Overview
Successful deep energy retrofits begin with understanding how homes perform. Residential Building Science Fundamentals introduces the House as a System approach, showing how water, air, heat, and vapour interact to influence comfort, durability, energy use, and overall building performance.
This SAIT Micro-credential course explores building science principles, climate-resilient construction strategies, passive heating and cooling, indoor environmental quality, and methods for measuring and reducing operational and embodied carbon.
You’ll engage in 24 hours of learning over three weeks, combining online self-study with mandatory three-hour, weekly instructor-led virtual group sessions. Interactive discussions, assignments, and practical exercises help you connect technical knowledge to real-world residential projects.
By the end of the course, you'll have a foundational understanding of how building systems interact and influence residential performance. This knowledge supports the next step in your Deep Energy Retrofit learning journey: SNRG 005 Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Fundamentals.
This course is ideal if you:
- work in residential construction, renovation, or design and want to build a stronger foundation in residential building science
- are preparing to take on deep energy retrofit projects or low-carbon building work
- need practical tools for assessing and improving home performance
- want to align your work with climate resiliency and sustainability goals.
To be successful in this and subsequent courses in the Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Certificate, we recommend that you have one or more of the following: a high school diploma, a post-secondary technical diploma or degree, skilled trades training, or an industry certification.
Current or previous experience in construction, architecture, engineering, or related technical fields is also beneficial.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- integrate building science principles and house as a system considerations into residential project planning
- integrate key aspects of indoor environmental quality in residential building designs
- analyze carbon emissions in residential construction by differentiating between operational and embodied carbon, utilizing available tools, and understanding the role of materials in deep energy retrofit envelope upgrades.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
Upcoming dates
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Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled, and blended courses, and one day before the start date for online self-paced courses.
After you've completed this course
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.
Micro-credential
SAIT Micro-credentials develop future-ready skills aligned to emerging technologies and industries and include competency-based testing. Earning the SAIT Future-Forward Skills Micro-credential demonstrates to employers that you have the required competencies — combining knowledge, skills and abilities — to stay ahead in a rapidly changing workplace. Learn more.
Students who complete this course with a final grade of A- (80%) or higher will earn the Micro-credential and receive a shareable digital badge that validates their achievement.
Costs
Textbook and reading list
Included in the purchase of this course, you'll receive course content accessible online in Brightspace (D2L).
Technology
To be successful in this course, you’ll need:
- Access to your own computer or laptop with standard hardware/software requirements
- Functional webcam and microphone
- Internet access.
Financial support
Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.
Applicable certificates
- Certification type
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Certificate of Completion
Train your team
Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.