Course Description

New requirements for energy efficient housing and buildings require changes to existing building envelope design and construction techniques. In addition, construction in the coastal region of BC is sensitive to high moisture levels resulting in materials deterioration and failure. It is essential that construction technologists, designers, and builders are familiar with building envelope application technologies and even more so with high energy efficiency envelope systems.



The ABC of the BC Energy Step Code and how BCIT is gearing up to support industry with a creative suite of programs will be discussed in this seminar. Using hands-on elements found in the BCIT High Performance Building Lab, Alex Hebert will briefly discuss key principles of high performance buildings including: insulation, windows, air tightness, thermal bridges and heat recovery ventilation.


Topic 1: BCIT’s high performance building lab and BC Energy Step Code 


Learning objectives:
1.Understand the novelty of the BC Energy Step Code
2.Know the key performance metrics associated to the BC Energy Step Code
3.Understand the link between the above metrics and the key principles of high performance buildings
4.Discover examples of wall assembly details leading to near zero energy buildings.

Topic 2: Airtightness – How to achieve it, how to test it?
Learning Objectives:
1.Understand what is an air barrier
2.Explain why an air barrier is an essential component of an energy efficient building
3.Know a series of air barrier strategies that can be applied to different buildings


Approved for CPD credits: 1.0 in Construction Technology
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

    • Part 1
  • 2

    Chapter 2

    • Part 2
  • 3

    Chapter 3

    • Part 3
  • 4

    Chapter 4

    • Part 4

    • Feedback

    • Declaration of Completed Work Assignment

Alex Hebert, BCIT and Troy Glasner, E3 Eco Group Inc.

Alex Hebert, Manager, Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings, BCITAlex is a professional engineer with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Sherbrooke University). He completed a MBA with a focus in sustainability (UBC). Alex also studied at the School of Economics and Management at the Tsinghua University in Beijing and completed a certificate in Sustainable Energy Management at the BC Institute of technology (BCIT).Alexandre is now responsible for a BCIT portfolio designed to build the capacity required in British Columbia to accelerate the construction of near zero energy buildings. Alex is also a part-time instructor in the energy management certificate at BCIT and in the Building Operator Certification course at CIET and, author of courses such as Decision Making for Energy Manager and Hands-on Introduction to Zero Energy Buildings. Finally, Alex is an official trainer for the BC Housing Building “Smart with the BC Energy Step Code” seminars.Troy Glasner, Principal, E3 Eco Group Inc.Troy Glasner has become an advocate for building with energy efficiency, sustainability and health in mind. His 12 years of experience in the industry, on both the product and the consulting side, enables him to source manufacturers and service providers for our clients that offer the highest standards in quality, delivery and service. His focus has been on single-family and multi-unit residential energy evaluations and energy consulting. He has extensive experience in building science practices and the development of high performance building envelopes geared towards zero energy consumption. Troy provides Building Science for New Homes training, Certified Energy Advisor training and serves on both the LEED for Homes and the Built Green Canada Technical Advisory Subcommittees.