September 18, 2018
This year marks 21 years the Building Performance Center has been in business. Thank you to all who have helped make us a success. We look forward to the next 21 years!
History of the BPC
The Building Performance Center (BPC) was founded in 1997 as a new division of the Opportunity Council, a non-profit community action agency serving Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties. BPC was originally housed with, supporting and complimenting, the existing Energy and Home Repair division of the Opportunity Council which provided energy assistance, weatherization assistance, energy conservation and home repair programs to low income residents. As a new division, BPC focused on delivering technical training, support and “best practices” technologies regarding weatherization and conservation programs in market rate and low-income housing. We contracted with the Federal Department of Energy (DOE) and the Washington State Department of Commerce (WADOC) to provide these services throughout the state of Washington.
Until recently, the Building Performance Center was one of only six training entities within the United States providing training services. Training was offered to a small network of Washington state weatherization community action programs, private contractors who worked with these programs, and tribes who were funded through WADOC as weatherization providers. Typically the training was provided in rented facilities, such as hotel conference rooms, rented houses, or at community action agencies.
Additionally, BPC has been a leader in the integration of healthy homes work practices and principals into the operations of weatherization programs. This work began with the development of a “Weatherization Plus Health” model, and funding from EPA and HUD in 2001-2003. Since that time, the OC has continued to operate and refine this integrated approach to address health issues in homes where children with respiratory ailments reside.
Mission statement
The Opportunity Council’s Building Performance Center improves lives through better building performance and operation. Our technical training, quality assurance, professional consultation, and program delivery promote homes and work spaces that are safe, healthy, durable, and energy efficient.
