Page 29 – Everblue Training

BPI Field Training is Hands-On in a Real Home Environment

When it comes to learning, some people often overlook their preferred learning style in favor of superficial factors that seemingly appeal to them. Cost, schedule, and simplicity are often the most valued features that a person considers when trying to purchase something – let alone education. Ironically, placing value on these superficial features often causes a person to sacrifice the ultimate goal, which is learning! Let’s take a moment to talk about why the “learn-by-doing” strategy is the most effective way to enhance your skill set, especially when it comes to BPI field training.

Who Needs BPI Training?

In the home performance industry, you have a series of contractors who specialize in various components throughout the home – windows, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc. More and more homeowners are not only seeking general improvements to the old equipment in their homes but also seeking options to save energy (and money). What they’re looking for is an all-around home performance contractor who can identify problems throughout the house, make recommendations, and provide corrective action. These customers are not looking for a series of specialists to employ. This is why contractors from a variety of backgrounds are seeking BPI training and certification – so they can be the one-stop-shop solution.

How to Learn About Home Energy Efficiency

Contractors who genuinely want to grow their skills and expand their business prefer BPI training over another way of learning. BPI training emphasizes the importance of the “house-as-a-system” mentality, which means that all the components in the home are interconnected and that a technician must be knowledgeable about how they all work. Sure, a contractor could go the cheap route and buy a book to read. In the interest of time, a contractor could try to challenge the BPI Certification written exam. Both of those options would be pretty simple – but will the contractor actually learn the skills and proper technique to perform home energy audits and feel confident about using those skills in the field?

Why Hands-On Field Training is the Best Way to Learn

The best way to learn about home energy auditing is by doing it! By participating in a live BPI training course, you gain valuable hands-on experience with concepts that you’ll use in the field. What we mean by hands-on experience is real time to learn how to use diagnostic equipment, such as a blower door and duct blaster, and practice using those tools to diagnose air leakage in the home. This type of job training addresses every learning style – visual, auditory, verbal, kinetic, logical, social, and solitary – so everybody walks away having learned new skills. There are components within the 5-day BPI training course that enables participants to flex their skills in each of these areas.

HVAC Testing Manometers BPI field training

Whether you decide to participate in the “theory” part of training via a live classroom environment or an online webinar, it is imperative that you participate in live, hands-on training to gain exposure to the energy auditing equipment. We strongly believe that home performance professionals – that is, the people responsible for the health and wellbeing of home occupants – should have experience working with the job tools and practicing home energy audit procedures. BPI training is the best outlet for acquiring this knowledge and experience.

During our BPI training courses, you’ll acquire the following hands-on skills:

Measuring air leakage with a blower door and manometer
Measuring duct leakage with a duct blaster and manometer
Testing the draft and spillage of gases from old HVAC equipment using a combustible gas leak detector
Determining the presence of poisonous carbon monoxide with a CO analyzer
Overall familiarity with home elements, ranging from insulation to windows and lighting

Due to the hands-on nature of home energy auditing, it’s important for contractors to seek appropriate training. You would be doing yourself (and your customers) a disservice by shying away from hands-on field training. In addition to gaining relevant skills, you also have the opportunity to ask questions in real time with your experienced energy auditing instructor as well as network with technicians in your area. The proficiency you demonstrate during hands-on field training directly leads to your success on the BPI Certification field exam, so why not participate in an engaging environment and learn by doing?

At Everblue, we provide all the energy auditing equipment for our students. As one of our BPI training participants, you also gain access to exclusive equipment discounts from leading manufacturers, such as The Energy Conservatory.

Add home energy auditing to your business offerings today! We offer BPI Certification training in a number of locations across the country. Give us a call at (800) 460-2575 or start a live chat with us to discuss the training options nearest you.

