Events & Training

This online workshop will help you make the leap from standard market-driven construction to a quality "green" home. We will discuss site design, building envelope design, climatic design, durable construction detailing, energy efficiency, passive and active solar strategies, resource-efficient material choices, indoor air quality, high performance building systems, heating and cooling equipment, sustainable forestry, and the ineffability of day-light and beauty.

This course covers a range of topics that inform the design of a healthy, delightful, green home. Informed by over 35 years of experience building and teaching, this course uses a "flipped classroom" model, so the class time is devoted to discussion and questions related to student's projects.

Pre-recorded lectures will be available for prior viewing and class discussions will be far-ranging. It is anticipated that students will come prepared to fully engage with the material they've reviewed in advance. Students get the most out of this course if they have their own project to which they can relate the course material and ask questions in discussion. Green Home Design & Details is for homeowners and those planning a new home or addition who want to refine their goals for energy efficiency and sustainable resource use.

This course is also useful for professionals who wish to increase their knowledge of green design and construction.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS OF WEATHERIZATION 101 Certification – Students will earn an OSHA-10 certificate for job site and construction safety – an essential certification for anyone entering the profession and one valued by employers. Weatherization – Students will learn the principles of home-energy efficiency and building science. They will practice the weatherization techniques of air sealing, foam and cellulose application, proper ventilation, and moisture barrier setup. The curriculum follows the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Installer/Technician guidelines. Carpentry & Construction – Students will learn how to properly and safely use carpentry power and hand tools; carpentry vocabulary and job-site rules; and residential construction-techniques. Students will also learn construction math, job site safety, materials handling, and construction drawings and blueprints.

Glavel’s first manufacturing facility will be operational this November. In anticipation of this momentous event, we are celebrating by inviting contractors, architects, specifiers, installers, engineers, etc., to the facility for a first look. We’ll have Glavel on-site for interested parties to interact with the material and see it in practice. There’ll be daily sessions at 8:00am and 3:00pm during the week of September 13-17 to fit your schedule. For more information, fill out the form on the registration page and we’ll be in touch with available time slots.

31st Annual Vermont Builders and Remodelers Association Golf Classic:

8:00 am- Registration

9:00 am- Start

2:00 pm- Lunch Award Banquet - Join as a team, individual, or just come for the food!

Price includes registration coffee & bagels, greens fees, carts, snack bags, and award BBQ.

Register at the VBRA event webpage.

Hosted at the Habitat for Humanity facility in Barre. A unit will be wall-mounted in the basement with a couple of 3" runs installed and and connected to the distribution boxes. The demonstration will include how to connect the 3" runs. John Rockwell from Zehnder will be bringing the 9" exhaust and intake ducts to show how easily they connect. John Rockwell, Zehnder rep will explain the difference between ERV's and HRV's and why we are moving towards ERV's in Vermont.

Join Chuck Clerici of Efficiency Vermont & Doug Hoffman of Pioneer Motors & Drives to learn where VFD applications make sense, how they can significantly reduce energy consumption and about significant VFD rebates from Efficiency Vermont.

This educational event hosted by Vermont Green Building Network will feature inspiring speakers that will bring to light the intersection of climate change and social justice and how these issues connect to the built environment. The speakers, Ace McArleton of New Frameworks Design/Build and Jude Smith Rachele of Abundant Sun, will then participate in a panel discussion to be moderated by VGBN Board Member and Middlebury College Professor, Shelly Pottorf.

Join Jordan Engel, with Yaskawa, to explore typical HVAC variable frequency drive (VFD) applications, and performance factors. This training will cover the influence of harmonics on VFD selection and mitigation options. Lastly, Jordan will review low harmonic drive equipment that Yaskawa offer. There will be time for questions on VFD applications, installation and maintenance as well as Efficiency Vermont incentives.

SunCommon, the Vermont chapter of the Sierra Club, and Drive Electric Vermont are co-hosting the Sun CARnival to celebrate National Drive Electric Week. The event will be hosted at the Old Hannafords, next to Lowes on Hannafords Drive in South Burlington on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

Are you a driver willing to bring your car to display or give test rides? Please RSVP here!

They will have dozens of electric vehicle models on display, some available for test rides. Some of the local car dealers will be present as well to give test drives. We will also have e-bikes available for test rides and electric lawn care for people looking for more information.

For other entertainment, there will be live music, performed by Dave Keller, free ice cream, and lawn games.

