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2021 IECC May Require Lower HERS Scores and More HERS Rater Expertise

The 2021 IECC, or International Energy Conservation Code, will be the most up-to-date code focused on energy-efficient building, when published and ready for adoption later this year.

Designed to reflect today’s energy-conscious building standards while also challenging builders to push for greater efficiency, the 2021 IECC could certainly lead to the most energy-efficient housing stock in our country’s history.

One of the biggest changes to the 2021 IECC compared to previous versions of the code is how builders will be able to comply with its requirements using the Energy Rating Index (ERI).

What is the Energy Rating Index?

The ERI is a scale with numbers that range from 0 (to represent net zero energy) to 100 (to represent the approximate efficiency of a home built to the 2006 IECC). Each number on the ERI scale represents a 1% change in the relative energy efficiency of the building. Each point higher is 1% less efficient, and each point lower is 1% more efficient.

The ERI became a compliance pathway for builders wanting to meet the 2015 energy code. Many professionals noticed that the ERI at that time used the same numbers as the RESNET HERS Index, largely due to using the same energy rating software. As a result, these professionals (called Home Energy Raters) entered the discussion and looked for ways to capitalize on the new building code option.

In our post on the 2015 IECC code, we looked at the three compliance pathways that builders have for meeting code. It was an exciting time because the 2015 IECC introduced the ERI compliance pathway and listed requirements for blower door and duct testing. All these concepts resonated with the Home Energy Raters, due to their specialty knowledge in home energy rating and air leakage testing.

Flash Forward to 2018 IECC

The next iteration of the IECC came out in 2018. Although this version referenced the same underlying standard to calculate the ERI score, the resulting number varied slightly from the “equivalent” HERS Score. A modification made to the 2018 IECC concerning modeled ventilation rate caused this difference. Since then, the HERS Score and ERI Score have been slightly out of sync.

Looking Forward to 2021 IECC

The aforementioned blower door testing requirements remain intact, and, actually, the 2021 IECC takes duct testing even further. According to Ryan Meres, the RESNET Program Director, “the 2021 IECC eliminates the exception that allows HVAC equipment located entirely in conditioned spaces to not be tested. Under the 2021 IECC, all ducts will be required to be tested, regardless of location.”

So What’s New With ERI in the 2021 IECC?

Proposal RE192 makes the ERI target scores more stringent in each climate zone. The target score could be as low as 55 in some climate zones.
Proposal RE184 limits renewable energy production to reduce no more than 5% of total energy use.
Proposal RE209 applies additional efficiency improvements to all compliance paths, meaning that anyone who uses the ERI pathway will have to further lower their HERS Score target by 5%.

All these changes mean a builder would need to achieve a HERS Score somewhere between 40 and 50, depending on climate zone, and can only claim a 5% reduction in energy use for renewable energy.

What Role do HERS Raters Play Now?

Initially, there was a belief that the ERI compliance pathway would be the path of choice for meeting IECC requirements, due to the index being so similar to the well-established Home Energy Rating System (HERS). There’s already a network of trained and experienced HERS Raters who rely on the HERS Index with their daily work, so it made sense that builders would seek guidance from HERS Raters about meeting ERI.

But that was in 2015, and the 2018 differences between ERI and HERS led to more Raters thinking critically about the guidance to provide to their builder clients.

Because HERS Raters have an exceptional understanding of building science principles, they are viewed in the building industry as the go-to resource for energy code compliance. And with that knowledge, HERS Raters can make their own educated decisions on the best compliance pathway for their builder clients. Ironically, that often means that HERS Raters tend to choose the Performance Path as the best choice.

Compliance with both the ERI and Performance paths is demonstrated using RESNET-accredited software, so HERS Raters are already familiar with the building science and technology required, regardless of which pathway gets chosen.

Furthermore, the ERI will effectively require target scores to hit the same level of stringency as the net-zero appendix, without renewable energy, which is a stringency level far beyond the prescriptive and performance paths. HERS Raters, therefore, are more likely to choose the easier, and more cost-effective, compliance path for their builder clients.

If builders use the ERI pathway to meet the 2021 IECC, they will be expected to hit very low HERS Score targets. If builders choose to hire a HERS Rater, they can still achieve energy-efficiency goals, while making smart money choices and keeping their sanity.