Commercial Energy Benchmarking Has Come a Long Way

I just read a fantastic article from Cliff Majersik, of the Institute for Market Transformation, talking about the growth of energy efficiency in this nation. The Huffington Post article appropriately compares this growth to the blossoming of spring – how is this appropriate? Because what we’re seeing is more and more cities across the country requiring energy benchmarking among their commercial buildings. Energy benchmarking is the process of measuring a building’s energy use over time, thereby establishing a baseline and acquiring the necessary data to make informed decisions about future energy efficiency upgrades. The reason this article was so striking is because it highlighted three major developments that occurred just last week (Aug 20-24).

Atlanta became the first major Southeast city to adopt an energy efficiency policy for commercial buildings. The City Council voted unanimously in favor of this policy.
Portland’s City Council also voted unanimously to pass its Energy Performance Reporting Policy for commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet. This policy was approved on Earth Day!
Congress passed the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, which addresses energy use benchmarking in federal leased buildings. It’s the first energy bill passed by Congress since 2007!

I was also interested to learn that Atlanta and Portland’s new policies are actually not the first of their kind. There are similar commercial energy auditing policies in New York, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Austin, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle (!!). Clearly, these policies have proven to be effective, giving rise to additional policies throughout the country.

Why is Commercial Energy Benchmarking So Important?

Commercial Building Energy Use After its citizens, buildings are typically a city’s most valuable assets and also the largest users of energy. In the U.S., the building sector accounts for roughly 40% of total energy consumption. Portland has over 5,000 commercial buildings that spend more than $335 million on energy annually. These buildings are responsible for nearly a quarter of Portland’s carbon emissions.

Improving building energy use should be a top priority for all building owners and facility managers. These energy benchmarking policies provide transparency to potential tenants and owners about building energy performance and motivate investment in energy efficiency improvements that reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and building owners’ overall energy costs. Of course there is also the added bonus of positive PR; top-performing buildings are likely to gain additional exposure and praise via the media, case studies, and other communication outlets.

“Today, my clients, tenant customers and staff expect energy efficiency,” said David Genrich, general manager at Jones Lang LaSalle, a professional services and investment management company specializing in real estate. “Tracking energy use has become a core responsibility of good building managers, and this policy [in Portland] ensures consistency across the board.”

How You Can Get Involved

The recent passage of Atlanta and Portland’s commercial building energy policies bode well for proposed legislation in other municipalities. Even more, if you are a building owner or facility manager, you should definitely start to research commercial energy use and ways that you can begin tracking it in your buildings. It is very likely that your city might be the next one to adopt a policy!

Some immediate first steps may include the following:

Enroll in our Commercial Building Energy Auditor course to get a better understanding of the topics related to commercial energy use. In this course, you will gain familiarity with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, which is the tool that many of these local ordinances are suggesting to their building owners and facility managers. This online training course is the perfect introduction to commercial energy auditing and will give you a solid foundation to make a difference in your community.
Consider earning a LEED AP Operations and Maintenance credential. This designation embodies all the same fundamental knowledge and objectives that a facility manager will experience when tracking energy use in a commercial building. The only difference is that this credential is specific to commercial buildings that have earned a LEED Certification. The LEED for Existing Buildings rating system has its own checklist of ways that building owners can measure and track energy use. Given that LEED is its own internationally-recognized standard for green building, a LEED AP with this designation would, of course, adhere to the requirements of the Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance rating system. This option is great for facility managers who are already eyeing their building’s energy use and want to take their efforts to the next level.

It’s a great time to become a commercial energy manager. See our post on energy manager salary for more information on this career pathway!

Also, check back with us for more information about new ordinances that get passed! We’re excited to see city officials taking commercial energy use so seriously. This is a step in the right direction, and we’re feeling pretty confident that more cities will follow suit!

Solar Energy Courses are the First Step to Getting a Job in Solar

When people think about sustainability, one of the first images to come to mind is a technician putting solar panels on a house. Solar = sustainability. Sure, there are a wide range of jobs and activities that actually make up the sustainability industry, but by and large, many people think about solar. We commonly get live chats from people looking to break into the sustainability industry via a job as a solar panel installer, and they’re not really sure how to get started. Truly, the first thing you’ll want to do is research solar energy courses.