Join the Bennington County Regional Commission for an electric vehicle show on September 25th as part of National Drive Electric Week. Attendees will be able to talk with EV owners about their experiences driving electric, and learn about different EV models from several local dealers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view and learn about e-bikes, and learn about energy efficiency from local energy organizations. The event will be held at the Bennington District Courthouse from 10-1pm, simultaneously with the Bennington Farmers Market which offers live music and several local produce vendors.

This will be an outdoor event and will comply with local, state, and national COVID-19 requirements.

Participants will receive the skills and knowledge to balance the airflows of Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRV/ERVs). They will also have an overview of the installation and measurement requirements. An HRAI checklist for installation and servicing of HRVs and ventilation systems will be made available, for use when on the job. After an instructor-led demonstration, participants will be divided into two groups to complete a hands-on assessment of balancing and a brief exam on installation requirements and the theory and application of air flow measurement. Participants are encouraged to bring their own measuring equipment and use it in a comfortable learning environment.

Major Takeaways:

• Certification as an HRV/ERV Balancer, which is recognized by many jurisdictions
• The ability to use a variety of flow measuring devices to measure and balance airflow
• A good understanding of installation practices

Prerequisite: Details vary depending on the local code, so participants are required to attend HRAI’s Residential Ventilation using Section 9.32 of the Building Code OR Residential Ventilation using CSA F326 course before being able to attend the HRV/ERV Installation & Balancing Fundamentals course.

Please join the Vermont Sierra Club as they culminate National Drive Electric Week with a celebration in front of the Vermont Statehouse. This event will include a meetup of Electric Vehicle (EV) owners, information about EVs, and a display showing support for rapidly electrifying transportation in Vermont.

If you drive an electric vehicle, you are encouraged to drive it to this event! They will have designated parking and a special gift for those who bring their EV. This event is near the Montpelier Farmer’s Market, so you can help support local agriculture while displaying your EV.

Bethel celebrates National Drive Electric Month

Are you curious about Electric Vehicles? Do you have one you would like to share? This event is for you! Join your friends and neighbors for a day of Electric Vehicle conversation, demonstration, and fun! Sponsored by the Bethel Forward Festival and hosted by the Bethel Energy Committee.

• Learn about Electric Vehicles
• Share your experience
• Enjoy a day in scenic Bethel

Join Alex Rowe of Efficiency Vermont to explore the ways your controls contractor and Efficiency Vermont can help you reduce HVAC operating costs across your business facilities.

Join Efficiency Vermont to learn about heat pumps and weatherizing your home or business! This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the Vermont incentives for weatherization and heat pumps. Weatherization contractors and local partners will be at the event to meet with you one-on-one. This event is free and open to the public at the Barton Memorial Building at 19 Village Square.

This presentation will cover:

• OSHA’s Regulatory Compliance Requirements for Residential & Commercial Construction Employers
• Top 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Violations for Construction
• The “Low Hanging Fruit” for VOSHA Inspectors & how to protect your company from easy-to-fix citations.
• Employer Requirements regarding Employee Safety Training Return on Investment for Proactive Safety Planning
• OSHA’s Penalty Amounts for FY21

This training launches a new, limited-time offer to support integrated controls for ductless heat pumps. These controls enable a ductless minisplit and central heating systems to work in coordination through a single thermostat. The training will provide an overview of the incentive offer, program requirements, and best practice guidelines. Attendance to this training is a requirement to access the Efficiency Vermont incentive. If you are unable to attend the live webinar a recording will be made available with an associated quiz for on-demand viewing. - Learning objectives: Understand the incentive program requirements, steps for participation, and how to access product-specific trainings. Understand in what situations integrated controls are likely to work well, and when to avoid installing these controls.

Prior to attending this course, attendees are required to register for and successfully complete an online module, "Online Basic Principles of Residential Ventilation". Please add this course to your shopping cart prior to check out. Major Takeaways Certification as an F326 designer, which is recognized by many jurisdictions ability to do designs for circumstances that are outside the scope of the building codes such as houses with more than 5 bedrooms. Since CSA F326 is a performance-based standard, the participant will get a much better understanding of the theory of ventilation and how it impacts the rest of the house and its occupants.

Note: If you currently hold a Residential Mechanical Ventilation Installation certification from HRAI, you are not required to complete the Online Basic Principles of Residential Ventilation course.

