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Pl THE HERALD OUTLOOK Training programs keep contractors ahead of the competition Sincetheoil crisis of the early 1970s many thousands of Canadians have improved the energy efficiency of their homes Hie experience and knowledge gained in building sci ence during this flurry of activity has led to a more sophisticated approach to building and renovat ing homes for energy efficiency Contractors who want to stay ahead of the competition are look ing for training programs to keep up to date with the new techniques being developed In the end how ever it is homeowners and home buyers who will reap the benefits of a more professional industry With support from Energy Mines and Resources Canada EMR industry groups such as the Cana dian Home Builders the National Energj Conservation Association and the Heating Refrigerating and Conditioning Institute of Canada HRAI have developed coursesfor their members in such areas as build ing R2000 homes retrofitting ex isting homes for energy efficiency and improving heating system per formance with total tuneups R2000 R2000 super energyefficient homes are built to standards that far exceed even the toughest provin cial construction codes The atten tion to detail and stateoftheart techniques used to construct these homes means R2000 builders must undergo special training This training is now being deliv ered through R2000Builder Work shops sponsored by the Canadian Home Builders Association About builders across Canada vol untarily participate in this program each year and many others regu larly take refresher courses Al though the HRAI provides training to the subtrades who design and install ventilation systems certified R2000 builders generally train the other subtrades they use onsite In addition to builders the trains R2000 quality assurance personnel While efforts to date have fo cused on training people already working in the field a major thrust is now underway by the CHBA and EMR to have training in corporated into the design and build ing courses offered by universities community colleges and technical institutes More than lOOsuch insti tutions offer courses to the con struction trades and professionals such as architects and engineers Institutionalizing training will provide graduates with the skills to build energyefficient homes when they begin their careers in the residential building industry This is also the aim of the ity Housing Program which is being delivered by EMR and home builders associations across Can ada Qualityf is a training and education program designed to familiarize teachers and course participants with the innovative features that set energyefficient homes apart from conventional houses In addition to information from the R2000 Home Program the course features educational material developed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corpora tion the HRAI and others Several provincial governments have also initiated formal builder education programs These include the governments of British Colum bia Alberta Saskatchewan Ontario and Quebec As well a National Education and Training Advisory Committee has beenestablished for the residential construction indus try to coordinate efforts and to share knowledge educational materials and techniques from across Can- renovation industry Courses are also available to help renovators incorporate energy effi ciency into their projects To keep their customers houses running smoothly tradespeople are being encouraged to learn the basic building science principles which govern how a house operates as an interacting set of heat air and mois ture flows Course developers be lieve that with some basic training in these house as a system prin ciples tradespeople will be able to plan and carry out more effective and problemfree jobs The training program consists of a series of courses covering state- oftheart techniques in such fields as air leakage control conventional insulation energyefficient win dow door and siding systems and whole house renovation As a re sult building tradespeople are learn ing how to offer a more comprehen sive service optimum levels of comfort safety and energy efficiency for their customers Furnace tuneups Heating system contractors are also being trained to carry out total as a way to offer their customers better service and to keep themselves ahead of the competition This new comprehensive ap proach to furnace servicing is help ing homeowners to reduce their heating costs and to increase their comfort by ensuring that heating systems are operating at peak effi ciency In a total tuneup all as pects of the heating system includ ing controls and distribution are examined cleaned and adjusted by trained contractors so that the sys tem is delivering heat as efficiently as possible Benefits for homeowner Experienced contractors find that the courses improve the quality of their work by giving them access to the most uptodate technologies and procedures In addition the courses offer an ideal opportunity for people interested in entering the building trades to get the training they need for success Overall the courses are increas ing the level of quality assurance that tradespeople can offer their customers As more builders and renovation contractors take the courses home owners and buyers stand to reap the improved techniauesanfi better service DIY Videos Help for the renovator Doityourself expert JonEakes has developed a new educational tool forthe Canadian handson home owner who needs straightforward and accurate help with renovation projects Using video as his medium Eakes has produced a series of videocas- settes for inhome stepbystep instruction covering the most popu lar howto subjects The series From House to Home will consist initially of 12 different titles The first three Renovation Zone tapes Basic Insulation Projects Special Insulation Projects and Ventila tion Heating Projects cover that major concern energy efficiency Renovation Zone is also the name of Eakes successful TV show whose development was supported by Energy Mines and Resources Canada Eakes who was also popular as TVs Mr Chips emphasizes that his videocassettes have the Cana dian content needed by Canadian doityourselfers US videos available are of little value north of the border because products build ing codes climate insulation and ventilation techniques arent the same he explains Interface Productions Eakes company is distributing the From House to HomeRenovation Zone series through HomeSiar Commu nications Inc of Toronto who will stock the tapes at lumber and build ing materials relailers hardware stores and bookstores Each video is minutes long and the sug gested retail price is NATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE BRAND REALTY INC 45 Mountainview Rd North Georgetown Experienced Knowledgeable service in a BusinessLike Way DON SARGENT Associate Broker BUSINESS 8730300 RESIDENCE 8382813 MARKET EVALUATION CERTIFICATE I this certificate for a noobligation Mattel your professional WIS 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