What to Expect

The 2021 codes should be published around October 2020, but most states will likely not adopt the code for years to come. The U.S. Department of Energy will also be releasing its final savings analysis of the 2021 IECC later this year, though Christopher Perry of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that the new code will provide 10% or more in annual energy savings for residential and commercial buildings that use it.

At the end of the day, net-zero energy homes are the future. It’s clear that the building codes will push us to get there, no matter how long it takes for the states to adopt and implement the policies.

If you’re considering a career in home performance, look into becoming a RESNET HERS Rater. We expect to see continued growth and demand for HERS Raters in the building industry.

Start online today with RESNET HERS Rater Training and you’ll be well on your way to being a home energy professional!

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

Georgia Blower Door Certification Among 2020 Code Changes

As of Jan. 1, 2020, home performance contractors will need to satisfy the new Georgia blower door certification requirements, which seem to point to BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage, BPI Building Analyst, and/or RESNET HERS Rater Certification. Learn more about these certification recommendations.

New Georgia Building Codes

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs recently adopted eight new mandatory State Minimum Standard Codes with Georgia State Amendments.

The updated codes include:

2018 International Building Code with Georgia Amendments
2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Georgia Amendments
2018 International Fire Code with no Amendments
2018 International Fuel Gas Code with Georgia Amendments
2018 International Mechanical Code with Georgia Amendments
2018 International Plumbing Code with Georgia Amendments
2018 International Residential Code with Georgia Amendments
2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with Georgia Amendments

Of importance to us is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which often drives general contractors and HVAC technicians to pursue BPI Certification.

How BPI Certification Meets Georgia Blower Door Requirements

Building codes across the country have started to require blower door testing and/or duct testing. The code will typically say that this work is to be completed by a “certified third party” but fails to explain what that means. Thus, the local code official in your building department or code enforcement agency tends to be the decision-maker on what counts.

Let’s break it down this way…

“Certified” – BPI Certification is a nationally recognized certification program for home performance contractors interested in residential energy efficiency. The skills supported by BPI Certification align with the skills required to meet building code.
“Third Party” – meaning that homebuilders can’t do blower door tests on their own building projects. This is why many HVAC technicians step in and gain BPI Certification, so they can be subcontracted to work on these projects.

We’ll now discuss exactly which certification you should get to be in compliance.

Please note – you will want to contact your building department to see if your local code official has a preference that overrides our recommendation.

Which Blower Door Certification Should I Get?

When you browse our site or visit the Building Performance Institute website, you’ll notice that there are multiple BPI certifications to choose from. The requirements listed in the building code are already so technical and dense that it can be difficult to know what’s required, let alone which BPI certification to pursue. The two most common BPI designations that address code requirements are as follows:

BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage – blower door and duct testing
BPI Building Analyst – home energy auditing (blower door testing, combustion safety, and visual inspection)

In other words, if you’re an entry-level technician who just needs to run blower door and duct tests, then the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification should be sufficient. If, however, you want to use the results from those tests to help diagnose overall energy efficiency issues throughout the home, you might instead consider the BPI Building Analyst Certification. And finally, if you want the full breadth of knowledge, you might consider our BPI Building Analyst & IDL Combo.

Moving on to the RESNET HERS Rater Certification… RESNET is just a competitor to BPI. Both organizations offer nationally recognized home energy auditor certifications. The high-level difference is that RESNET tends to focus more on new home construction, and BPI tends to focus more on retrofitting existing homes. In addition, HERS Rater Certification is the ultimate designation on the RESNET side that represents the same, or greater, range of knowledge when compared to BPI Building Analyst & IDL. Unlike BPI, who has broken the certifications down by skill set, RESNET combines them all into the HERS Rater Certification. For a more thorough understanding of these two certification packages, check out our analysis of RESNET HERS Rater vs. BPI Certification.

What’s New in the Georgia Code

The new code, which is the first major revision in nearly a decade, includes substantial updates that will improve energy efficiency, as well as indoor air quality, moisture control, ventilation and occupant comfort in both residential and commercial buildings.

