Contractor and Career Resources

Upcoming Webinars

For questions about CEUs (Continuing Education Units) please click here.

More Info Coming Soon!

Past Webinars

Non- Member Webinars, open to all

Weatherization to Home Performance: Tools & Tips for Developing For-profit Services

February 17th, 2012 @ 12:30 PM EST/ 9:30 AM PST. Qualified for up to 1.5 BPI CEUs

Are you a low-income weatherization company looking to add home performance work to your services? The Home Performance Resource Center and Efficiency First present resources developed through expert industry engagement.

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF & TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THIS WEBINAR.

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.

Close Quarters: Retrofitting America's Multifamily Dwellings 101-- 02/22/12

Weatherizaton to Home Performance -- Tools & Tips for Developing For-profit Services

Check and Verify: Why Quality Assurance Programs Matter-- 02/07/12

It's OK to Use a Cheat Sheet: An Appraiser's Perspective on Getting Fair Value for Energy Efficient Homes-- 11/30/11

Social Media Strategies for Your Home Performance Business-- 11/17/11

Getting to Fair Cost Effectiveness Testing -- 10/27/11

How to Hire a Home Performance Super Star: Best Practices for Building Your Home Performance Team--10/04/11

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

Green Jobs in the Residential Energy Efficiency Industry: The Home Performance Industry Perspective on Training & Workforce Development

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