Course Description

This course examines the ‘House as a System’ and the importance of taking a holistic building approach to control the home’s overall performance through better management of the cause-and-effect relationships between various systems and components.
 
Although not a new concept, understanding how the house works as a system and the consequences of not mitigating system integrations is becoming more complicated -- consider how changing the size of an HVAC system, if the rest of the home is not considered, can affects a home’s ventilation and dewpoints, and potentially result in condensation and other disastrous effects.  This seminar will walk attendees through a sample house as it gets upgraded to higher performance levels, and identify when secondary requirements/system changes are triggered.

Topics:

  • Making airtightness, ventilation and indoor air quality work together
  • Avoiding a double vapour barrier
  • Risks of solar heat gain
  • “Right sizing” heating equipment
  • Role of the homeowner


Approved for 1.0 CPD Credits in Relevant Enactments

Note: If you have already taken this course in person, repeating it online will not qualify for additional CPD points.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1

    • Before You Get Started

    • Agreement to HAVAN Academic Integrity Policy

    • Presenter's PowerPoint Download

    • Part 1
  • 2

    Chapter 2

    • Part 2
  • 3

    Chapter 3

    • Part 3

    • Feedback

    • Declaration of Completed Work Assignment

Project Manager

Emma Conway, E3 Eco Group Inc.

Emma Conway is a project manager with E3 Eco Group Inc. She is an energy advisor with experience modeling, testing and consulting on part 9 buildings in the City of Vancouver and other parts of Metro Vancouver.  Emma works with builders to develop appropriate construction specifications which allow the building to reach its energy performance target while being constructable and mindful of potential issues.