This course provides a technical introduction to high-performance commercial building systems in Alberta’s cold, heating-dominated climate. Starting with a baseline commercial building, learners work through the choices that improve performance across the building’s envelope, mechanical, electrical, and verification systems, and learn to read a commercial building as a single, integrated system rather than a set of separate parts.
This course is self-guided, intended to be completed in approximately six hours between September 22 – October 13, 2026. Connect with the instructor and other course participants through optional office hours via video conferencing.
At this time this course is being offered free of charge due to funding provided by RBC Foundation. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a recognition badge through Credly.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply a whole building design lens to commercial design and construction projects in Alberta
- Explain the choices that move an envelope above baseline performance, across insulation, continuity at transitions, and material selection
- Explain how mechanical system choices make a commercial building more energy efficient and reduce emissions
- Identify the load-management choices that improve a building’s energy performance
- Interpret how a commercial building’s predicted performance is confirmed in delivery
It is recommended you complete SNRG 009 High-Performance Building Fundamentals as a prerequisite (offered September 8 – 22, 2026).