Energy Trust Insider

Home Efficiency Forum 2018
2018-10-11 08:00 - 2018-10-12 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Grove Hotel – Boise, ID, 245 S. Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID, 83702, United States
Home Efficiency Forum is an annual event that brings together Northwest building professionals of all kinds to discuss and advance energy-efficient building practices in residential new construction. This year, the theme is Building for the Future. This two-day event offers trainings, networking opportunities and the chance to shape the future of residential building practices.

Early Bird Rate: $350. Save $100 and register by August 31, 2018.
Standard Rate: $450. Register September 1—October 1, 2018.
Utility Rate: $250. Please email info@BetterBuiltNW.com with your name, utility and email address to receive a registration promotional code.
Presenter Rate: $250. Presenters will receive promotional codes for registration.
Energy Trust of Oregon Co-op Rate: $250. If you are an Energy Trust trade ally, please email info@BetterBuiltNW.com with your name, email address and company name to verify your status and to receive a registration promotional code. You can use Energy Trust’s Oregon training incentive funds for reimbursement for the conference registration fee. You can email eps@energytrust.org to request the application for training reimbursement or it can be found on the verifier website https://www.newhomesverifier.com/resources. Complete the form and email it to eps@energytrust.org.
Sponsor Rate: $0—$250. Sponsors will receive promotional codes for registration. The rate is dependent on sponsorship level.

Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2018-10-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual. The manual is revised and published once a year and articulates Energy Trust of Oregon’s requirements for measure installations in detached single family houses. This webinar will explain how projects are reviewed by the program through Quality Assurance visits, how to avoid common causes of corrective actions and other tips for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the specifications.
This webinar is 2 hours long. Attendance is a prerequisite to enrolling in the trade ally network but all contractors performing work for Energy Trust customers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

All About ADUs
2019-03-13 08:30 - 12:30 | Earth Advantage, 623 SW Oak St, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
This half-day course is intended for professionals who are looking to increase their knowledge about Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development and earn the ADU Specialist designation in order to respond to increasing client demand for properties with ADU potential. Increasing rates of prospective home buyers are interested in building an ADU on their property, and professionals can be on the cutting edge of this emerging development trend to help homeowners/developers understand site eligibility, development process and costs, and the return on investment of ADUs. This course is intended to help brokers understand the basic planning and building regulations for ADU development in Portland and provide some insight on ADU regulations in the broader Portland Metro area.
Become an ADU Specialist!
Display your tiny home expertise and credentials with our ADU Specialist designation. You must be an Earth Advantage Broker, Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA) or Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP), take this All About ADUs course, and pass the ADU Exam to earn the ADU Specialist credential. Here’s how it works:

Already an EA Broker, AGA or SHP? Attend the All About ADUs course & take the ADU Exam.
Not yet an EA Broker, AGA or SHP? Attend the All About ADUs course, complete EA Broker (live or online), AGA (online) or SHP (live), & take the ADU Exam for free!

Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20.

Home Retrofit Trade Ally Orientation – Part 1
2019-04-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2019-05-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2019-06-19 09:00 - 10:00, 2022-01-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
Participating in this webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Home Retrofit Trade Ally Network. In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Home Retrofit Trade Ally Network must complete these additional requirements:
1) Submit the appropriate paperwork including
a) Sending the Certificate of Liability Insurance Fax Request Form to your insurance carrier
b) Complete the Form 1171A – Trade Ally Enrollment Application
c) Complete the Form 371A – Home Retrofit Trade Ally Addendum
2) Participate in the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Webinar. This webinar takes place the day after this Home Retrofit Trade Ally Orientation, at 9 a.m. and you must register separately.
Cost: free

All About ADUs
2019-04-19 08:30 - 12:30 | Earth Advantage, 623 SW Oak St, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
This half-day course is intended for professionals looking to increase their knowledge about Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development in order to respond to increasing client demand for properties with ADU potential.
Increasing rates of prospective home buyers are interested in building an ADU on their property, and real estate professionals can be on the cutting edge of this emerging development trend to help homeowners/developers understand site eligibility, development process and costs, and the return on investment of ADUs. This course is intended to help real estate professionals understand the basic planning and building regulations for ADU development in Portland and provide some insight on ADU regulations in the broader Portland Metro area.
Promote your new ADU expertise and become an ADU Specialist!
(This is an optional designation and it is not required in order to attend the All About ADUs course).