Here is your brief guide to joining the sustainability industry as a solar PV installer.

First, let me just say that solar is a great add-on service for general contractors, builders, roofers, and electricians. Professionals in these fields are already working in construction – be it residential or commercial – and, like everyone on the planet, they’re looking for ways to better their skills, gain new clients, and grow their businesses. Solar can do exactly that. Many states have rebate programs that incentivize homeowners to add solar panels to their roofs. This causes homeowners to look for qualified solar contractors to perform the work – boom!

But what if you are completely new to the construction industry and want to learn more about solar energy?

Not a problem. Like every other occupation, there will be a degree of education and training required before you start climbing the ladder (literally) up to someone’s roof and try to put solar panels there. You will need to have a basic understanding of electricity and safety. Solar training can provide this for you. There are a number of solar energy courses out there – some online, some in live classroom settings. It really doesn’t matter which one you choose. What matters is that you indeed participate in an appropriate training course that will teach you the fundamentals.

Solar training provides an opportunity to install solar panels

After you learn the basic information about electricity and safety, you’ll want to familiarize yourself more with solar photovoltaic systems. As a solar contractor, you will be responsible for planning the design and installation of solar PV systems. Yet again, there are solar training courses available to help you get acquainted with this subject matter. Oftentimes, these advanced solar energy energy courses will actually include hands-on portions. During a hands-on training course, you can work in a team to assembly a solar PV array. This skill is incredibly valuable if you want to join the clean energy industry as a solar PV installer. You will be able to immediately apply these lessons to the work you will encounter in the field.

Now, with the right training and experience under your belt, you might consider earning a solar certification.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the industry leading organization for awarding solar certification to qualified professionals. Many of the NABCEP certifications have specific education, training, and experiential requirements before you are even eligible to sit for the certification exam. Thankfully, most solar training programs (especially those that are approved and accredited through IREC) align with the eligibility requirements for NABCEP Certification. You should seek out an appropriate solar training provider to ensure that you will meet both the education and experiential requirements to sit for the exam.

Voila! Once you have earned your NABCEP solar certification and completed a solar training program, you will be more than qualified to enter the solar workforce as an installer. You can work as an apprentice for a solar contractor or start your own solar PV installation business! Get started today – give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

Pass the LEED Exam by Utilizing These 5 Strategies

We love hearing from our students and getting feedback about their LEED exams. We recently heard from a student from our Boston LEED training class who wanted to provide thoughts on how to pass the LEED exam – like she did.

She sent a note to our instructor, Joan Darvish-Rouhani, that she passed the LEED Green Associate exam with a score of 190 (out of 200!). She also supplied some tips for her classmates to help them avoid the often-seen procrastination stage. We wanted to share these words of wisdom with you all…

1. Just take the exam already! You will want to study and study and study to the point where you won’t know if you’re ready to take the exam or not. You’re ready. You know this stuff! Joan taught you everything you need to know to pass the LEED exam. Do not procrastinate any longer!

2. Make use of mnemonics. The test-taking tips and techniques that were introduced in our LEED course haven proven success and work!

3. Look for questions on the exam that have been reworded. You might find several questions asking about the same topic – this will either be easy points gained or easy points lost!

4. Do not stress about math. There were very few math problems on the LEED exam. Most questions asked about the LEED credits.

5. Pay attention to how the question is worded. Several of the questions may ask you to select two or three answer choices. The question will come up as incomplete if you don’t check off the proper number of responses. This notice will show up when you hit the Review button.

At Everblue, our goal is to help you pass your LEED exam and earn a valuable sustainability certification or accreditation. Our LEED exam prep training combines professional, high-energy delivery with a no-nonsense, only-what-you-need-to-know approach to provide an intense learning experience. Since the launch of the new LEED v4 exams, our students have reported a 99% pass rate on the LEED Green Associate exam. Get started today by calling us at (800) 460-2575.