Mike Barcik noted the following changes that apply to single-family homes:

Building thermal envelope R-values – Changes involve R-38 ceiling insulation, improved windows, and reduced house leakage.
Ducted mechanical systems – A tighter 6% duct leakage is now mandated, while duct leakage to outside testing is no longer an option.
Whole-house ventilation systems – Because of envelope tightness, all new homes with a blower door test of less than 3 ACH50 require a whole-house ventilation system.
Hot water distribution – The new code now requires insulation for all hot-water piping located outside the thermal envelope, recirculation system piping and for any lines ¾-inch and larger.

Our major takeaway is the heavy focus on the building thermal envelope – ceilings, walls, windows, floors, foundations. Infiltration control is mandatory, so contractors will need to caulk and seal to prevent air leaks. Additionally, they will need to verify envelope tightness with blower door AND visual inspection. Ducts will need to be sealed properly and insulated. Verify tightness with a duct pressurization test.

Get Certified & Start Complying with Code

During our BPI Certification and RESNET HERS Rater courses, we’ll teach you the physical skills and necessary building science calculations so you can know whether a house meets the minimum code requirements or not.

For more information about Georgia blower door certification requirements, give us a call at 800-460-2575.

BPI Certification Changes Will Impact New & Existing BPI Professionals

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is making a whole host of changes in 2020. We anticipate that these BPI certification changes will improve the quality of the standards and the reputations of those who earn a designation.

The Good. These are technically sound upgrades to the certifications developed by industry representatives, and they are intended to be more applicable to folks in the field. With clearly defined job tasks, these certifications will allow professionals to differentiate themselves in the field and claim access to some of the billions of consumer and federal spending being directed toward home performance. That’s the good news.

The Challenges. The more challenging news is that the naming and branding of these certifications are a confusing mess. Especially for someone looking to get started in the industry. Quickly, how many of these acronyms can you spell out and explain the requirements for: BPI, BA, HEP, EA, BAT, BAP, BSP, CEU, MF, etc.

The New Certifications

Building Analyst Professional (BAP) – This Building Analyst upgrade will now combine the BPI BA and Envelope certifications – yay! Ultimately, the BPI Envelope Professional certification will be retired.

Building Analyst Technician (BAT) – This will now include diagnostic components of the current BA and Envelope certifications developed for the technician.

The pilot launch of these will likely start in April 2020, and BPI promises more info coming soon.

For Current BPI Professionals

BPI Certified Professionals who are currently certified as a BA and/or Envelope Professional will still be able to renew these certifications under the current testing/renewal scheme until the updated BA Professional certification is launched.

Certifications renewed before the launch will be valid for 3 years from the renewal date. Individuals who renew the BA Professional certification on or after the updated BA Professional certification launch will be required to certify under the new schemes set by the subject matter experts.

For anyone considering BPI Certification, get certified now before these changes take place. Claim your certification before the requirements and testing almost certainly become more difficult.

Other BPI Certification Changes

Home Energy Auditor Certification (HEP) now requires pre-approval to make sure candidates are qualified to test before the start the process. This is the highest-tier certification offered, and these pre-approvals are a good thing.

BPI Building Science Principles (BSP) is now being pushed more aggressively. BPI Certified Professionals can earn six CEU credits for earning the BSP Certificate, and if a Test Center (like Everblue) offers training, it’s possible for the training to provide additional CEU credits.

If you have any questions about BPI Certification, give us a call at 800-460-2575.

WELL AP Compared to LEED AP: Popularity, Exam Difficulty & Usefulness

If you work in the sustainability industry, you’ve likely come across two professional designations: LEED AP and WELL AP. The two are related, in that they both provide strategies to improve the human experience in our homes and workplaces. However, LEED AP also looks at holistic building strategies that reduce water and energy use, while WELL AP looks exclusively at human-centric design and health goals. Nevertheless, both certifications are well-known, so we’re going to compare them.

This post will compare the professional credentials by three metrics:

Statistics
Exam difficulty
Professional usefulness

Note: LEED Certification is technically for buildings and that I am actually writing about LEED accreditation here (which is for people).

Statistics Comparing WELL AP and LEED Certifications

Jobs near me on Indeed

1431 jobs calling for LEED AP

34 jobs calling for WELL AP

Google Searches

3,250,000 for “LEED AP”

243,000 for “WELL AP”

Professionals with Certifications

LEED Credentials Held: Over 200,000

*Estimated as of 2018

WELL APs: 985

*As of January 2020

As you can see, LEED is massively bigger than WELL AP. That makes sense, given that LEED is about 20 years older and is more firmly established. For background, WELL AP started about 5 years ago and was co-founded by Rick Fedrizzi, who also helped start the USGBC, which manages LEED.