Steps to becoming an ADU Specialist:

You must be an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional

Earth Advantage Broker (EA Broker)
Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA)
Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP)

Take the All About ADUs course
Pass the online ADU Exam to earn the ADU Specialist credential.

If you are:

Already an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional (EA Broker, AGA or SHP)?

Attend the All About ADUs course
Take the online ADU Exam.

Not already an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional? (in no particular order)

Earn your Earth Advantage Accredited Professional designation

EA Broker (live or online)
AGA (online)
SHP (live)

Attend the All About ADUs course

Take the ADU Exam for free!

Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20.

Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2019-05-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2019-06-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual. The manual is revised and published once a year and articulates Energy Trust of Oregon’s requirements for measure installations in detached single family houses. This webinar will explain how projects are reviewed by the program through Quality Assurance visits, how to avoid common causes of corrective actions and other tips for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the specifications.
This webinar is 2 hours long. Attendance is a prerequisite to enrolling in the trade ally network but all contractors performing work for Energy Trust customers are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Cost: Free

All About ADUs
2019-09-06 08:30 - 12:30 | Earth Advantage, 623 SW Oak St, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
This half-day course is intended for professionals looking to increase their knowledge about Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development in order to respond to increasing client demand for properties with ADU potential.
Increasing rates of prospective home buyers are interested in building an ADU on their property, and real estate professionals can be on the cutting edge of this emerging development trend to help homeowners/developers understand site eligibility, development process and costs, and the return on investment of ADUs. This course is intended to help real estate professionals understand the basic planning and building regulations for ADU development in Portland and provide some insight on ADU regulations in the broader Portland Metro area.
Promote your new ADU expertise and become an ADU Specialist!
(This is an optional designation and it is not required in order to attend the All About ADUs course).

Steps to becoming an ADU Specialist:

You must be an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional

Earth Advantage Broker (EA Broker)
Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA)
Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP)

Take the All About ADUs course
Pass the online ADU Exam to earn the ADU Specialist credential.

If you are:

Already an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional (EA Broker, AGA or SHP)?

Attend the All About ADUs course
Take the online ADU Exam.

Not already an Earth Advantage Accredited Professional? (in no particular order)

Earn your Earth Advantage Accredited Professional designation

EA Broker (live or online)
AGA (online)
SHP (live)

Attend the All About ADUs course

Take the ADU Exam for free!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understand what makes a property ADU-ready/eligible
Learn what is involved in the process of getting approved to build an ADU
Analyze taxation, valuation and financing options for ADUs
Understand the ADU design, permitting, and building process (attached, detached, and garage conversion)
Gain access to resources to help your clients plan for their ADU (including a budget sample, contract types, development rebate programs, and more)
Gain insight on ADU regulations in the broader Portland Metro area
Get answers to your ADU-specific questions & network with other brokers about this specialized topic

Oregon Home Energy Score: A New Statewide Opportunity
2019-09-06 09:30 - 10:30 | Webinar
Join Earth Advantage and the Oregon Association of Realtors for this webinar designed to help real estate professionals understand how the new statewide Oregon Home Energy Score program works and how to leverage it with your clients to help them clearly identify energy costs and upgrade opportunities.
Take advantage of this new voluntary program that can help clients get a Home Energy Score and easily understand energy costs, upgrade options and paybacks.
The Oregon Dept. of Energy’s (ODOE) new Home Energy Score initiative was launched in early 2019 in order to offer a statewide, standardized approach to home energy scoring. A Home Energy Score helps homeowners and homebuyers identify improvements that can make a big difference in energy savings, comfort, health and durability. Providing a Home Energy Score at the time of listing can also give sellers a boost in the current housing market where energy efficiency and renewable energy are highly valued. A score can also help homebuyers – especially first-time buyers – understand how energy bills could affect their budget in a new home.
Attend this webinar and gain a comprehensive overview of the new program and answers to common questions that will help you become the ultimate resource for your clients.

