Energy Trust Insider

How to Cost Effectively Build Zero Energy Homes Webinar Series
2020-05-15 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join EEBA and Earth Advantage for this three-part webinar series on affordable Zero Energy (ZE) home design and construction. Learn how to eliminate common barriers to Zero Energy (ZE) home construction, benefit from the rapid trend towards ZE, and earn a ‘Zero Energy Builder’ designation.
Zero Energy (ZE) homes are a big part of the future of home building business. While the materials and equipment to reach zero energy are available, designers and builders must create a bundle of energy-efficiency features that matches their climate, customers, and business constraints. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This training will layout numerous elements of zero energy homebuilding so professionals can formulate a unique package appropriate for their situation:

Fri, May 15 @ 12PM-2PM – Intro to ZE, Affordability, Design, Site Orientation, Energy Modeling, Certification Programs, Oregon Case Studies, Local Market & Policy Development. Guest speaker: Ryan Shanahan, Earth Advantage
Fri, May 22 @ 12PM-2PM – Air Sealing, Insulation, Windows, Programs & Incentives. Guest speaker: Energy Trust of Oregon
Fri, May 29 @ 12PM-2PM – Mechanical Ventilation, Heating & Cooling, Water Heating, Lights & Appliances, Renewable Energy, Marketing/Sales

Participants in this class will learn design principles, equipment options, emerging technologies, material selections, and construction practices that can be integrated into their building process. Strong emphasis is placed on ways to make the final product affordable for homebuyers. Sales and marketing ideas, localized resources, Oregon case studies, incentive programs, and next steps will also be presented.
‘Zero Energy Builder’ Designation
Participants will have the opportunity to earn EEBA’s ‘Zero Energy Builder’ designation and be listed on EEBA & Earth Advantage registries of accredited professionals. To earn the designation, attendees must pass a designation exam and have completed and passed prerequisite trainings.
12 Steps to Affordable Zero Energy Design & Construction
It’s generally accepted that improvements to the thermal envelope are fundamental. These include high levels of insulation, reduction of thermal bridges and advanced air sealing. However, significant efficiency improvements in heating and cooling equipment and the rapid drop in the cost of rooftop solar electric systems offer new options for cost-effective efficiency packages. There have never been so many ZE options to choose from. This course gives building professionals the knowledge to build ZE homes that are affordable, durable, safe, healthy, energy efficient, and comfortable to live in.

The training material is organized into 12 easy steps:

Start with Smart Design
Orient for Sun Tempering
Optimize with Energy Modeling
Super-seal the Envelope
Super-insulate the Envelope
Select Optimum Window Efficiency
Ensure Clean, Fresh Air
Specify High-performance Heating and Cooling
Heat Water Wisely
Select High-Efficiency Lighting
Choose Efficient Appliances
Plan for Renewable Energy

Each step describes the most recent developments with a strong emphasis on affordability. Other topics include: housing market drivers, ways to assess and communicate economic benefits, available incentives, along with marketing and sales concepts for ZE homes.
This training is made possible thanks to:

Designing for Net Zero Webinar
2020-05-26 08:00 - 08:45 | Webinar
New technology is changing homes for the better, and it may be easier and more affordable than you think to include the latest innovations in your plans. This training is the second in a series brought to you by Energy Trust of Oregon, sharing about two new incentive opportunities for newly built homes: Net zero and energy smart homes. During this training you’ll learn:

Strategies to maximize your home’s solar production to offset electric use
How to minimize your home’s energy load and maximize incentives from Energy Trust

Virtual Networking Event for Solar & New Construction
2020-06-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Webinar
Are you a builder or developer who is curious about installing solar and achieving net zero for your projects? Or perhaps you are a solar contractor looking to create more connections within the building community?
To promote collaboration between the building community and the Solar Trade Ally network, Energy Trust of Oregon is hosting a virtual networking opportunity on June 10, 2020 to bring awareness to the recently introduced EPS New Construction net zero and energy smart home incentive offerings. Please join us to virtually meet local industry professionals and learn about some exciting EPS New Construction projects in the works.
Who should attend?

EPS New Construction Builders and Verifier trade allies looking to learn more about incorporating solar on single family projects
Solar trade allies who want to support builders and developers to incorporate solar during the design process
Curious Individuals looking to establish a deeper understanding of how solar and energy efficiency measures can be designed into new homes

We will be using the ZOOM webinar platform, so please come prepared with your microphone and camera ready so we can see and hear you. Upon registration, a link to join the event will be sent to your email.
For more information contact Matthew Mills, solar outreach coordinator, at 503.773.8665 or mmills@trccompanies.com.
This event is free and open to all who are interested in attending.

Designing & Planning for an Energy Smart Home: Making a Home Ready for Solar, Storage, and Electric Vehicles
2020-08-12 08:00 - 09:30 | Webinar
New technology is changing how we live in homes for the better, and it may be easier and more affordable than you think to include the latest innovations in your plans. This training is the third in a series brought to you by Energy Trust, sharing about two new incentive opportunities for newly built homes: net zero and energy smart home.
During this training you will learn:

How to overcome design constraints that come with electric vehicles combined with solar and storage, anticipating needs for space in the garage and on the electrical panel.
The recommended installation practices and options for storage and charger systems, and how they integrate into other decisions for energy efficient and high-performance homes.

How to Cost Effectively Build Zero Energy Homes (Central Oregon)
2020-11-06 12:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
Learn how to eliminate common barriers to Zero Energy (ZE) home construction, benefit from the rapid trend towards ZE, and earn a ‘Zero Energy Professional’ designation
This course gives building professionals the knowledge to build ZE homes that are affordable, durable, safe, healthy, energy efficient, and comfortable to live in. Participants will learn design principles, equipment options, emerging technologies, material selections, and construction practices that can be integrated into their building process. Other topics include: housing market drivers, localized resources, Central Oregon case studies, incentive programs, ways to assess and communicate economic benefits, and next steps to put principles into practice.

Net Zero: It's All Part of the Plans
2021-06-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Webinar
Are you looking to learn how builders are earning net zero incentives by designing solar into their projects?
This webinar will give an overview of the net zero incentive offering introduced in 2020 and will dive into multiple builder case studies that showcase the various methods used to design for solar.

Best of the 2022 Homes of Tomorrow Today Tour
2022-12-14 08:00 - 09:30 | Webinar
The Homes of Tomorrow Today tour showcases new homes throughout the Portland region, featuring the best in sustainable building practices, comfort and durability. Now Energy Trust of Oregon will highlight some of the best homes from this year’s tour in a free webinar, “The Best of the 2022 Homes of Tomorrow Today Tour”.
Homes participating in the 2022 tour demonstrated cutting-edge technologies like heat pump water heaters, ductless heat pumps, solar or solar ready options, net zero techniques and additional sustainable-building certifications and designations. Webinar attendees will learn more about these homes from participating builders and the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, coming away with even more ideas to incorporate into new homes.

Solo Training Webinar
2025-05-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Energy Trust is pleased to announce Solo has been approved as a solar resource tool for establishing incentive eligibility for Energy Trust of Oregon’s Solar + Storage program. Our incentive processing team will now accept solar resource reports from Solo with incentive applications.
Join us for a training with Solo representatives on how to use their solar resource tool.