Exam Difficulty

With tens of thousands of students trained, we have a lot of insight into the exam difficulty levels. Simply put, LEED is harder than WELL.

For you, a harder exam means it is more of a differentiator, which makes it more valuable.

But what if you are not a good test taker? Don’t worry, our LEED Green Associate training has a 99% pass rate and an exam guarantee (yes, that is a blatant plug for our training}.

Professional Usefulness

While I have my issues with the USGBC and their lack of serious progress / vision for the past decade, I believe that the LEED rating system is the single best approach to defining what it means to build a green building.

Studying the LEED rating system happens to be the best way to learn all aspects of green building. When I teach, students walk away inspired to go propose new concepts on their projects. Simply put, the process of studying for LEED will change the way you think about what is possible.

Even if you are not in the construction industry, I recommend LEED. It will open your eyes and you will learn something new.

WELL is also good, but it is still developing. I honestly think it needs about another decade to become practical and useful.

Personally, I am passionate about both the environment and human health. At the end of the day, I would recommend LEED over WELL AP.

Building Analyst Technician Certification to be Piloted in 2020

According to a January 2020 newsletter for BPI Test Centers, the Building Performance Institute (BPI) implied that a new certification, called BPI Building Analyst Technician, may become available.

In a brief, 3-sentence paragraph embedded in the middle of that newsletter, BPI shared its intent to offer a pilot testing program tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2020 “for the new Building Analyst Professional certification (BAP) and the additional Building Analyst Technician (BAT) certification.”

The newsletter goes on to say that the BAP Certification will include a combination of the current BA and Envelope certifications. The BAT Certification will include diagnostic components of the current BA and Envelope certifications developed for the technician.

What This Means in Layman’s Terms

Unfortunately, we don’t have any other details about these proposed certifications at the moment. We can only speculate.

My First Thoughts

My first impression is that BPI recognizes the overlap between BPI Building Analyst and BPI Envelope, and that one (or both) of these certifications seek to address that duplication.

My next thought is, “Will BPI Building Analyst and BPI Envelope certifications exist in addition to Building Analyst Professional and Building Analyst Technician?” Insert the head-exploding emoji. I can’t imagine that BPI would offer three certifications that are called Building Analyst in some shape or form. That’d be way too confusing.

Questions About Building Analyst Technician and BAP Certification

BPI’s description of the new certifications brings to my mind many questions, such as:

Are Building Analyst Professional and Building Analyst Technician replacing BPI Building Analyst? And/or replacing BPI Envelope?

Will Building Analyst Professional only cover building science principles (classroom concepts)?

If so, how does Building Analyst Professional differ from the BPI Building Science Principles certificate of knowledge?

Will Building Analyst Technician only cover the hands-on blower door and duct leakage testing and combustion safety testing?

If so, how does Building Analyst Technician differ from the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage Certification?

Will there be a need for someone to earn both the Building Analyst Professional and Building Analyst Technician certifications?

What happens to legacy Building Analyst professionals? Will that title expire?

Where We Are Now

We look forward to hearing more about these proposed changes and watching the pilot testing program play out.

Personally, I hope that BPI has thought through the answers to the questions posed here.

As a BPI Test Center, Everblue offers several BPI training courses:

BPI Building Science Principles
BPI Building Analyst
BPI Envelope
BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage
BPI Multifamily Building Analyst
HEP Energy Auditor
HEP Quality Control Inspector

If you’re new to BPI certification, it’s probably difficult for you to determine the difference between those certifications by name alone. I’m worried that adding two more certifications with “Building Analyst” in the title will cause even more confusion.

At a minimum, I think the intent is for Building Analyst Professional and Building Analyst Technician to be subsets of what we know as Building Analyst now. The descriptions of each certification combine to make up the current Building Analyst. But who knows.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

I understand that it’s a tough place to be in.

On one hand, you want to offer as many pathways as possible to allow people to begin working in the industry. And I commend BPI for wanting to be responsive to workforce needs.