The Oregon Home Energy Score will provide a voluntary framework for homeowners to hire a trained and authorized Home Energy Assessor to perform a Home Energy Assessment and deliver a Home Energy Score. The Home Energy Score was developed by US Dept. of Energy and is currently being used in the City of Portland’s Home Energy Score program. Earth Advantage implements the program on behalf of ODOE and City of Portland by providing Home Energy Assessor training, authorization, and quality assurance services in order to ensure scoring accuracy and consistency across communities. Learn more about the Oregon Home Energy Score program on ODOE’s website, including information about how to find or become an authorized assessor. To locate Oregon homes with energy scores or green certifications, visit us.greenbuildingregistry.com.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understand the relevance of energy efficiency to home buyers
Learn the ins-and-outs of the Oregon Home Energy Score program
Know how/where to direct clients for a Home Energy Assessment and next steps
Understand what makes an above- or below-average score
Learn how to explain the score to buyers/sellers
Gain resources and info to support and best serve your clients
About the Oregon Home Energy Score

Help Your Clients Make Energy Efficiency Decisions
2019-09-24 09:30 - 10:30 | Webinar
Join Energy Trust of Oregon for this webinar to learn how to help your clients save on energy costs by providing energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions to homebuyers and sellers. This 1-hr class provides brokers with basic understanding of what energy efficiency and high performance means in today’s building industry by examining the leading energy label, EPS (Energy Performance Score), and other Energy Trust of Oregon resources that are available to brokers and consumers in the region. Attendees will also learn about solar PV options and how to help your clients navigate available programs for these renewable energy systems.
According to the 2017 NAR Sustainability Report, 71% of realtors say it’s valuable to promote energy efficiency in home listings. The report demonstrates a growing consumer interest and demand for energy efficient properties which is driving a dialogue between agents and homebuyers and sellers. Are you prepared to meet this increasing client demand and communicate the features and benefits of “high performance”?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Learn how to leverage energy efficiency programs available to home buyers/sellers of new homes and retrofits
Gain Energy Trust resources for you and your customers
Leverage EPS™, an energy performance scoring tool, to drive sales for newly constructed homes
Understand how energy efficient homes provide savings, comfort, health and durability benefits
Gain tips on marketing energy efficiency to your customers
Solar PV trends and growing demand in Oregon
Resources for clients to calculate solar potential, receive bids and leverage tax credits

Home Energy Score Assessor Training: Building Science Fundamentals
2020-11-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
An increasing number of home buyers and sellers are looking to score their homes for energy efficiency. Assessors who attend this training will learn to apply their knowledge of building science terminology while working with customers. Participants will analyze how dynamic flows will affect the performance of a house, and learn to evaluate these homes in order to more effectively discuss home retrofits. This training will cover:

Building science terminology
Understanding laws of thermodynamics and the house as a system
Evaluating insulation, duct design, and thermal properties of materials
Analyzing moisture movement and relative humidity
Create plans for increasing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) while evaluating additional healthy home considerations.

This is the first module in a three-part series:

Module 1: Building Science Fundamentals (Dec. 3)
Module 2: Energy Retrofitting (Dec. 10)
Module 3: Connecting the Home Energy Score and Your Business to the Bigger Picture (Dec. 17)

Questions? Contact our Program Coordinator, Lindsay Kemp, at lkemp@earthadvantage.org.Live Webinar Course: https://www.earthadvantage.org/training/0000/659

Home Energy Score Assessor Training: Connecting the Home Energy Score & Your Business to the Bigger Picture
2020-11-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
Become familiar with current home energy scoring policies within the United States and other parts of the world. Apply this knowledge to motivate clients to make improvements to their homes, and to advocate for higher building standards. Learn about opportunities for business growth and professional development while making the case for energy efficiency.
This training will:

Analyze current home scoring policies in Portland, Austin, and Berkeley, as well as scoring policies in the EU.
Evaluate utility energy efficiency programs, why they exist, and what they offer property owners.
Build confidence in motivating clients to make improvements and advocate for higher building standards
Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts while addressing common homeowner and realtor concerns.
Learn about opportunities for business growth and professional development.

This is the second module in a three-part series:

Module 1: Building Science Fundamentals (Nov. 5)
Module 2: Energy Retrofitting (Nov. 12)
Module 3: Connecting the Home Energy Score and Your Business to the Bigger Picture (Nov. 19)

If you can’t make the November dates, you can register for our December webinar series on December 3rd, 10th and 17th.
Questions? Contact our Program Coordinator, Lindsay Kemp, at lkemp@earthadvantage.org

High Performance Home Site Visits
2021-09-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Webinar
Experience in-field site tours virtually with this pre-recorded video series featuring building industry leaders showcasing their high performance homes.
Join Earth Advantage for up to three 1.5-hour guided, under-construction tours of three green and/or energy efficient homes that have achieved a variety of third party certifications and performance levels.

Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2022-01-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual. The manual is revised and published once a year and articulates Energy Trust of Oregon’s requirements for measure installations in detached single-family houses. This webinar will explain how projects are reviewed by the program through Quality Assurance visits, how to avoid common causes of corrective actions, and other tips for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the specifications.
This webinar is 2 hours long. Attendance is a prerequisite to enrolling in the trade ally network but all contractors performing work for Energy Trust customers are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Cost: Free

How Strategic Energy Management Can Help Your Building Thrive
2024-04-17 00:00 - 13:00
Join us to learn about Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering. Strategic Energy Management provides the tools and education to help organizations optimize building equipment and systems, reduce energy use and operating costs, improve comfort and safety, and allow the organization to operate more sustainably.
Register Now
In this webinar, SEM energy coaches will provide:

An overview of SEM
Benefits of participating in SEM
Details about cash incentives you can earn through the program
Tools and resources that Energy Trust provides to participants
Information about how to enroll
An opportunity to ask questions about SEM

EPS New Homes Solar + Storage Webinar
2025-04-03 08:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
Illuminate new possibilities with Energy Trust New Homes solar + storage incentives!
Energy Trust is offering new solar + storage incentives to Oregon residential new construction builders. This webinar hosted by EPSTM New Construction highlights:

Solar + storage incentives available to builders
How to qualify for these offerings

Register to find out how you can receive solar + storage incentives for your next project.

2025 BuildRight Conference
2025-04-30, 2025-05-01 | The REDD on Salmon the Central Eastside Industrial District Portland, OR 97214, The REDD on Salmon the Central Eastside Industrial District, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
Join the Home Builders Association of Greater Portland for the 2025 Build Right Conference in Portland, OR. The conference brings together builders, designers and industry professionals from the Pacific Northwest to discuss energy efficiency best practices, advancements and workforce development in residential new construction.
Attendees will get the opportunity to hear from industry experts, network, and receive RESNET and CCB credits for attending. Register before March 31 to secure early bird pricing.

Energy Trust's Phoenix Regional Presentation and Networking Event
2026-07-30 12:00 - 13:30 | Phoenix Plaza Civic Center, 220 North Main Street, Phoenix, OR, 97535, United States
Energy Trust invites you to a free luncheon to hear about case studies, new research and energy-savings approaches for local projects.

Come join us on Thursday, July 30, for a special in-person presentation and networking event at the Phoenix Plaza Civic Center. Attendees will enjoy catered Hawaiian food and a discussion by Energy Trust of Oregon’s commercial and industrial programs, including our Building Performance Standard Pathway offer. Learn how these programs and offers can help you meet your project’s energy efficiency and resiliency goals in the Southern Oregon region and across the state.

EPS New Homes Webinar: Real World Strategies for High Performance Model Homes
2026-08-19 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
In this EPS New Homes webinar, attendees will learn about the program’s solar + storage and Net Zero model home offerings, get a step-by-step walkthrough of completed solar + storage model homes from a local builder in the Portland area, and more!

BPS 101 Review
2026-09-15 11:00 - 12:00
This presentation aims to provide information regarding the Oregon Building Performance Standard (BPS). BPS is the new set of standards for existing commercial buildings in Oregon aimed at reducing energy use to support the state’s climate and energy goals. Having a general understanding of BPS is beneficial, especially for those working with existing commercial buildings.

BPS Training: Alternative Compliance Pathways
2026-09-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Forum
Oregon’s Building Performance Standard (BPS) is the new set of standards for existing commercial buildings in Oregon aimed at reducing energy use to support the state’s climate and energy goals. This presentation will give information regarding alternative compliance pathways.

BPS Training: Building Owner Portal Walk-through
2026-09-29 11:00 - 12:00
Oregon’s Building Performance Standard (BPS) is the new set of standards for existing commercial buildings in Oregon aimed at reducing energy use to support the state’s climate and energy goals. This presentation will include a walk through of the Building Owner Portal.

BPS Training: Financial Support Options
2026-10-06 11:00 - 12:00
Oregon’s Building Performance Standard (BPS) is the new set of standards for existing commercial buildings in Oregon aimed at reducing energy use to support the state’s climate and energy goals. This presentation will give information regarding financial support for BPS upgrades.

BPS Training: Exemption Application Process
2026-10-13 11:00 - 12:00
Oregon’s Building Performance Standard (BPS) is the new set of standards for existing commercial buildings in Oregon aimed at reducing energy use to support the state’s climate and energy goals. This presentation will give information regarding exemption applications.
