Energy Trust Insider

Lessons from Pioneering Net Zero Building, Painters Hall at Pringle Creek Community
2017-01-05 06:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pringle Creek Community Center, 3911 Village Center Drive, Salem, 97302, United States
Regional Allies for Efficiency in Salem, Oregon
In 2011, Painters Hall Community Center at Pringle Creek Community in Salem, Oregon, became the first certified net-zero energy commercial building in the state. Originally built in the 1930s the building was renovated to LEED Platinum Energy Building Standard in 2010 while accomplishing five of the Living Building Challenge Petals: Site, Energy, Equity, Beauty and Process.
This innovative, sustainable and low-cost rehabilitation of an existing building is a great example of the potential in our existing building stock. Painters Hall features salvaged and recycled building materials, high-efficiency windows, lighting and HVAC upgrades, FSC wood products, rainwater harvesting and dual flush toilets, energy monitoring, a zero waste operations strategy and a 20.2 kW rooftop solar system.
The Community Center serves as a space for social gatherings, office space, art gallery, and event venue and would not have been possible without the leadership at Pringle Creek Community, a residential development founded on principles of environmental sustainability.
Join Energy Trust on December 15 to network with your local building design and construction community, and hear the Painters Hall design and management team discuss the initial building design process. Learn the strategies they used to achieve net-zero, lessons learned from the process, and how the building has been operating for the last five years.
Professionals taking this training are eligible for 2 AIA LU/HSW continuing education credits.
Course Objectives:

Understand the importance of a design process that establishes energy performance goals and opportunities to achieve them.
Demonstrate how every aspect of a design contributes to achieving net-zero performance primarily through reduction of energy loads and usage.
Discuss strategies implemented at Pringle Creek to achieve net-zero performance.
Identify technical challenges in operating and maintaining a net-zero commercial building.

Presenters:
James Meyer, Town Architect at Pringle Creek Community
Jonathan Schachter, Director of Development at Sustainable Development Inc.
Jeff Becksfort, Senior Associate at PAE

Earth Advantage Broker
2017-03-16 01:00 - 09:00 | Earth Advantage, 623 SW Oak St, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Now 1.5 Days Classroom + Green Home Site Visits!

March 16, 2017: Classroom at Earth Advantage (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) | 7 CEs
March 17, 2017: Green Home Site Visit (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) | 3 CEs
March 17, 2017: Classroom at Earth Advantage (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) | 4 CEs

Are you prepared to meet the increasing demand for healthy, quality, efficient homes?

Did you know that 45% of all new homes built in Portland (and 57% in Beaverton) are certified green and/or have received an energy label? A 2014 nationwide study found that 3 out of 4 homebuyers said they would be willing to pay more for a home that’s certified to standards that are higher than ENERGY STAR.
The Earth Advantage Broker accreditation course provides real estate professionals with a competitive edge in communicating features and benefits for green and energy efficient home opportunities in their market:

Recommend existing home upgrade options, incentives, and ROIs
Benefit your clients by providing timely Solar PV info
List green home certifications and energy labels
Gain resources for financing, appraising and insuring green homes
Develop marketing messages to clients with varying attitudes/needs
Walk away with expertise on smart homes, RMLS green fields, and so much more!

Gain the knowledge to provide your clients with access to homes that provide a healthier living environment and greater energy, water, and resource efficiency. View learning objectives and more info here >>
Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20

Making Savvy Home Energy & Solar Upgrades
2017-03-16 06:30 - 08:30 | Rogue Valley Association Realtors, 629 Franquette St, Medford, OR, 97501, United States
How energy efficiency upgrades and solar PV systems can enhance existing homes
What are the incentives for energy efficiency, home health, and solar upgrades in Oregon? With a working knowledge of the incentives and programs that are available, you can answer this question effectively and empower clients to close on older homes with good energy upgrade potential.
Participants will learn what enables a home to perform well, use less energy, and deliver superior comfort. You will also come away with tools to direct clients to the most cost effective upgrades with the greatest benefits, as well as learn what you need to know about solar PV systems and why it is a great time to invest in a renewable energy system.
Learning Objectives:

