Eco Institution
learn from an eco certified green consultant
Course Modules


Module 1: Cerified Green Consultant as a Profession
  • Lesson 1:
    How the New Environmental Movement Began
  • Lesson 2:
    Introduction to the Green Consulting Profession
  • Lesson 3:
    Industry Cohorts and Partners
  • Lesson 4:
    Ethical and Legal Considerations
  • Lesson 5:
    Inside the Customer's Home: Sensitivity and Safety




Module 2: The Green Home Survey
  • Lesson 1:
    Two Dimensions of Trust
  • Lesson 2:
    Building a Solid Business with Year-Round Income Stream
  • Lesson 3:
    The Future Potential of Energy and Water Costs
  • Lesson 4:
    Today's Homeowner: Quick Investment Paybacks Are Crucial
  • Lesson 5:
    The Contents of the Green Home Survey
  • Lesson 6:
    An Illustrative Suite of Services




Module 3. The Residential Ecosystem
  • Lesson 1:
    What is the Residential Ecosystem?
  • Lesson 2:
    Indoor Air Quality
  • Lesson 3:
    Indoor Water Quality
  • Lesson 4:
    Air Leakage: An Example of Quick Paybacks
  • Lesson 5:
    Energy and Water Use in the Home




Module 4: The Largest Energy Demand Use: Space Heating and Cooling
  • Lesson 1:
    The Thermal Envelope Concept
  • Lesson 2:
    Heating Technologies
  • Lesson 3:
    Cooling Technologies
  • Lesson 4:
    Ventilation Systems and Air Exchange




Module 5. Space Heating and Cooling Efficiency: Insulation and Thermostats
  • Lesson 1:
    Insulation: Types and Location
  • Lesson 2:
    Insulation's R-Values
  • Lesson 3:
    Insulation Installation and Upgrade
  • Lesson 4:
    Thermostats




Module 6. Windows & Doors as a Means of Optimizing Space Heating and Cooling
  • Lesson 1:
    An Introduction to Doors and Windows
  • Lesson 2:
    Types of Doors: Materials, Size, and Function
  • Lesson 3:
    Types of Windows: Material, Size, and Function
  • Lesson 4:
    Sealing Around Windows and Doors
  • Lesson 5:
    Window Aesthetics and Energy Efficiency: Coverings




Module 7. The Second Largest Energy Demand Use: Appliances
  • Lesson 1:
    The Electrical Subsystem and Appliance Use
  • Lesson 2:
    Kitchen Appliances
  • Lesson 3:
    Clothes Washing and Drying
  • Lesson 4:
    Home Electronics and Other Appliances around the House




Module 8: Water Use and the Third Largest Energy Demand Use: Water Heating
  • Lesson 1:
    The Residential Plumbing System
  • Lesson 2:
    Water Heaters
  • Lesson 3:
    Water Use in the Kitchen and Laundry
  • Lesson 4:
    Water Use in the Bathroom
  • Lesson 5:
    Outdoor Water Use




Module 9: The Fourth Largest Energy Demand Use: Lighting
  • Lesson 1:
    Purpose-Driven Lighting
  • Lesson 2:
    Light Bulb Types
  • Lesson 3:
    Reducing Lighting Costs
  • Lesson 4:
    Energy-Efficient Holiday Lighting




Module 10. Alternative Energy Solutions in the Home
  • Lesson 1:
    Introduction to Alternative Energy
  • Lesson 2:
    Solar Energy
  • Lesson 3:
    Wind Energy
  • Lesson 4:
    Geothermal Energy (Heat Pumps)
  • Lesson 5:
    Biomass Energy




Module 11. The Home Survey Is Done: Now What?
  • Lesson 1:
    Creating a Strategy and Setting Priorities
  • Lesson 2:
    Motivating Customers
  • Lesson 3:
    Staying in Touch with Customers




Module 12. Self-Help and Outside Assistance
  • Lesson 1:
    Do-It-Yourself Resources
  • Lesson 2:
    Routine Maintenance Needs
  • Lesson 3:
    Diagnostics Technology
  • Lesson 4:
    Government Help




Module 13. Going Green from the Start: Home Design
  • Lesson 1:
    Basics of Green Architectural Design
  • Lesson 2:
    The Principles of LEED
  • Lesson 3:
    The LEED for Homes Rating System
  • Lesson 4:
    Optimizing Heating && Cooling
  • Lesson 5:
    Maximizing Natural Light
  • Lesson 6:
    Minimizing Outdoor Water Use




Module 14. Putting Green Principles to Work in the Workplace
  • Lesson 1:
    Energy Costs in the Workplace
  • Lesson 2:
    Reducing Energy Use in the Workplace
  • Lesson 3:
    Government Help for Energy-Efficiency Improvements
  • Lesson 4:
    Using Water Wisely in the Workplace
  • Lesson 5:
    Recycling in the Workplace
  • Lesson 6:
    The Green Workplace Survey




Module 15. Marketing & Selling Your Services
  • Lesson 1:
    Creating A Strategic Marketing Plan
  • Lesson 2:
    Defining Your Brand and Value Proposition
  • Lesson 3:
    Designing & Producing Your Marketing Collateral
  • Lesson 4:
    Using Marketing Techniques to Generate Leads
  • Lesson 5:
    Creating An Effective Sales System




Module 16. Promoting & Publicizing Your Services
  • Lesson 1:
    Developing A Compelling Message
  • Lesson 2:
    Reaching Out to Local Media
  • Lesson 3:
    Writing Effective News Releases
  • Lesson 4:
    Becoming An Expert in Your Field
  • Lesson 5:
    Developing A Cost-Effective Advertising Campaign




Module 17. Promoting Your Services Online
  • Lesson 1:
    Building A Compelling Web Site
  • Lesson 2:
    Developing A Cost-Effective Search Strategy
  • Lesson 3:
    TPromoting Your Site to Blogs & Online Media
  • Lesson 4:
    Leveraging Online Social Media Tools
  • Lesson 5:
    Developing A Cost-Effective Online Ad Strategy

Green Courses - Eco Institution

What is a Certified Green Home Inspector?

A Certified Green Home Inspector is a person who is trained primarily to inspect residential properties and small-business workplaces in order to recommend changes that can be made to internal appliances and fixtures that will significantly reduce energy and water consumption and most importantly save money.

What will I learn from the Eco Institution's Green Home Certification Course?

The Eco Institution's Certified Green Home Inspection course provides all of the foundational information that future Certified Green Home Inspectors will need to know in order to enter and to begin succeeding in this new and exciting profession.

Among the topics covered in the course:

The importance of environmentally sound living in all phases of everyday life and business-and how these steps and behaviors can result in reduced energy and water usage and costs.

The principles and practices required in order to reduce energy and water use in the home and workplace.

Effective ways by which Certified Green Home Inspectors may audit homes and small businesses in order to identify and catalog opportunities for saving energy and water.

The architectural, design, appliance, fixture, and product changes that can be made in a home or workplace in order to reduce energy and water consumption.

The attitudes and behaviors that homeowners and employees need to adopt in order to consistently reduce energy and water use over time.

Government tax credits and other incentives that are available to reduce the cost of energy- and water-saving installations and related home and workplace improvements.

Cost-effective ways of marketing, promoting, and publicizing the Certified Green Home Inspectors auditing services to potential clients.