How can I become an ecoENERGY Retrofit Energy Advisor?
To be considered as an energy advisor candidate, you must possess and demonstrate, as a minimum, knowledge and skills in areas such as construction practices for existing low-rise housing; energy-efficient renovation practices; residential building materials; residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; building science, including the principles of the “house as a system”; basic arithmetic and geometry; the use of computers, modems, the Internet and e-mail; and good client relations.
Contact your local community college to upgrade your skills if necessary. Building envelope courses and heating inspection courses are good to start with.
Once you are qualified, the training consists of a month long training program. We start with a 4 day intensive workshop followed by a week with an experienced advisor riding shotgun. After this week you come back to class for two more days and you take the Federal Government on-line exam. You then must perform 5 solo home energy assessments and 2 supervised home energy assessments within the next two weeks. At this point if all is well you will become an Energy Advisor. Your work will be closely monitored while you gain experience, after which you will be audited on a regular basis. You will be assigned a mentor during this early stage of your development. Note that auditing is a necessary to ensure consistency of delivery of the program.
You will be required to invest in costs such as training, blower door, computer, scanner, printer, camera, ladder and basic tools. You will need to obtain commercial insurance and have a reliable vehicle. Training costs are currently $2250, a Blower Door will be about $3500 and insurance is $750 per year which includes $2M liability and $2M errors and omissions.
If you are accepted, you must complete your training within the required time. You must be committed to the program during your training.
Ridge Energy Consultants Inc. is accepting applications from qualified individuals to be considered for training. If you believe you have the qualifications and drive to become an Energy Advisor, send your resume outlining your pertinent experience to ridgeHR@ridge.ca.