On the other hand, by offering too many options, you create what’s called “option paralysis.” Option paralysis is the idea that, when faced with unlimited choices, people will ultimately get so confused and apprehensive that they’ll end up making no choice at all. This would not be good for the home performance industry, or BPI.

More Information Coming Soon

It’s too early to know what will happen, but second quarter 2020 is right around the corner, so we hope to have more information soon.

What Do I Do Now?

The Building Performance Institute has existed since 1993 and has been offering workforce programs for over 20 years.

During that time, Building Analyst Certification has been the gold standard for home energy auditors. I’d be really surprised if BPI abandoned the Building Analyst Certification altogether.

The building science and diagnostic skills are still relevant and valuable to anyone interested in working in the home performance industry.

So my recommendation would be to still pursue BPI Building Analyst certification now. The designation has name recognition among employers and is named explicitly in some utility rebate programs. You should take advantage of those benefits.

In addition, the pilot testing program for Building Analyst Professional and Building Analyst Technician is just that – a pilot, which means nothing is set in stone.

In fact, by the end of the pilot testing period, BPI may learn that the new certifications do indeed cause too much confusion and may choose not to pursue them at all.

We will just have to wait it out and see what happens. But you heard it here first! There may be upgrades to Building Analyst Certification, including the introduction of BAP Certification and BAT Certification.
If you have any other questions about BPI certification, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

Learn more about Everblue's BPI Building Analyst Training

How to Become a LEED Inspector…Is That a Real Job?

No, officially, you cannot become a LEED Inspector. However, I understand what you’re looking for – someone who evaluates green buildings and ensures that the systems:

were installed correctly

work properly

and are actually as energy-efficient as advertised

This type of job does exist. It’s just not called a LEED Inspector.

There are a few concepts to break down in that title.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (just good to know).

LEED Certification is a label for buildings, not people. There is a separate LEED Accreditation process for people (we’ll go over that later).

There are several different jobs that include inspecting aspects of LEED buildings (keep reading).

To clarify, companies can call their job roles whatever they want during the hiring process, so a sustainability consulting firm may want to hire for a LEED Inspector role. In their case, they are looking for someone to assist their clients with the LEED Certification process.

But LEED Inspector does not exist as an official credential, certification, etc.

The LEED Building Certification Process

In order for a building to earn a LEED certification label, the following things have to happen:

A team of knowledgeable professionals has to set goals for the project.

The team will align their goals with the LEED Rating System credit requirements.

By completion of the project, the team will have to satisfy the intent of several LEED credit categories and earn at least 40 LEED points.

The team will submit all LEED project documents to the Green Business Certification Inc. for review.

When do LEED inspections occur?

LEED inspections can occur during the new construction phase of a building project or as part of the operations/maintenance plan of an existing building.

In either case, the building will undergo two levels of LEED inspection before it gets certified:

one inspection done by a Commissioning Agent

one inspection done by the GBCI

A Commissioning Agent will verify that the building’s energy-related systems and equipment are installed and functioning as intended. Building commissioning, as it’s called, not only helps the overall performance of the building but also helps project teams earn LEED points toward certification. The commissioning process includes reviewing building plans, inspecting systems, and monitoring performance. To learn more, see our article here on the relationship between commissioning and LEED.

The Green Business Certification Inc. (or GBCI, for short) is a nonprofit organization that manages the LEED building certification process. They organize documentation, review all building features, and keep detailed records. The GBCI is the authority on determining if a building satisfies the intent of the LEED Rating System. A building’s LEED certification label is ultimately awarded by the GBCI.

Up until this point, our focus has been on commercial buildings. But inspections occur on LEED Homes too. The job title to describe this role is LEED Green Rater. LEED Green Raters provide in-the-field verification services on LEED Homes projects. They are responsible for verifying that the home was designed and built to the rigorous requirements of the LEED Rating System. It turns out that LEED Green Raters are actually more knowledgeable about the parts of a home and general energy-efficient construction practices than LEED specifically. You can learn more by reading our article on who should become a LEED Green Rater.

The U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI offer a LEED Certification Reviewer Workshop to qualified LEED APs (with a Specialty) who want to complete LEED project certification reviews. In teams, participants apply their advanced technical knowledge to the review of a real LEED project. This workshop is the first step in attaining the LEED Project Reviewer certificate. In addition to their LEED AP Specialty status, candidates must have at least two years of LEED project experience to participate in this program. Presumably, this workshop enables candidates to assist with the official LEED project review process under the employment umbrella of the GBCI.

