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Click Here to learn about expanding your home inspection business to include a Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP)

Become an Energy Auditor/BPI Building Analyst/Rater or
an Energy Retrofitter/BPI Envelope Professional

This Complete Package Covers Both For as Little as $599

We are a Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited training provider. We feel the best way to be trained is visually. We use dozens of DVDs in our training so you see the things you should be auditing or retrofitting.

$699   Complete Package Covering Energy Auditor/BPI Building Analyst/HERS Rater/DOE-Weatherization Auditor AND Energy Retrofitter/BPI Envelope Professional/DOE-Weatherization Installer/Contractor.
    $599  If you are already an experienced home inspector
    $499  If you have purchased our home inspector training package
Add only $15 for S&H

This Complete Course covers all the topics required of BPI (BA & EP Certifications), RESNET (HESP, Rater, BPA & CHER certifications) and Weatherization for Auditors and Installers (including mobile homes), including the topics on both the written and field exams for these certifications.

This Complete Course includes the following: 

  • 21 DVD set Energy Auditor Training: Covers all the BPI Building Analyst Standards, the HERS Rater Standards, and DOE-Weatherization Core Competencies.

  • 12 DVD set Energy Installer Training: Covers all the BPI Envelope Professional  Standards, and the DOE-Weatherization Installer Core Competencies for Installers/Retrofitters/Contractors/Construction Workers.

  • 10 DVD set "Pre-Energy" Residential Basic Training for those without a construction background or who have gaps in their construction background (e.g. no HVAC experience).  This is not included if you are already an experienced home inspector.
  • 3 DVD Energy Auditor, Building Analyst (B.A.), HERS Rater, and DOE-Weatherization Training: Whole House Assessment, Diagnosing and Air Sealing   

  • 1 CD - CD includes BPI documents, OSHA, Thermal Bypass, Sample State Weatherization Standards, and Worker Safety

  • 1 DVD : Energy Business and Marketing issues

  • 4 DVD Equipment Training: Blower Door, Pressure Pan, Zone Pressure Diagnostics, Duct Blaster

  • 5 DVD Energy Basics: Basic Energy Concepts, Heat Flow, Climate and Comfort, etc.

  • 1 Book Residential Energy by Krieger and Dorsi

  • Auditor Inspection and Installer Forms on CD

  • What does an energy auditor do? An energy auditor determines how to make a home more energy efficient and comfortable. An energy auditor examines the heating and cooling equipment, thermostats, air infiltration, duct systems, filters, insulation, weatherstripping, windows, lighting, and appliances. The auditor inspects the attic, basement or crawlspace and runs diagnostic tests using blower doors to check the home’s envelope and duct leakage. An auditor can also use an infrared camera to find trouble spots. A home energy auditor identifies how much energy a home uses and then recommends prioritized improvements to increase the home’s energy efficiency and comfort level.

    What does an energy retrofitter do? A energy retrofitter makes a home more energy efficient and comfortable by changing the physical characteristics of the building. An energy retrofitter retrofits the heating and cooling equipment, thermostats, air infiltration, duct systems, filters, insulation, weatherstripping, windows, lighting, and appliances. An energy retrofitter uses the  prioritized improvements list created by the auditor to increase the home’s energy efficiency and comfort level.

    What certification is needed? DOE and most states do not require licensing to offer energy auditing services to the public. Some non-profit groups have created certifications that are increasingly being recogized, but not mandatorily required. The two most recognized and respected groups are BPI and RESNET (don’t be fooled by schools saying they will certify you–their certification is usually not recognized anywhere). BPI has been around for decades. With BPI, you can pass the certifications and be able to work on your own. With RESNET, you must always work with a provider. *See next page to learn about providers.

    What education and training is needed? It is virtually impossible to pass the certification exams without education and training. Audits are visual processes and we feel the best way to be trained is visually in a user-friendly format. The program is self-paced utilizing dozens of visually-oriented DVDs and an industry standard book. Most importantly, the emphasis of the DVDs is to expose you to on-site situations, so that when you get out on-site, you will be more familiar with the surroundings and can get started on the job much sooner.

