Residential Building Science Fundamentals is a foundational SAIT Micro-credential course that introduces the principles of residential building science and the House as a System approach. Participants explore how water, air, heat, and vapour interact to influence comfort, durability, energy use, indoor environmental quality, and overall building performance. Topics include climate-resilient construction strategies, passive heating and cooling, and approaches for measuring and reducing operational and embodied carbon.
Designed for professionals working in residential construction, renovation, design, or related fields, this training is ideal for those preparing to work on deep energy retrofit projects or strengthen their understanding of residential building performance. No prior deep energy retrofit experience is required, although a background in the residential building sector is beneficial.
By the end of this training, learners will be able to:
Residential buildings are a significant source of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, making building performance knowledge essential to improving the sustainability of existing homes. Understanding how water, air, heat, and vapour interact within a home helps inform decisions that improve energy efficiency, durability, indoor environmental quality, and long-term building performance.
This SAIT Micro-credential course helps build the foundational knowledge needed to support deep energy retrofit projects and other low-carbon building initiatives. As Canada works toward a more sustainable future, skilled professionals are needed to evaluate building performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and support strategies that reduce operational and embodied carbon. By strengthening residential building science knowledge, this training contributes to workforce capacity that supports building decarbonization and climate resilience.
C2R2 is a pan-Canadian coalition of colleges, cégeps, and polytechnics dedicated to bridging the skills gap for a resilient recovery. Our members have the expertise and agility to deliver impactful training programs and applied research that support energy security and sustainability. Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, serves as the Coordinating Secretariat for C2R2, leading national projects and advocacy.