On the other hand, similar workshops only offer the knowledge to provide context so that LEED APs can understand the responsibility that real GBCI Reviewers have.

GreenCon 2018: What Your LEED Reviewer is Looking For

Think Like a Reviewer: Best Practices for LEED Projects

LEED Reviewer Experts Are Available to You

So, how do I start?

The first step for anyone interested in working with LEED building projects is to learn the LEED standards.

LEED covers 100+ green building concepts, touching areas in the design, construction, and operations phases. As you can imagine, someone who is responsible for inspecting LEED buildings should be familiar with the LEED Certification process and what’s required.

The best way to learn the LEED requirements is to participate in one of our LEED Green Associate training courses. During this class, you’ll become exposed to LEED requirements concerning building materials, location and transportation, indoor air quality, water efficiency, and more. When you walk away from the LEED Green Associate course, you’ll have the foundational knowledge to understand how a building can pursue LEED Certification.

As you become more invested in LEED building inspections, you may choose to upgrade your LEED Green Associate knowledge by becoming a LEED AP with a Specialty. LEED AP is the second-tier credential for people interested in LEED. This title represents an advanced understanding of the strategies that can be used to help a building get LEED certified. Since commissioning agents and LEED Green Raters work exclusively on LEED certified buildings, it might make sense that they take the extra step to become a LEED AP.

Note – you cannot jump straight to a LEED AP with a Specialty. You have to pass the LEED Green Associate exam first. Honestly, you’ll want to devote just as much time and attention toward the LEED Green Associate level as the LEED AP level; LEED Green Associate teaches you the fundamental principles that LEED AP will ultimately build on. However, if you are looking for the fastest path to LEED AP, you might consider studying for both exams at the same time. We offer LEED Training Bundles, which let you make custom combinations of our popular LEED exam prep courses.

For any other questions about careers involving LEED or how to earn a LEED credential, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

NABCEP Certified Installers Get Hired by Top Solar Installation Companies

Solar Power World, a leading solar publication, released its annual list of the Top Residential Solar Contractors earlier this week. While reviewing the list, I noticed something that the best-of-the-best solar installation companies have in common: they hire NABCEP Certified Installers.

As Sunline Energy notes (#29 on the list), there are different tiers of solar installations:

Those done by amateurs who have purchased solar panels from Amazon and go the DIY route
Those done by licensed electricians
And those done by certified professionals

You may think that licensure and certification mean the same thing. But that’s not true.

States require licenses to perform a service, whereas certification is a voluntary extra step to market your advanced depth of knowledge.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (or NABCEP) is the most well-known organization for creating solar workforce standards. The NABCEP solar certifications are recognized internationally.

Which type of solar installer do you want to be?

You could do the bare minimum and earn the state license. I call this the bare minimum because oftentimes, state licensure exams only test your knowledge of business ethics and financial management. Believe it or not, the state solar license exams often glaze over the actual solar installation concepts! Can you imagine being a licensed solar installer and NOT having a basic understanding of how solar installations work? This is where NABCEP Certification comes into play.

The NABCEP standards have been vetted for decades by thousands of experienced industry professionals. When you pursue NABCEP Certification, you are gaining the knowledge and best practices of those who have come before you. Instead of learning the hard way, NABCEP Certification offers you the *best* way.

90% of top solar companies benefit from NABCEP Certification

There are 243 residential solar companies on the Solar Power World list. My goal was to research every company on the list and evaluate whether or not they hired NABCEP certified installers.

But the answer became obvious after researching the first 30 companies. Of the top 30 residential solar companies, all but 3 have NABCEP certified installers on staff.

What this means is that solar companies understand the value that comes with NABCEP Certification. These companies want to hire solar installers who have taken the time to invest in the solar industry. It’s like that old phrase of talking the talk vs. walking the walk.

Why do solar companies prefer hiring NABCEP certified installers?

NABCEP certified installers:

Know the most efficient methods of installation
Know the safest approaches to complex projects
Have a clear understanding of the materials and tools needed
Have documented training and work experience to verify their competence

When solar companies hire NABCEP certified installers, they know that they are hiring quality.

