In this course, students will gain a fundamental understanding of energy and emissions including where energy comes from, how it is used or captured, and the impacts it has on people and the planet. Students will learn about climate change mitigation and adaptation, resilience, economic and health benefits, and much more.
In this project-based course, students will practice completing a high-quality whole-building LCA and preparing an environmental building declaration. Prior knowledge of building design and construction is recommended for success in this course.
The course will prepare students to conduct a wbLCA and prepare an environmental building declaration by understanding the quality and sources of data, advanced methods, and interpreting results using the Impact Estimator for Buildings web tool. Key topics include advanced data considerations, EPDs, advanced method issues for Module D (recyclability, biogenic carbon, carbonation, off-gassing), benchmarks, comparisons, and wbLCA practices consistent with national guidelines. Prior knowledge of building design and construction is recomended for success in this course.
Learn the fundamentals of life cycle assessment (LCA) and embodied carbon in construction for designers, energy advisors, energy modelers, and policymakers.
100% online, Sept 10th – Oct 8th (independent work + 2 live lectures on Sept 10th + 24th), Wednesdays 12-2PM $271.12
Prerequisites: None
This course helps students learn how to manage new construction, coordinate construction for larger, more complex buildings and become familiar with tools and construction checklists to systematically manage relevant issues for zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings
Key topics include the airtightness, enclosure details, thermal bridging, mechanical services, construction management, quality assurance construction checklists, and compliance documentation.
100% online, Sept 18th – Oct 16th, Thursdays 6-9PM
This short course will provide participants with foundational knowledge on the mechanical and electrical systems found in Net Zero, Net Zero Energy-ready, and Passive House buildings.
Key topics include common mechanical systems, energy source options, BC Energy Step Code and Passive House requirements, and integrated design.
100% online, Monday/Thursdays, Dec 1st – Dec 8th, 1PM-2PM
$135.56
Prerequisites: XZEB 1001 AND XZEB 1120
Through a case-study approach, this course outlines decision-making for planning, designing, and constructing/renovating a Zero Energy home with integrated solar PV and electrical systems.
Key topics include critical elements of a design-build process, pre-design considerations and requirements, future-proofing for new technologies and electrical circuit load capacity, equipment and monitoring options, and hand-off best practices.
100% online, Oct. 29th – Nov. 26th, 2025, Wednesdays 4-7PM, $406.68
In this 3-day lab course, complement your learning from XZEB 1120 through hands-on practice with lab activities covering air and thermal barrier approaches and details for foundations, above and below grade walls roods, interfaces, windows, balconies, penetrations, and low embodied carbon insulation material options.
100% In-person at BCIT’s Burnaby campus, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 4th- 6th, 2025
8AM - 4:30PM, $776.91
*Prerequisites: XZEB 1001 and XZEB 1120
Learners will gain a detailed understanding of the Passive House Standard, design principles, economics, construction, and certification requirements. The course will cover the 5 basic principles of a Passive House building and provide an in-depth review of building enclosure topics, including insulation, thermal bridging, airtightness, and windows/doors. Upon successful completion, students will earn designation as a Certified Passive House Tradesperson, registered with the Passive House Institute.
Through a case-study approach, builders, designers, project managers, and energy advisors will learn best practices needed to ensure good design, installation, and verification of HVAC systems in residential projects.
Key topics include Energy Step Code and Passive House requirements; HVAC mechanical system options, costs, and performance; and best practices from design, tender, installation, and verification.
100% online, Dec. 1st – Dec. 11th, 2025, Monday/Thursday, 6-9PM, $271.12