Training with the hawai’i State Energy Office
Trainings Residential Energy Contractors (TREC)
The Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) is excited to launch the Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) program, a new statewide initiative designed to build Hawai‘i’s residential energy efficiency workforce.
The TREC program provides high-quality, industry-recognized training for contractors, tradespeople, aspiring contractors and energy professionals, and community partners interested in expanding their skills in home performance, energy efficiency, and heat pump technology. TREC will also provide training for contractors qualified to perform work eligible for rebates from the U.S. Department of Energy through HSEO.
Available Courses
Through partnerships with Hā Sustainability, Everblue Training, and Hui O Hauʻula, participants gain access to online courses, certifications, and live webinars that equip them with the tools and knowledge to make Hawai‘i’s homes more energy-efficient, comfortable, and resilient. Participants can complete individual courses or progress through a series of certifications to build advanced technical energy and building science expertise.
Courses offered include:
- BPI Building Science Principles Certificate – Learn how the systems in a home interact to affect energy use, comfort, and indoor air quality. This foundational course introduces key building science concepts and prepares participants for advanced BPI certifications.
- BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA – T) Certification – Apply building science knowledge through hands-on diagnostic testing and data collection. This certification focuses on blower door testing, combustion safety, and home performance evaluations.
- Everblue Heat Pump Installation – Gain the skills needed to properly size, design, and install efficient air-source heat pumps. This course covers system operation, energy benefits, and installation best practices.
- BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA – P) Certification – Advance your skills to model home energy performance and design effective energy upgrade plans. Learn to use diagnostic data to develop scopes of work that improve efficiency, comfort, and safety.
- ENERGY STAR Certification Overview – A fast-track course providing an overview of ENERGY STAR certification and safety standards in the Weatherization Assistance Program. Ideal for contractors and energy program staff seeking foundational energy efficiency training.
- Multifamily Energy Auditing – Learn to assess and improve energy performance in multifamily housing. This course addresses the unique systems, occupancy patterns, and safety considerations of larger residential buildings.
- Training Dates available from now till Dec. 2026
- 2027 Training Calendar coming soon
Energy Modeling Trainings
HSEO hosts Energy Modeling Training to educate and spread industry knowledge on different modeling software to model with emissions in mind. Information on past trainings is below.
Energy Modeling for Building Design
SESSION # 1: Introduction to Energy Modeling
This first session dived into the fundamentals of building energy modeling, including simple box modeling techniques for early design phases—a powerful tool for designing low-carbon, high-performance buildings.
Energy Modeling for Building Design – Part 1 of 3
Learning Objectives
- What building energy modeling is and how it works
- How designers use it to optimize building performance
SESSION # 2: Menu of Energy Modeling Tools
Organized by AIA Honolulu COTE and the Hawaii State Energy Office. A practical look at a variety of energy modeling tools available to support early-stage design decisions. From quick web-based platforms to powerful software plug-ins. Experienced users demonstrated each tool’s capabilities through exercise-based examples, giving attendees a firsthand look at how these platforms can best support their unique design process.
Learning Objectives
- Tools that can evaluate options for high-performance design
- Users will demonstrate each tool’s capabilities through exercise-based examples
Energy Modeling for Building Design – Part 2 of 3
Session #3 Energy Modeling Training #3 in partnership with HSEO & AIA COTE
Building on the concepts and tools introduced in earlier sessions, this workshop offers an
interactive, in-depth experience with a widely applicable energy modeling platform. Facilitators will guide participants through the interface, workflow, and outputs, while encouraging creative problem-solving using real-world constraints.
Affordable Zero Energy Homes Trainings
In 2025, HSEO worked with Sam former Director of the Energy Star for Homes to bring awareness of building innovation both domestic and globally. More information and training materials are linked below.
Six Strategies for Affordable Zero Energy Homes
Affordable housing is a top priority for Hawaiʻi’s communities. Achieving long-term affordability means addressing construction costs, energy use, and disaster resilience.
Sam Rashkin, former Director of the Energy Star for Homes Program and author of Housing 2.0, included presentation on six strategies for affordable zero energy housing, hosted by AIA Honolulu, Hawaii Energy, and the Hawaii State Energy Office.