This presentation will cover:

• OSHA’s Regulatory Compliance Requirements for Residential & Commercial Construction Employers
• Top 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Violations for Construction
• The “Low Hanging Fruit” for VOSHA Inspectors & how to protect your company from easy-to-fix citations.
• Employer Requirements regarding Employee Safety Training
• Return on Investment for Proactive Safety Planning
• OSHA’s Penalty Amounts for FY21

Join Adam Tower & Jill O'Connor from Efficiency Vermont to review some recent best-in-class lighting projects and to discover how a lighting project can benefit your business.

Healthy Materials will take a dive into the broken promise of the statement “better living through chemistry.” Through assigned reading, case studies, videos and discussion,we will explore the effects of modern building products and household goods on our health.

We will begin to connect the health crisis that is ever present in our lives to our built environment and explore alternatives that are healthier for people and the planet. We will develop an awareness of the importance of choosing the most appropriate materials for our building projects, not only to help drawdown embodied carbon from our work, but also to choose healthy materials for both interior and exterior finishes.

Learn the basics of design and construction for Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) and Near ZEB for new construction & existing homes and buildings. These "green" buildings not only reduce our carbon footprint by saving energy, but are also extremely comfortable, quiet, healthy, and affordable when planned correctly. Participants will gain an understanding of what it means to set ZEB Energy Use Goals for projects, how to plan for achieving ZEB goals without reducing function, and how to achieve ZEB construction at the lowest cost.

This course will cover the fundamental subjects for achieving ZEB, including principles of life safety, fundamentals for healthy homes, principles of heat loss/gain, principles of insulation performance, principles of pressure plane integrity (air-leakage control), and the use of modeling tools and methods for determining paths to success.

Discussions will include:

• functionality and durability
• construction assembly choices that impact efficiency and cost
• how design layout impacts HVAC systems' cost and plumbing costs
• solar gain impact on buildings' inside living spaces
• bulk water management; moisture management
• fresh air management
• how capital investment will eliminate annual expenses to achieve a "return on investment" that is a net or positive cash flow from day one

Please note this course utilizes a “flipped classroom” so you’ll need to prepare for class by watching a series of pre-recorded videos introducing the material so that the in-class time can be focused on question and answer. American Institute of Architects (AIA): 6 HSW Learning Units

This course will cover features and benefits of Rheem/Ruud 5th generation HPWHs and will touch on install considerations. Learn about the newest product updates including highest UEF in class, smart features with leak detection/auto shutoff capabilities and smart home compatibility. This class is designed for contractors, service techs, sales staff and anyone wanting to learn about the most efficient water available in North America.

This will be a technical focused training on Rheem high efficiency condensing tankless water heaters. In this class we will cover install considerations, sizing, venting, servicing, and troubleshooting. This class is designed for installers and service techs to understand the technology and feel confident they can comfortably install and service these units after completing this course.

Participants will receive the skills and knowledge to balance the airflows of Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRV/ERVs). They will also have an overview of the installation and measurement requirements. An HRAI checklist for installation and servicing of HRVs and ventilation systems will be made available, for use when on the job. After an instructor-led demonstration, participants will be divided into two groups to complete a hands-on assessment of balancing and a brief exam on installation requirements and the theory and application of air flow measurement. Participants are encouraged to bring their own measuring equipment and use it in a comfortable learning environment.

Major Takeaways:

• Certification as an HRV/ERV Balancer, which is recognized by many jurisdictions
• The ability to use a variety of flow measuring devices to measure and balance airflow
• A good understanding of installation practices

Prerequisite: Details vary depending on the local code, so participants are required to attend HRAI’s Residential Ventilation using Section 9.32 of the Building Code OR Residential Ventilation using CSA F326 course before being able to attend the HRV/ERV Installation & Balancing Fundamentals course.

This course, led by green building expert Peter Yost, will use the web-based tool, GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, to make the comprehensive case for green remodeling. This will be a “soup-to-nuts” approach to green remodeling, covering all of the essential principles of building science on projects ranging from weatherization to gut rehab to deep energy retrofits.

Day 1 will focus on green remodeling principles and the tools available to employ them. Day 2 will be driven by case studies (including the 8-year deep energy retrofit of Peter’s own 100-year old home) and YOUR projects!

Category AIA Credit Courses, Building Systems Design and Building Science Competency All levels, Beginner American Institute of Architects (AIA): 16 HSW Learning Units