Contractor and Career Resources
Upcoming Webinars
Check & Verify: Why Quality Assurance Programs Matter
Feb 7th @ 12:30pm EST/ 9:30am PST Qualifies for up to 1.5 BPI CEUsAcross America, local governments, utilities, state agencies, and other organizations are implementing building performance programs with a quality assurance component to insure high quality work, healthy indoor environments, and to protect rate payer and tax payer investments. Increasingly, building performance companies are incorporating quality assurance programs into their private market jobs because they know this helps differentiate themselves, in the eyes of the consumer and positively impacts their P&L in the form of reduced call backs and warranty issues. Learn about the latest in quality assurance programs for residential and light commercial buildings. Understand how effective quality assurance programs protect consumer interests, can contribute to industry growth and learn tips on how your business can best leverage and operate under quality assurance programs.
CLICK HERE TO LOG IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT & REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR.
NON-MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Close Quarters: Retrofitting America’s Multifamily Dwellings 101
Feb 22th @ 12:30pm EST/ 9:30am PST BPI CEUs PendingBased on an upcoming suite of case studies and a white paper from the Home Performance Resource Center (HPRC), this webinar will provide a basic road map for programs and building performance companies looking to expand their services into the multifamily homes sector. These resources will provide industry guidance on multifamily retrofit programs.
On the webinar, panelists will discuss:
- How building performance companies can successfully leverage multifamily home projects
- Sales and marketing strategies for increasing work within the multifamily sector
- Guidelines for implementing successful multifamily programs
- Lessons learned from industry veterans from both the programmatic and building performance professional perspectives
- Information about multifamily-sector specific certifications in building performance
MEMBERS: CLICK HERE FOR TO REGISTER.
NON-MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
POSTPONED: Weaztherization to Home Performance: Tools & Tips for Developing For-Profit Services
TBA Qualifies for up to 1.5 CEUs.Are you a low-income weatherization contractor looking to expand beyond your current market? This webinar will include tools and best practices for contractors currently focusing on low income weatherization projects who want to transition to becoming full-fledge market-based home performance companies. While the technical skills needed to perform retrofits are similar, running a for-profit home performance company requires a new skill set in marketing, sales, and customer service. Tune in to learn what you can do to put your best foot forward in entering the for-profit home performance market.
For questions about CEUs (Continuing Education Units) please click here.
More Info Coming Soon!
Past Webinars
Non- Member Webinars, open to all
Introducing 25E: The First Performance Based Tax Credit for Homes
December 6th, 2011 @ 4 PM EST/ 1 PM PST. Qualified for up to 1.5 BPI CEUs
A legislative briefing for Efficiency First members and the general public about new proposed 25e tax credit legislation. The bill would introduce the first ever performance-based tax credit. The webinar will feature the latest information from experts leading the way on this legislation.
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF & TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THIS WEBINAR.
Business Opportunities in Whole House Performance
June 7th, 2011 @ 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST. Qualified for 1.5 BPI CEUs
Ever thought about transitioning your business model from HVAC to a whole house energy one? On this webinar, you will learn about the business opportunities in whole house performance and how transitiong over can impact your bottom line and increase profits. Learn how a business owner entered the space for the first time and two national training providers.
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF & TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THIS WEBINAR.
The Future of your Business: Direction of the Home Performance Industry-Home Star, Tax Credits & your Local Communities.
Wednesday March 23 @ 12:30pm EST/ 9:30am PST
This session discusses the status of Home Star, the development of local utility based programs, the impact of state budget cuts on your business and Efficiency First's roll in developing the Home Performance industry.CLICK HERE FOR A PDF & TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THIS WEBINAR.
Efficiency First Member Webinars
Included as a benefit for Efficiency First members. Click the links below to log into your Efficiency FIrst account and view past Webinars.
Social Media Strategies for Your Home Performance Business-- 11/17/11
Getting to Fair Cost Effectiveness Testing -- 10/27/11
New York On Bill Recovery Financing--8/15/11
Home Performance Standards & Certifications: The Latest from BPI & RESNET-- 07/13/11
Sales & Lead Generation -- 06/16/11
Mastering Infrared Thermography: Tools & Techniques -- 06/01/11
FHA PowerSaver Loan Program: What Your Company Needs to Know -- 05/11/11
Drive Your Business: Local Media Strategies -- 04/28/11
Save $$: Maximize the Value of your Efficiency First Membership -- 01/25/10
What is an MLS & what Makes one Green? -- 12/15/10
Long Live the Loan: Contractor Financing Options -- 11/02/10
Best Practices for Residential Energy Efficiency Programs -- 10/04/10
Grassroots Marketing Strategies -- 9/22/10
Home Star Update & Program Operation - 3/22/2010
Accounting Basics for Contractors: Transforming Financial Statements into Management Tools
California Statewide Conference Call - 6/21/10
Financing Resources for Home Performance Contractors - 6/30/2010
Online Strategies for Home Performance Companies - 7/12/2010
Marketing Resources
Click here for the Marketing Home Performance Power Point.
Click here for the Marketing Home Performance Case Study.
Click here for the Marketing Home Performance Brochure in PDF and/or HTML
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
International trade association offering certification programs, courses and training programs and a wide range of publications and technical standards documents
Building Performance Institute (BPI)
The credentialing arm of the Home Performance contracting industry, offering training and accreditation for individuals and Home Performance businesses
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
A national trade group and standards-making body for building energy efficiency rating systems
Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA)
A non-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions through the home improvement and renewable energy industries. EGIA serves a rapidly-growing nationwide network of over 2,500 installation contractors, regional distributors, product manufacturers and other trade allies delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to millions of homes and businesses.
Industry Standards and Product Ratings
ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines
Preview some standards documentation online, or purchase complete documents through ASHRAE
BPI Standards
Downloadable reference sheets for BPI technical standards (also see Approved BPI Technical Standards for building performance and professional accreditation standards)
BPI 101: An Overview of the BPI Credentialing Process [PDF]
Slides from a presentation prepared by the Building Performance Institute
ENERGY STAR
Guide to household appliances and home improvement products that qualify under the federal ENERGY STAR program
RESNET Standards
Index of standards for home energy rating, audits and procedures
Research Reports
Meeting AB 32 – Cost-Effective Green House Gas Reductions in the Residential Sector [PDF]
August 2008 report prepared by ConSol for the California Homebuilding Foundation
Carbon Footprint of Single-Family Residential New Construction [PDF]
May 2008 report prepared by ConSol for the California Homebuilding Foundation
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Legislation [PDF]
June 2010 publication from the Home Performance Resource Center showing current PACE financing authority by state
Workforce and Career Development
So You Want to Be a Home Performance Contractor... [PDF]
Article from Home Energy magazine offering advice about getting into the industry, by Greg Thomas.
So You Think You Want a Job in the Home Performance Industry? [PDF]
A guide for potential Home Performance workers in Northern California, produced by Efficiency First member Recurve, Inc.
ENERGY STAR Training
Free online training resources from the federal ENERGY STAR program
130 Million Reasons to Work with BPI [PDF]
Presentation from the Building Performance Institute providing an overview of the BPI credentialing Processs.
BPI Affiliate Training
Locate training programs for BPI accreditation
How to Become a Certified RESNET Rater
Overview of RESNET certification with a directory of training provicers
ASHRAE Educational Resources
Listing of conferences, training programs and self-directed learning materials for heating, refrigeration and air conditioning engineers
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