The Future of Building Science Training Is Mobile
Earth Forward House is a dynamic, hands-on learning environment designed to deliver premier training and testing for Building Performance Institute certifications. This immersive experience empowers weatherization contractors, employers, and educators to train, certify, and recertify field staff with greater speed, efficiency, and affordability than ever before.
Compact
•
Efficient
•
Convenient
•
BPI Approved
•
Mobile
•
Flexible
•
Cost Effective
•
Interactive
•
Customizable
•
Multi-Purpose
•
Compact • Efficient • Convenient • BPI Approved • Mobile • Flexible • Cost Effective • Interactive • Customizable • Multi-Purpose •
Most Training Centers Can’t Keep Up or Show Up
Earth Forward House Provides Solutions.
“While demand for weatherization work was high (many homes are ready to be weatherized) the workforce lacked the necessary training to meet the growing demand.
”
The Workforce Gap Is Widening and Hands-On Training Is the Missing Link
-
The problem:
Demand for BPI approved field test sites and proctors outpaces availability and capacity. Many organizations and individuals are forced to wait weeks or months to secure exam slots, delaying staff certifications and compliance requirements and negatively impacting construction deadlines and work schedules.How Earth Forward House solves it:
Certifications where you need them. Earth Forward House is a mobile BPI approved field test site that arrives on site ready to host exams and field training at your desired location, eliminating extensive employee travel. It can facilitate training in rural, underserved or hard to reach locations and can provide additional support in high demand areas.
Certifications when you need them. Instead of relying on overbooked training centers and extended waiting lists, weatherization contractors, building scientists, and educators can schedule testing when it fits their calendar, accelerating workforce readiness.
Certification volume needs can be met. Multiple units can be deployed to reduce backlogs in high-demand areas. Earth Forward House can meet both short term and long term training needs.
Supports weatherization workforce goals. By decentralizing test capacity, Earth Forward House can bring building science certification access to communities and locations that need it the most.
-
The problem: Many training centers provide bare bones training that lacks hands-on, real-world situational training and fails to teach much needed critical thinking and problem solving skills.
How Earth Forward House solves it:
Designed by industry professionals, for industry professionals. Earth Forward House was designed and built by a collaborative team consisting of weatherization contractors, builders, designers, architects, and educational experts. Design development was supported by field testing, student and client feedback, and real world application.
Construction details that enhance learning. Building materials, architectural details and mechanical equipment were intentionally selected and incorporated into the house to support BPI testing requirements and enhance practical field knowledge.
A holistic approach to training. Interested parties can utilize Earth Forward Group’s industry expertise through our thoughtful curriculum; or partner with our experienced teaching staff, who can facilitate a variety of on-site trainings. We implement industry-leading teaching that emphasizes interactive, hands-on, personalized learning.
-
The problem:
Many training environments don’t mimic the conditions of common residential construction, making it difficult to display typical construction details or to teach diagnostics, air sealing, or energy testing techniques accurately.How Earth Forward House solves it:
Built like a real home. Earth Forward House replicates standard residential building practices such as wood frame construction, varied building materials, attic access and typical mechanical systems. This provides trainees with a realistic testing environment.
Controlled and repeatable conditions. Instructors can recreate scenarios (e.g., air leaks, pressure tests, insulation faults) to teach diagnostic problem-solving in a controlled environment.
Fully instrumented. Designed to meet BPI field test standards, Earth Forward House includes all of the necessary equipment and set up to facilitate a variety of standard testing scenarios. Storage has been intentionally designed to house a variety of industry standard tools and accessories.
Safe and accessible. Unlike field training in occupied homes, the unit consistently offers a clean, controlled, hazard-free environment.
-
The problem:
Academic and technical programs often rely on classroom instruction alone. Students graduate with theoretical knowledge but little experience using real-world energy auditing tools and diagnostics.How Earth Forward House solves it:
Bridges classroom and field. Students can be introduced to real life conditions in a safe, controlled environment.
BPI-approved setup. Instructors can conduct recognized training sessions and field exams within the unit, providing direct certification pathways.
Enhances engagement and retention. Hands-on learning helps students grasp complex concepts faster, retain them longer and builds confidence for real-world application.
Portable lab for multiple campuses. Schools can lease or rotate the unit among partner institutions, expanding access to practical learning.
Moving Forward With
Earth Forward House
Green Jobs. Healthy Homes.™
BPI Approved field site
Meets standards for conducting a variety of BPI field exams, while also providing access to instrumentation, blower doors, duct work, and diagnostic setup.
Optional Mobility
Option to be built on a trailer for ongoing mobility or delivered directly to the site of your choosing without a trailer.
Residential Style Construction
Wood frame construction featuring a variety of construction styles, materials, and equipment utilized to replicate real world building conditions.
Rent, Purchase, or Build
Choose whether to rent, purchase or build your own Earth Forward House from detailed construction drawings.
Fully Customizable
Can be utilized for a variety of industry recognized applications in its standard construction or individually modified to meet the needs of clients based on their geographical location, standard course offerings, or individual needs and preferences.
On-Demand Instructors
Additional offerings include relevant curriculum and training facilitated by Earth Forward Group’s industry certified instructors. Options available across all acquisition models.