It’s important for solar installers to separate themselves from the amateur DIYers.

NABCEP Certification is the best way to stand out. Companies and consumers alike trust the NABCEP brand because it represents knowledge, skills, and abilities that exceed the baseline expectation.

The takeaway

If you’re serious about becoming a solar installer, you really should include NABCEP Certification on your list of goals.

And if you’re new to solar, try not to feel overwhelmed. The NABCEP Certification Handbook spells out every step needed to qualify for the certification exams.

In short, NABCEP Certification is attainable for beginners as well as licensed electrical contractors. The only difference is that licensed contractors can probably skip some of the entry-level steps and earn certification faster.

It doesn’t matter where you start or what your background has been in. If you want to work in the solar industry, you owe it to yourself to learn about NABCEP Certification.

At Everblue, we offer solar training courses that introduce electrical concepts and help qualify you for NABCEP Certification. After you’ve read the NABCEP Certification Handbook, you’ll see how our NABCEP training packages can help you. We’ve designed each package to align with the NABCEP training prerequisites. If you have any questions about solar training or NABCEP Certification requirements, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

Customer Service Representative Role: Everblue Hires Joseph Charles

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph Charles, who will join the team at our NC headquarters in our Customer Service Representative role.

Joseph will be corresponding with new and existing customers by phone, email, and live chat. In addition, Joseph will be processing orders that come through our website.

“I am excited to be joining Everblue because their LEED training and solar energy courses really drive home their commitment to sustainability,” he said. “It’s an important cause, and I am proud to be working for a company that shares my beliefs about transforming the world to one that works off of renewable energy sources. I am also able to stay close to home and my family, which is very important to me. I am very fortunate to have found an extended family in Everblue Training.”

Everblue's customer service representative role goes to Joseph Charles

Joseph is a recent graduate of NC State University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources.

As part of his coursework in the Poole College of Management, Joseph participated in multiple studies that analyzed the quality of customer service and customer relations at big companies that include Smoothie King and Personify. These research projects gave Joseph a unique, up-close view at how companies approach talent acquisition and, specifically, helped him to understand which customer service traits are most important in the real world.

While going to school full time, Joseph worked in the Customer Service Representative role for Gap and a disc jockey for NC State’s college radio station. An acclaimed public speaker, Joseph is not shy around others and, instead, is very comfortable problem solving and assisting customers with their needs.

Joseph underwent a rigorous hiring process for Everblue, which included meeting multiple team members in person and during phone interviews and participating in simulated customer service phone calls.

“Our team was extremely impressed by Joseph’s level of professionalism, responsiveness, and research,” said Lesley Cowie, marketing manager for Everblue. “We quizzed him on our programs and terms of service to see how he would handle a typical conversation with a prospective customer. Not only was he helpful, but we were blown away by the level of knowledge and research that he’d already done about our company! It was a no-brainer to hire him. He fit in so perfectly and already has been such an asset.”

The whole staff is incredibly excited to welcome Joseph to the team.

Program Manager Role: Everblue Hires Sean Gray

We’re excited to announce that Sean Gray has joined the team at our North Carolina headquarters as a Program Manager, where he’ll be responsible for the logistics and growth of the BPI Certification, RESNET HERS Rater, LEED Certification, and Solar Energy Training programs. He will serve as an in-house subject matter expert on all topics related to building science principles and energy efficiency.

The Program Manager position is one of the most important roles at Everblue, with job functions that span curriculum development, sales and marketing, customer service, and operations.

In addition to creating course curriculum, Sean will also teach several of our courses on how to become a certified home energy auditor under the BPI and RESNET technical standards.

Sean Gray is Everblue's Program Manager Sean brings over 10 years of experience in code development, energy auditing, and customer service. He started his professional career with the Department of Technology at Appalachian State University, working in commercial/institutional energy auditing. He continued institutional energy auditing with the Industrial Extension Service at NC State University, participating in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant programs.

Sean was introduced to industrial energy auditing with Air Components & Systems, a distributor of Ingersoll Rand air compressors. He then moved into the residential sector, serving as a BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional, Home Energy Rater, and ENERGY STAR Rater in coastal North and South Carolina with Above & Beyond Energy.