    With home study, you get to keep all of the material and review it as often as you want. Most of our competitors offer a 2 or 3 day class. Honestly, how can you learn and retain all this information in 2 or 3 days? One competitor even told us they teach to the test, but most of their students have no idea what they are doing after that.

    How do I get certified? Remember, no state currently requires certification. We can help you with BPI certification.

    1. BPI Building Analyst Certification. This certification involves both a written and field exam. Our training package covers the material for both exams. The fee for the test is around $225. We can direct you on how to set up the proctored written exam. You must pass the written exam before coming to the field training and field exam. For the field exam, we offer a one day training class to use equipment that you will be tested on. The day of training is followed by part of another day scheduled for the actual test. Cost $400 for field day and $400 for field test.

    Our field day and test day are held in Salt Lake City, Utah and are scheduled as follows:

    August 18-19, 2011
    December 8-9, 2011

    If these days or place do not work for you, we can direct you to companies that offer the testing in an area near you.

    2. BPI Envelope Professional Certification. This certification involves both a written and field exam. Our training package covers the material for both exams. We can direct you on how to set up for the proctored written exam. The fee for the test is around $225. For the field exam, we offer a one day training class to use equipment that you will be tested on. The day of training is followed by another part of a day for the actual test. Cost $400 for the field day and $400 for the field test.

    Our field day and test day are held in Salt Lake City, Utah and are shown above.

    3. Combined BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional. Receive both certifications. Once you have purchased the energy auditor package, pay only $300 more and receive the unique items from the Envelope/Retrofitter package as well. You must pass both written exams before coming to the field training and exams. Both auditor and envelope will be covered in the $400 field day. You will have 4 hours to complete both field tests on the test day $800. Because much of the material overlaps, the extra time will help in completing the testing.

    Why is BPI certification so expensive?
    - Exam givers, both written and field, must be certified by BPI. They have gone through a lot of training to get to this status.
    - The field exam is one-on-one just for you. This means the trainers time is not divided amoung several people and so the costs are not shared.
    -The examiner has to pay a fee to BPI for each test given for the BPI review.
    - The field exam has to be on an actual home.

    What equipment is needed? Energy auditors usually need a blower door, a duct blaster, and manometers. In total, the costs range from $3000 to $5000. If you don't want to make the equipment investment, consider doing a HESP inspection. See the next page for details.

    There are Three Methods To Order Any Item On This Page--Choose What's Most Convenient For YOU

    1. Call Us Toll Free at (888) 466-4677 and place your order over the telephone. OR

    2. To Purchase Online with a credit card, Click Here OR

    3. To order by FAX,
    a.   Click Here and then click on the name of the item you wish to purchase.
    b.  Print the order form which appears.
    c.  Fill out the order form, including credit card information and then fax the form to our secure, dedicated fax 1-801-474-3289
    or mail it to PO Box 1986, SLC, UT  84110

     

    Prices subject to change. 2-3 day delivery available on training. Purchased DVD's licenses only for training one individual. Copyright penalty for prohibited use. Licenses are available for training additional trainees at reduced rates. Not available to professional trainers.

     

    Home Inspectors--Expand Your Business to Include
    a Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP)

    Only $250

    The course includes:

  • 10 DVD set Energy Auditor Training.

  • 1 DVD : Energy Business and Marketing issue

  • 1 Book Residential Energy by Krieger and Dorsi

  • 1 CD HESP Forms and HESP Exam Study Guide
  • What about certification? RESNET offers the HESP certification. This includes passing a $50 exam. You set up a proctor at a local library, college, or other testing center. RESNET uses a provider system. You can take and pass the test on your own ($50), but to claim you are certified HESP, you need to find a providor to certify you and to oversee your work (fees are paid to the provider). Check the RESNET website for a list of providers. If you do not tie in with a provider, you cannot claim you are certified, you can only say you passed the HESP test.

