Housing expert provides BSTAIP training

BSTAIP students listen as Energy Matters President Gail Lawlor
describes the working of a HRV system.The week of December 6-10, 2010, was a big one for the students enrolled in the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Building Systems Technical Advisor Internship Program (BSTAIP). The BSTAIP students participated in a one week seminar led by Gail Lawlor, the President of Energy Matters. Gail is a leading consultant in making homes more energy efficient. Based in Thunder Bay, the purpose of BSTAIP is to develop a Métis workforce of highly skilled building inspection and energy conservation advisors, who are knowledgeable on current housing trends, so, Gail’s expertise was very valuable to the students.

Gail’s training was part of the BSTAIP Buildings Science class and focused on the concept of the “House as a System.” Topics covered during the week included air leakage, moisture control, heat flow, mechanical systems, air and ventilation sizing, thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Gail took a practical approach to teaching with assignments that required research and class presentations and concluded with a field trip to inspect the Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) system in one of the Rural and Native Housing units. “The week long seminar was very informative and interactive,” commented BSTAIP student Peter Ducharme, “we all learned a great deal from Gail that we will be able to use when we enter the labour market.”