Most recently, Sean served as a regional Field Supervisor for Franklin Energy, leading a team of BPI Building Analysts providing residential energy assessments for the local utility.

Upon joining Everblue, Sean said, “I am really excited about this position. This is a great opportunity to take my passion for sustainability and energy efficiency and put it to good use. My career has centered around finding opportunities for efficiency improvements in buildings and sharing my knowledge with customers. The Program Manager role at Everblue is a chance to share my passions with people who have the same interest in building a more sustainable future.”

Sean’s enthusiasm for improving the built world and educating people on forward-thinking methods of construction matches perfectly with Everblue’s mission and training courses. We’re just as pleased to add him to the team!

LEED Certified Professionals: Is There a LEED Credential for My Industry?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are predominantly meant for the construction industry. However, construction encompasses a wide variety of occupations and sub-industries, from sustainable product sourcing, waste removal, marketing/sales, HVAC to the actual builders, architects, and engineers. LEED certified professionals can come from a variety of backgrounds (and honestly, they’re not called “certified” – in the LEED world, people become “accredited”).

Therefore, if you’re interested in LEED, you have to be cognizant of the fact that LEED is a holistic system for environmental design. That means it takes into account all the moving parts that go into the design, construction, and operations of buildings – and not just one type of building, but all types of buildings (new construction, existing, retail, schools, healthcare, etc.)

LEED certified professionals study these tracks

Once you’ve recognized that LEED will teach you the A to Z characteristics of green building, then you can focus in on your specific niche. This is where the LEED credit categories come into play.

LEED Credit Categories

As we mentioned above, LEED refers to a spectrum of strategies related to sustainability and green building. The spectrum is literally outlined in the LEED Rating System and is known as a LEED Credit.

There are 9 LEED credit categories. They are:

Integrative Process
Location & Transportation
Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy & Atmosphere
Materials & Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation
Regional Priority

As you can see, there may be a credit that applies more to your specific industry/occupation than another.

In order to become well-versed in LEED (and especially if you want to earn a LEED credential), you will have to be proficient in all LEED credit categories. However, depending on your role in an organization or building project, it may be perfectly appropriate for you to hone in on a specific category.

For example, if you work for a commercial cleaning company, you will definitely want to spend time reviewing the Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality credit categories because that’s where most of the information about green cleaning comes into play.

Which LEED Credential is Right for You?

The answer to this question is an easy one, and it doesn’t matter what your occupation is, your work experience, or your educational background.

The first step for ALL candidates interested in LEED is the LEED Green Associate credential. This is the entry-level credential that introduces the LEED Rating System and LEED credit categories. It’s during the process of studying for the LEED Green Associate exam that you become more familiar with the requirements, and intentions behind, each of the LEED credit categories.

After you’ve passed the LEED Green Associate exam, you’ll have a much better understanding of how LEED works as well as how you can apply LEED concepts to your specific job role.

Your Job is NOT a LEED Specialty

LEED certified professionals, as you may still be tempted to call them, regularly work on green building projects in a supervisory role as what’s called a LEED AP with a Specialty. This specialty means that you are focusing your efforts on a specific track of green building. Note here that specialty does not refer to your occupation/industry. If you decide to upgrade to a LEED AP with a Specialty, you will have to choose from the five specialties offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (the creators of LEED).

The 5 LEED AP Specialty credentials that exist are:

Building Design + Construction (new construction & major retrofits)
Operations + Maintenance (existing buildings)
Interior Design + Construction
Neighborhood Development
Homes

You’ll see that each specialty refers more to a building type than an industry, per se. Remember, after all, that LEED is a green building rating system for buildings. So when you choose to become a LEED AP, you are choosing to specialize in a specific type of green building projects.

Now if you don’t work on green building projects regularly and/or just need to have a basic understanding of how LEED works, then the LEED Green Associate credential would be sufficient.

But the fact remains, all candidates have to start at the LEED Green Associate level. After you’ve educated yourself on LEED during the Green Associate phase, you’ll have a much better understanding of where to go from there.

Start today with LEED Green Associate Exam Prep training to get the LEED fundamental principles out of the way. You’ll learn all the proper terminology, including why “LEED certified professionals” is not technically correct. You’ll also gain insight into 100+ areas of green building!