Energy Efficient Home Site Visit in Helena, MT

Event Details

• Thursday, March 27
• 5:30 – 6:30 PM (optional happy hour - 7:00 PM at the Missouri River Brewing Company)
• Helena Habitat for Humanity project site (address provided upon registration)
• FREE – No cost to attend!
• CEs provided

Overview

Gain real-world insights into high-performance homebuilding at this no-cost, guided site visit training in Helena, MT. Explore two homes designed for energy efficiency, durability, and comfort in different phases of construction, as well as a mock-up of an exterior wall and roof assembly. Participants will examine building techniques, materials, and technologies that meet or exceed today’s energy codes.

This training is ideal for builders, architects, contractors, and code officials attending the 20th Annual Building Codes Education Conference in Helena. The site visit will complement conference sessions by providing an interactive, field-proven application of key energy efficiency concepts.

Who Should Attend?

• Builders, general contractors, developers and architects
• Code officials and inspectors
• Energy raters, HVAC contractors, insulation contractors
• Utility and program representatives

Registration

Space is limited - register today!

This event – presented by BetterBuiltNW, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Helena Area Habitat for Humanity - builds on recent training deliveries in Bozeman and Missoula in 2024, continuing our efforts to support local industry professionals with information on energy-efficient construction approaches and technologies.
Stay tuned for more Montana training being offered later this Spring!

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What You'll Learn

Led by instructors Carl Berntsen (NCAT), Shaun Hassel (BetterBuiltNW) and Construction Director, Mark Leland (Habitat for Humanity), this on-site training offers:

• A guided tour of 2 under-construction high-performance homes
• A behind-the-walls look at advanced building techniques that improve energy-efficiency, comfort & durability, including but not limited to:
  • Insulated slab-on-grade foundations
  • Double-stud walls
  • Air-sealing details that achieve low blower door test results (<2.0 ACH)
    
  • Mini-split heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems
  • Photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays
• Code & compliance strategies for meeting new energy efficiency standards
• Guidance on how to communicate high-performance home benefits to homebuyers & clients

Why Attend?

• Stay ahead of evolving energy codes, industry best practices & homebuyer expectations
• Learn cost-effective strategies to improve energy performance
• Get expert insights from the builder, HVAC contractor, project team, and training professionals
  
• Network with local industry professionals

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Continuing Education (CE) Credits

• AIA: 1 LU/HSW (pending approval)
• BPI: 1 CE (pending approval)
  
• ICC: 0.1 CEs (pending approval)
• NATE: 1 CEs (pending approval)

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Cost & Registration

FREE – No cost to attend!
Space is limited – Register now!

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Instructors

Shaun Hassel

Shaun has dedicated his career to supporting construction professionals in high-performance building practices. As a trainer, project manager, and consultant, he has worked with a diverse range of clients, from small nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies. He has led dozens of virtual and in-person workshops, focusing on practical, results-driven training to help professionals implement energy-efficient building solutions.

Carl Berntsen

Carl is a Mechanical Engineer entering his 4th year with NCAT’s Energy Program.  He has 10 years in Montana’s mining and construction industries and is pursuing becoming a licensed Professional Engineer, commercial Certified Energy Auditor, and residential ENERGY STAR(R) Verifier.  He is passionate about learning and teaching energy conservation construction techniques and technologies and bringing them into standard practice.

Partners