    There are Three Methods To Order Any Item On This Page--Choose What's Most Convenient For YOU

    1. Call Us Toll Free at (888) 466-4677 and place your order over the telephone.

    OR

    2. To Purchase Online with a credit card, Click Here

    OR

    3. To order by FAX,
    a.   Click Here and then click on the name of the item you wish to purchase.
    b.  Print the order form which appears.
    c.  Fill out the order form, including credit card information and then fax the form to our secure, dedicated fax 1-801-474-3289
    or mail it to PO Box 1986, SLC, UT  84110

    Prices subject to change. 2-3 day delivery available on training. Purchased DVD's licenses only for training one individual. Copyright penalty for prohibited use. Licenses are available for training additional trainees at reduced rates. Not available to professional trainers.

     

    Certifications in the Home Energy Arena

    Definitions

    There are basically two types of work being done in the energy arena:

    Evaluator/Auditor–does a survey or tests the house to see what condition the house is in from the energy standpoint.

    Installer/Contractor –Once the house has been evaluated, this person uses the information collected from the evaluator's directions to work the home. Installers do some testing as well, but typically only to see if their work is proving to be productive or to address possible safety issues in the homes they are working in (e.g. installers are required to "test out" at the end of each day and when their work ends to ensure that their work has not compromised the safety of the occupants)

    BPI has both evaluator and installer certifications while RESNET only has evaluator certifications.

    Certifications (in order of increasing difficulty of achieving)

    Home Energy Survey Professional - HESP (RESNET) Type: Evaluator –
    50 question test, No Field Exam. You don't need a provider to take the test, but you do need a provider to evaluate homes.

    Residential Building Envelope Air Leakage Control Installer – ALCI - (BPI) Type: Installer
    This certification a special testing circumstance – there is a very basic field exam with props that is directed solely at proving ones’ skills at caulking, blocking bypasses, foaming, etc. Technically there is no "written exam" since questions are delivered verbally by the field examiner and the examinee answers them verbally. So, in essence, this involves both a question based verbal exam as well as the field exam but both are limited to the examinee proving their knowledge and skills in the Air Sealing arena (no blower door or combustion appliance zone (CAZ) testing, no auditor oriented inspection skills required, etc.)

    Diagnostic Home Energy Survey Professional - DHESP (RESNET) Type: Evaluator – Must first be certified as a Home Energy Survey Professional
          In addition to having the knowledge base of the HESP, the examinee must also prove an ability to conduct diagnostic testing on both the building envelope and ductwork. You can be designated by your RESNET provider as a DHESP. In most cases this probably means that your provider will require to show him/her that you can properly conduct these diagnostic tests and show familiarity with any special concerns with your local climate.

    Building Analyst – BA (BPI) Type: Evaluator|
    This is the oldest and most common certification available for evaluating existing homes.

    Envelope Professional – EP (BPI) Type: Installer
    This is the oldest and most common certification available for retroffing existing homes.

    Home Energy Rater - Rater - RESNET Type: Evaluator - New Homes only 
    You must have a provider, pass the RESNET Energy Rater exam and, in the process, show proficiency:
    in the field in blower door testing, in evaluating a home in accordance with the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System, in entering data collected on a home evaluation onto a computer program, and in providing a final report on the rating of three homes

    Comprehensive Home Energy Auditor - CHEA – (RESNET) Type: Evaluator
    You must have a provider and you must be a Rater and then also show proficiency in:
    Providing a work scope according to BPI BA standards
    Providing combustion testing according to BPI BA standards
    OR
    Must be a BA and then also be able to accomplish:
    Building simulation and performance analysis
    Provide HERS ratings in accordance with the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System
    OR
    Be certified by the Texas Home Energy Rating Organization

    Other Specialized Certifications

    Manufactured Housing Professional Type: Installer
    See BPI web site

    Heating Professional: Type Evaluator and installer
    See BPI web site

    A/C or Heat Pump Professional: Type Evaluator and installer
    See BPI web site

    Multifamily certifications
    See BPI web site

    *RESNET Providers. You must find a provider on your own. Because you might be competing with a provider in your area, you might have to look for a provider outside of your area, but thi can involve significantly greater costs. Home Energy Raters are certified by RESNET-Acredited Rating Providers, not by RESNET itself. Not all Rating Providers have the same cost structure and business model. The Rating Provider must perform quality assurance "desk audits" on at least 10% of all energy ratings and follow-up field inspections on at least 1% of your ratings. All these processes require fees that are paid by the Rater to the Rating Provider.