Discover the many homeowner benefits of energy efficiency upgrades
Understand how effectively guiding your clients to make upgrades can help your business
Gain an understanding of typical upgrades that can improve a home’s performance
Learn about local programs and resources that you can refer to your clients
Learn about energy scores and green home certifications
Identify resources available for financing, appraising and insuring green and energy efficient homes
Understand what makes good candidate homes for adding solar PV systems and the added value it can provide

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

Biannual Trade Ally Forum – Portland
2017-04-11 00:00 - 04:00 | Crowne Plaza, 14811 Kruse Oaks Dr., Lake Oswego, OR, 97035, United States
Energy Trust will hold the Spring Trade Ally Forums on April 11 in Portland, April 13 in Medford and April 14 in Bend.
The forums will focus on topics most relevant to residential, Multifamily and Solar trade allies, but are open to trade allies who participate in any Energy Trust programs. They are a great way to stay up to date on Energy Trust incentives and plans. There will opportunities to network with vendors, ask questions and provide feedback directly to Energy Trust staff.

Biannual Trade Ally Forum – Southern Oregon
2017-04-13 00:00 - 04:00 | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center, 4864 Airway Drive, Central Point, OR, 97502, United States

Biannual Trade Ally Forum – Central Oregon
2017-04-14 00:00 - 04:00 | McMenamins Old Saint Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Savings Within Reach On-Bill Repayment Training
2017-04-18 08:00 - 09:00 | Webinar
If you are an approved 2.5-star or higher, Savings Within Reach trade ally contractor, attend this one-hour webinar to learn more about the on-bill loan repayment program. Nonprofit lender Craft3 now offers on-bill loan repayment to Savings Within Reach customers who heat their homes with fuel from Pacific Power, Portland General Electric or NW Natural. With the low-cost financing offer, customers can complete qualifying energy efficiency upgrades with no up-front costs and make monthly payments through their utility bill.
Attending the webinar and agreeing to the terms and conditions in the participation agreement will qualify you to be considered for the Savings Within Reach on-bill repayment program track. Approved contractors will be able to offer moderate-income participants increased cash incentives, a preferred-rate loan and easy on-bill repayment for energy efficiency improvements.
For additional information, visit http://energytrust.org/onbill or contact the Existing Homes Trade Ally Team at 1.866.365.3526 or onbill@energytrust.org.

Partner Event: Help Your Clients Make Energy Efficient Decisions
2017-04-19 01:30 - 02:30 | Webinar
Earth Advantage has teamed up with OAR to bring you another stellar webinar!
The Energy Performance Score (EPS) and other resources provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon are available to help real estate professionals answer customer questions surrounding home energy efficiency, health and comfort. Join John Spillman (Energy Trust of Oregon) as he provides provide attendees with a working knowledge of these programs so they can empower new and existing home clients, and ultimately, drive sales.

Existing Homes Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2017-04-20 01:00 - 03:00 | Webinar
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Existing Homes 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 is free and course is eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

How Homebuyers Ask for Green Without Saying the Word - Coos Bay
2017-05-18 04:00 - 05:00 | 3201 Tremont St, North Bend, OR, 97459, United States
This class provides an in-depth look at the current state of the green housing market-trends, features and market segments-and provides participants with the information they need to talk with clients about “energy” and “green”
Learning Objectives

Understand the meaning of “green” in today’s market
Learn how the “green” market has changed and why
Understand the differences and similarities between “high performance” & “green”
Translate green features of a home into homeowner benefits that sell
Learn the value of the EPS – a smart, easy way to assess a home’s energy performance

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

Existing Homes Specifications Manual Orientation - Part 2
2017-05-18 08:00 - 10:00, 2017-06-22 07:00 - 10:00, 2017-07-20 08:00 - 10:00 | Webinar

