Residential Site Visit: An Introduction to Energy Upgrades

| Prosper Portland In-Person Training; NO COST |


Learn how to spot common home energy upgrade opportunities, understand what you’re seeing in the field, and have better conversations with customers before recommending work.


This training is a part of the Green Construction Contractor Development Program, which provides training and support to residential construction business owners looking to enter or grow their services in green construction. Qualified participants will have access to free training, certification support, one-on-one navigation, up to $5,000 in financial support for BPI trainees, and access to low-cost loans.

This training is designed for residential construction business owners, managers, and key staff who are curious about green construction, home energy upgrades, energy efficiency programs, or PCEF-funded retrofit work. You do not need prior green construction or building science experience to benefit from this training.

This session is especially useful for contractors interested in next-step BPI training, including Building Science Principles (BSP), Building Analyst Technician (BA-T), and/or Building Analyst Professional (BA-P).

After completing the program application, a navigator will reach out with next steps. *Please note that filling out this form does not automatically register you for the course.*

Overview

Length: 2.5 Hours

This introductory site visit will help contractors connect their existing trade experience to home energy upgrades and future opportunities in energy retrofit work.

Participants will walk through a real Portland home with Earth Advantage instructors and use a simple visual screening form to identify common energy upgrade opportunities. The training will show how the building enclosure, insulation, air leakage, ductwork, mechanical equipment, ventilation, water heating, and appliances interact as part of a whole-home system.

This practical, field-based training will help contractor owners, managers, and key staff build confidence before taking classroom-based training such as BPI Building Science Principles. Participants will practice walking through a home, spotting common issues, and understanding when a home may need testing or follow-up before recommending energy upgrades.

Date & Time

Participants will attend one of the following four sessions: 

  • September 17 from 9-11:30AM
  • September 17 from 12:30-3PM
  • September 24 from 9-11:30AM
  • September 24 from 12:30-3PM

*Spanish support available on September 24
 


Recommended Audience

This training is designed for residential contractor businesses and key staff who want to better understand home energy upgrades, existing-home retrofit work, and BPI training pathways.

  • Contractor owners, managers, and project leads
  • Remodelers and general contractors
  • HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors working with heat pumps or heat pump water heaters
  • Insulation, air-sealing, weatherization, and home performance contractors
  • Lead installers, field staff, or crew leads who help identify or complete home energy upgrade work
  • Builders or new construction pros interested in transitioning into existing-home retrofit work
Level: Introductory to Intermediate
This training is a good fit for contractors who are new to home energy upgrades, as well as experienced tradespeople who want a stronger whole-home understanding before taking BPI or other related technical training.
 

Continuing Education

OR CCB: 2.5 CEUs
 


Trainers



Waylon White | Earth Advantage | View Bio



Jason Elton | Earth Advantage | View Bio

 


Host


Shaun Hassel
| Earth Advantage | View Bio

 


This training is made possible at no cost thanks in part to Prosper Portland and PCEF.

   


Questions? Contact us below or call (503) 968-7160.