & resource efficiency while maintaining a safe, comfortable, healthy building
  • Gain a builder/designer-centric approach to achieving the following certification standards: Passive HouseZero EnergyEarth Advantage®LEED®EPSENERGY STARLiving Building Challenge, & more.

Benefits

  • 10 site visit tours to certified homes and 5 guest speaker presentations (see photos)
  • Guest access to the EA Home Certification online points worksheet for final project review & submission
  • Professional differentiation that comes with accredited SHP designation and use of logo
  • Personal listing in the professional registry on the Earth Advantage website
  • Valuable networking opportunities with green building experts and fellow accredited SHPs that will help you develop a strong referral network
  • Marketing strategies & support to strengthen the business case for green building
  • SHP Manual, Resource Guide and the following course textbooks:
  • Discounts on future Earth Advantage courses and events
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When & Where
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Portland, OR 
Earth Advantage Classroom 
623 SW Oak Street, Third Floor, Portland, OR 97205 (map)

October 20, 2017 - April 7, 2018
  • 6 monthly 2-day modules
  • All classes will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Individual modules can be taken in random order over various sessions to achieve SHP accreditation
 
Course Modules Portland, OR
Fall 2017 
Module 1: Green Building Intro & Integrated Design Oct 20 & 21
Module 2: Building Science Fundamentals Dec 1 & 2
Module 3: High Performance Building Envelopes Jan 5 & 6
Module 4: Mechanical Systems and Performance Testing Feb 2 & 3
Module 5: Health, Materials, and Water Mar 2 & 3
Module 6: Final Presentations and Certification Exam Apr 6 & 7

CEs & Cost
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Continuing Education 
AIA: 84 total LU/HSW for all 6 modules;14 per module   
BPI: 35 total units for all 6 modules; 7 per module 1-5   
CCB: 84 for all 6 modules; 14 per module  
CPHC: 14 CEs for Module 2; 7 CEs for Module 3   
OCHI: 42 CEs for all 6 modules; 14 per module 2-5   
Living Future Accred: 7 CEs per Modules 2-3; 14 CEs max (available upon request)   
OR Real Estate Agency: 84 total CEs for all 6 modules; 14 per module  
OR Appraiser Board (ACLB): 28 total CEs for modules 4 & 5; 14 per module 4 & 5   
EA Broker Renewal: 84 total CEs;14 per module  
AGA Renewal: 84 total CEs;14 per module

Course Fee

Discounts
  • Full-tuition scholarships no longer available 
  • $100 Early Bird Discount ends Oct. 6 
  • $100 Group Discount for 2 or more 
  • Energy Trust Trade Ally Reimbursements may apply. Email existinghomesdevelopmentfund@energytrust.org to request pre-approval.
Interested but can't commit just yet? Fill out our Interest Form and we'll be sure to keep you updated on future course developments and opportunities.
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Audience
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Architects, Builders/Contractors, Consultants, Home Inspectors, Raters/Verifiers, Remodelers

Instructor(s)
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Stephen Aiguier
Stephen Aiguier: 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. An SHP, Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), and building science expert, he has been a pioneer of Oregon’s green building movement and has been involved with many of the nation's highest scoring LEED Platinum Homes and first residential and commercial Passive House buildings in the Pacific NW. Stephen has been invited to speak at every major green building conference across the country and he has taught the SHP course annually since 2010.
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