“As an instructor, I’ve struggled to find suitable locations for field exams that replicate real-world conditions. For contractors like myself, efficient and accessible training for our technicians is crucial. The ability to conduct training on-site minimizes lost revenue and travel time. These are all key benefits that Earth Forward House provides.
”
Earth Forward House Packages
Tailored Solutions to Meet Every Need
| Solutions | Overview | Availability | Ideal For: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Model | Pre-built, turnkey mobile training house with all BPI-aligned diagnostic tools included. Ready for immediate deployment. | Immediate availability | Programs or contractors needing an instant, compliant training solution |
| Base Model + | New construction unit built to order with standard features and limited customization options. Includes all essential equipment for field testing and training. | 6–8 weeks from contract + shipping | Organizations seeking a balance between readiness and personalization |
| Custom Build | Fully customizable build designed in collaboration with the EFG team. Includes advanced upgrades and design services (hourly design fees apply). | 4–6 months from contract + shipping | Institutions and training programs seeking a signature mobile training environment |
| Solutions | Overview | Availability | Ideal For: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Rental (Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Options Available) | Pre-built Earth Forward House unit(s) available for short-term training or demonstration use. Fully equipped and turnkey. | Short-term deployment based on availability | Organizations hosting short term training events, conferences, or workshops Schools/Organizations not able to commit to ownership and maintenance of a house |
| Solutions | Overview | Availability | Ideal For: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Instructor Engagement | Certified instructors available for on-site or virtual training sessions. Can be added to any Earth Forward House purchase or independently for existing facilities. | Based on instructor availability; scheduled upon contract | Organizations lacking in-house certified trainers who want to deliver professional, BPI-aligned instruction immediately |
| Curriculum Purchase | Proprietary workforce development curriculum, designed for Building Performance Institute certification preparation. Can be paired with instructors or used independently. | Immediate access upon contract | Employers, training programs, and educators seeking a turnkey, proven curriculum for weatherization and building science education |
| Equipment Packages | Comprehensive, BPI-aligned diagnostic equipment kit, pre-configured with all tools needed to conduct training and testing across multiple BPI certification areas. Designed for seamless use with any Earth Forward House or existing training facility. | Available upon request | Programs expanding their technical capabilities, upgrading equipment, or maintaining multiple training houses |
| Solutions | Overview | Availability | Ideal For: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard License (Standard House Designs) | Full architectural drawings and remote consultation for one build. Material sourcing and construction not included. | Plans available immediately; consultation within 2–4 weeks | Organizations seeking to construct Earth Forward House themselves, to manage exact specifications and build with their own team |
| Multi-License (Institutional Program Designs) | Discounted multi-build license for institutions or large training programs. Includes drawings and remote support for up to 5 builds. | Plans available immediately; remote support within 2–4 weeks | Schools, utilities, or workforce agencies scaling training capacity or replicating builds regionally |
| Custom Modifications (Design Support + Tailored Drawings) | Direct access to our design team to modify existing plans or create new layouts and technical features that match your program goals. | Timeline dependant upon amount of modifications | Organizations requiring unique, technically aligned designs for advanced training or demonstration purposes |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Earth Forward House features a variety of mechanical equipment and construction conditions required for testing and has storage to house all of the tools needed for training. House features include a variety of construction styles, materials, and commonly encountered conditions to support a variety of teaching applications. Each unit can be built to the base offering or be custom designed and outfitted to meet individual client needs.
-
Earth Forward House’s compact size allows it to be affordable and its mobility means it can save clients time and money by showing up to a job site, a regional location, schools or wherever else it may be needed. No need to book far in advance or send students or employees to far off training facilities. It can be where it is needed, when it is needed. You can be rest assured that it will be able to perform the desired technical applications without unexpected hazardous conditions, inappropriate set up or missing or malfunctioning equipment or building conditions.
-
The house can be used in rural, suburban, and urban areas. It can be utilized at a job site, adjacent to a traditional classroom, or wherever it is needed. It is designed to fit on a trailer to allow for continued mobility or for delivery to a permanent location. Trailer transport does not require a CDL licensed driver, just a pick up truck with a hitch and a confident driver. It can easily fit into a driveway or parking lot, so it can be used anywhere, anytime.
-
Both options are available. Earth Forward House can be utilized for a variety of industry recognized applications in its standard construction or individually modified to meet the needs of clients based on their geographical location, standard course offerings, or individual needs and preferences.
-
Earth Forward House comes with the option to add on scheduled support via phone and email. Our staff includes program managers, technical instructors, industry experts, and construction support collaborating to provide well rounded, expert consultation.
In addition, Earth Forward Group offers consultation on curriculum development; provides instructors for training sessions; facilitates train-the-trainer programs to build up client’s staff; and oversees program development and management. All of these options can be accessed as stand alone offerings or utilized in conjunction with Earth Forward House to build up your organization.
-
Fill out our form below.
Get in Touch for Pricing or More Information
Whether you’re interested in exploring pricing options or scheduling an info session, you can use the form below to connect directly with our team. Simply fill out your details and let us know what you’re looking for. We look forward to following up with you.