Contractors and Energy Advisors work as a team to create a well-planned, well-built and energy efficient building or retrofit. The entire process must include both of their inputs and proposed solutions.

While their roles may overlap during a project, it's important to know how and when they contribute to an energy retrofit. It's also worth emphasizing to all workers on a project that their work will contribute to the overall building performance - this may require some crash-course learning in "whole home approach" and "house-as-a-system".

THE ROLE OF A GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Someone needs to organize trades, schedule stages of construction, secure materials and equipment, and execute the building plans to completion. This person is called a GENERAL CONTRACTOR. They have the most responsibility on a construction site and, in most cases, will have the most significant amount of resources tied up in the construction process.

During a construction project, a General Contractor will do the following:

• Complete a specified amount of work as agreed to in a written contract
• Communicate and organize with architects, engineers, clients and site workers
• Bring sub-contractors onto the job to complete specific stages (i.e. electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc..)
• Trouble-shoot any issues that may arise throughout the process, filing change orders when required
• Supply or rent equipment to safely complete work (i.e. scaffolding, generators, etc..)
• Ensure that inspections are done at stages of construction as per the contract AND for municipal building officials
• Plan and organize the timely delivery of materials, appliances and mechanical equipment as needed throughout the project

THE ROLE OF AN ENERGY ADVISOR

The energy performance of a building can be generally described as 'how well a building stays at a comfortable temperature and how much energy is required to maintain that condition'. Someone who specializes in making plans for the optimum performance of a building is called an ENERGY ADVISOR. They are experts in practical building science, occupant comfort and the general function of energy systems associated with heating, cooling and ventilating.

When a construction or renovation project is being planned and executed, an Energy Advisor will do the following:

• Communicate with clients, general contractors and architects about optimizing the energy performance of a building
• Examine building plans, specifications and other construction documents to devise improvements to building envelope assemblies and mechanical systems
• Create virtual energy models using modelling software like HOT2000 to plan energy efficient assemblies and systems for a building
• Perform diagnostic inspections and blower-door tests on existing buildings to establish baseline performance levels
• Execute tests and inspections at stages of construction / renovation to ensure that modelled performance targets are being met
• Trouble-shoot issues with contractors regarding the maintenance of insulation, air tightness and moisture control measures in a construction or renovation project

THE ROLE(S) OF A SUB-CONTRACTOR

A General Contractor often breaks up a project into smaller parts, hiring specialists to complete tasks like excavating, concrete, electrical wiring and plumbing. Those specialists are properly called SUB-CONTRACTORS. Each Sub-Contractor will possess certification and experience in their trade, executing their part to fulfill contract agreements.

In some cases, Sub-Contractors may need training in basic building science to understand the importance of energy targets and envelope or system requirements.

On a construction or retrofit / renovation project, a Sub-Contractor may complete the following tasks:

• Excavating, forming and building foundation layers
• Rough framing for floors, walls and roofs
• Layout and locating fixtures, hook-ups and panels
• Rough-in's, running lines and installing plumbing fixtures
• Running wires, installing receptacles and switch boxes, hook-ups to electrical panels
• Installing electrical fixtures (i.e. baseboard heating, lighting, etc..) and hooking up power to building equipment and appliances (i.e. furnaces, hot water heaters, alarm system panels, etc..)
• Running ductwork, fuel lines and installing HVAC equipment
• Installing renewable energy systems
• Installing insulation, control barriers and gypsum drywall
• Installing siding and exterior trim, including rain gutters / eavestrough
• Installing windows and doors
• Interior finishes and flooring (i.e. hardwood flooring, trim, tiles, paint, etc..)