Sneak Peek Site Visit: Columbia Basin Student-built EPS Home
2017-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Hermiston, OR | Exact location TBD, Hermiston, OR
Get a sneak peek, first-hand look at the latest Hermiston student-built home before the public open house on June 9!
This is the third energy-efficient, EPS-rated home built by the Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program (CBSHBP) and Energy Trust of Oregon is hosting a guided CE tour of the home on June 8, the day before the public grand opening on Friday, June 9.
This tour will help you understand how this home (and the 8 future homes that will be built by CBSHBP) can be a good fit for your homebuyer clients. Join us as we guide you on a tour of this home in the Fieldstone Crossing Subdivision and find out how it achieved above code standards and what that means for homebuyers: A more comfortable, durable home with healthier air quality and cost-saving energy efficiency that the homebuyer can feel good about.
“Our students are excited for the opportunity to show the completed home,” said Curt Berger, student home builder director. “We’re trying to give the students the best experience we can. The higher quality the home they’re building, the more they learn, and these are really nice homes. We encourage community members to stop by to see the home.”
Learning Opportunities

See first-hand what above-code features are included in this EPS home
Gain access to energy efficiency resources that you can pass along to your clients
Learn how to connect your new and existing home customers with Energy Trust builders/contractors and incentives
Translate energy efficiency into health/comfort/durability/savings benefits that will resonate with different clients

To learn more about this home and the Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program, visit this article by Energy Trust of Oregon and this home summary by the Hermiston School District.
The exact addresses for the home tour will be emailed to those that RSVP the week before the event.
Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20

SW Washington - Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally Networking Event
2017-06-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Feral Public House, 1109 Washington St, Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
You’re invited to this free and informal networking event, sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon and including representatives of BPA’s Air Northwest and Clark PUD at Feral Public House in Vancouver, on Wednesday, June 21st, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Existing Buildings and New & Existing Homes trade allies working in the greater Southwest Washington region are invited to meet with program staff and network with other trade allies. Energy Trust outreach staff will be available to offer program guidance and updates, plus BPA’s Air Northwest and Clark PUD will be present to offer support and answer questions about their services.
Developing strategic partnerships with companies you trust can improve your ability to guide customers through a full spectrum of services, and help your company:

Tap into a new, qualified customer base
Increase sales
Expand existing customer relationships

Come prepared to network and discover how you can better connect with a variety of customers who are interested in energy efficiency. Appetizers will be provided and drinks are available at happy hour prices.

Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation – Part 1
2017-07-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
Participating in this webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Existing Homes Trade Ally Network. In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Existing Homes 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 – Existing Homes Trade Ally Addendum
2) Participate in the Existing Homes Specifications Manual Webinar. This webinar takes place the day after this Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation, at 9 a.m. you must register separately.
Cost: free

OAME Contractors & AEPT Meeting
2017-07-24 06:30 - 08:00
Formed in 1987, the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) is a nonprofit, tax exempt membership organization with a mission to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the state of Oregon and southwest Washington.
We are an all-inclusive organization and encourage everyone to live by our motto: “Everybody’s In, Nobody’s Out.”
The 850 member association is a collection of entrepreneurs, public agencies, partner non-profits and large businesses. The mission is directed toward eliminating discrimination and racism.
From its Delta Park campus, OAME provides the following services to help businesses:

Free Technical Assistance and business counseling
Access to Capital, including SBA microloans
Clearinghouse, a program that matches small businesses with contracting opportunities
Incubator office spaces at below market rates
Large bi-monthly networking meetings to promote business growth

Every Second Friday, contractors gather to network, hear special guest speakers, hear about and share contracting opportunities, and introduce their businesses and themselves to the entire meeting.

Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation - Part 1
2017-08-16 08:00 - 09:00, 2017-10-18 08:00 - 09:00, 2017-11-15 08:00 - 09:00 | Webinar

Existing Homes Specifications Manual Orientation - Part 2
2017-08-17 08:00 - 10:00, 2017-09-21 08:00 - 10:00, 2017-10-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Existing Homes 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 is free.

Portland’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Tour
2017-09-09 09:00 - 2017-09-10 15:00 | Portland, various locations, Various Locations, Portland, https://accessorydwellings.org/adu_tour/, United States
A tour for people interested in learning more about ADUs and meeting the homeowners, builders, and designers who built them.

Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation - Part 1
2017-09-20 08:00 - 09:00 | Webinar
Participating in this webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Existing Homes Trade Ally Network. In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Existing Homes Trade Ally Network must complete these additional requirements:
1) Submit the appropriate paperwork including

Sending the Certificate of Liability Insurance Fax Request Form to your insurance carrier
Complete the Form 1171A – Trade Ally Enrollment Application
Complete the Form 371A – Existing Homes Trade Ally Addendum

2) Participate in the Existing Homes Specifications Manual Webinar. This webinar takes place the day after this Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation, at 9 a.m. and requires separate registration.
Cost: free

Existing Homes Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2017-10-20 07:00 - 16:00, 2017-10-24 07:00 - 16:00

High Performance Homes Training for Code Officials
2017-10-20 07:30 - 11:30 | H.H. DeArmond Room, First Floor, Deschutes County Building, 1300 NW Wall St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
High Performance Homes Training for Code Officials
OCTOBER 20, 2017 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Learn the essentials of building science and examine common building features and techniques being utilized by new home builders that achieve EPSTM (Energy Performance Score) from Energy Trust of Oregon.
The course will provide an overview of how builders participating in Energy Trust of Oregon’s New Homes Program are constructing residential structures to achieve EPS, a third party verification that signals high levels of energy efficiency. You will learn the why, how and where the most current building techniques and materials are being used to create high performing homes, and how the EPS standard helps the building industry prepare for increases in energy efficiency standards that are required in future code cycles.
What is EPS? EPS-rated homes are built and tested to exceed code minimum energy standards. With EPS, home buyers are able to compare how similar-sized homes use energy, review the features that make energy-efficient homes stand out, and even see the estimated utility costs before they buy. To determine the score, a third-party verifier analyzes the home’s features and construction techniques and tests performance factors such as air leakage and duct tightness. Builders that use EPS can also qualify for incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon. EPS has become the industry standard for new homes across Oregon, as nearly 40% of new home construction statewide has earned above code standards through third party verification and a total of 7 neighborhoods across Central Oregon that require EPS for 100% of homes built within their development.
Why does EPS matter to code officials? The new Oregon residential code that takes effect in October 2017 represents an approx. 9% increase in the energy efficiency requirement from the previous code standard. Similar increases in standards are expected to occur in future code cycles, and above-code EPS-rated homes help the building industry prepare for these changes. In other words, the high performance home of today can be considered the code home of tomorrow. This training will provide code officials with insights into the features and approaches builders are using today and how they factor into code changes in 2017 and beyond.
Learning Objectives:

Review building science concepts of thermodynamics, energy, and heat transfer
Learn about air movement and it’s effects on the thermal boundary’s insulating capacity

Gain an understanding of the features and techniques that go into EPS-rated high performance homes
Understand new home building approaches, technologies, and emerging wall systems

Look at an overview of solar technology and solar ready infrastructure
Anticipate future increases in energy code standards

Credits: ICC CEUs (exact number and approval pending), 4 CCB Series B, 4 OCHI
Instructor: John Spillman – BPI, LEED Green Rater, Energy Trust of Oregon (Profile »)

Existing Homes Trade Ally Orientation – Part 1
2017-10-24 07:00 - 16:00

Existing Homes Specifications Manual Orientation - Part 2
2017-11-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
his technical training provides a detailed overview of the Existing Homes 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 is free.