Energy Codes in Action

We’re 5 days away from the National Energy Codes Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This is the first national conference dedicated solely to energy codes since 2011. The conference will focus on the development, adoption, and compliance of state energy codes. As you may know, the United States does not have a national energy code or standard, so energy codes are adopted at the state and local levels of government.

DOE National Energy Codes Conference photo

Why is This Important?

Model building codes exist to provide guidance and to standardize the expectations for a building’s quality, safety, and energy performance. Model codes get updated every three years in order to incorporate new technologies, materials, and methods into our building processes. The three-year gap is meant to provide sufficient time for proof of performance and enhanced health, safety, durability, and energy efficiency.

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is one building code of note. The IECC establishes minimum design and construction requirements for energy efficiency. Buildings that meet the model energy code use less energy, which reduces utility bills – and puts money back into consumers’ pockets.

Looking strictly at residential IECC adoption, the majority of states are operating under the 2009 IECC. The second most popular code is the 2012 IECC, which means that more and more states are seeing the value of increased energy efficiency in our buildings. According to a report developed by the DOE, a homeowner can save $388 in the first year by implementing the 2012 IECC over the 2009 IECC.

What Does the 2012 IECC Cover?

Some items to consider in regard to 2012 IECC include the following:

New homes being built must be caulked and sealed to create an air-tight envelope.
Ducts and air handlers must be sealed with maximum leakage testing to show tightness.
Wall insulation should be R-15 or R-13+1 Continuous.
Hot water pipes need R-3 insulation.

The requirement gaining the most awareness is that of duct leakage testing. Both the 2009 and 2012 IECC require duct tightness to be verified. Verification must be shown through blower door and duct blaster testing.

According to the Department of Energy, verification can take place via either a post-construction test or a rough-in test:

“For the post-construction test, leakage measurement must be made across the entire system, including the manufacturer’s air handler enclosure, with all register boots taped or sealed at a test pressure of 0.1 inches w.g. (25 Pa). The 2009 IECC limits the leakage to outdoors to less than or equal to 8 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area or total leakage less than or equal to 12 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area. The 2012 IECC only contains a requirement for total leakage of less than or equal to 4 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area.

For the rough-in test, leakage measurement is made across the system, with the manufacturer’s air handler enclosure if it is installed. The test is conducted at 0.1 inches w.g. (25 Pa) with all registers taped or sealed. The 2009 IECC limits leakage to less than or equal to 6 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area when the air handler is installed and 4 cfm when it is not installed. The 2012 IECC limits the leakage to 4 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area when the air handler is installed and 3 cfm when it is not installed.”

State Energy Code Adoption image

Energy Codes in Action

Next week’s National Energy Codes Conference is themed Energy Codes in Action. This is such a fitting theme, seeing as to how the 2009 and 2012 energy codes appear to be what’s driving residential energy efficiency training among home builders, energy auditors, home inspectors, and general contractors nationwide. As soon as a state decides to adopt a new energy code, home performance professionals start to read up on the new requirements and seek training. This brings me to a few case studies to illustrate the point.

Case Study #1: Nashville Energy Code

The first national conference dedicated solely to energy codes since 2011 will be taking place in…Nashville, TN.

Who would have thought that Nashville would be the epicenter for this conversation? From the information on energycodes.gov, you would see that Tennessee is operating under the 2006 IECC. However, we at Everblue have witnessed a dramatic increase in TN for training regarding duct and air leakage testing. For the last three months, we’ve talked with scores of builders throughout the state who are craving knowledge that will help them meet or exceed code. As we mentioned earlier in this post, it is up to the state and/or local governments to adopt the code. Having done some research, it looks like there are several cities in TN that have adopted the 2009 or 2012 IECC, which would absolutely explain why so many practitioners have reached out to us for training.

We keep directing these inquiries to the BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage course. BPI IDL launched in September 2014 to directly address 2009 and 2012 energy code requirements. This certification course focuses exclusively on blower door and duct blaster concepts to help professionals understand duct and air leakage. Our next Nashville BPI training course is scheduled for May 21-22. We encourage those attending the National Energy Codes Conference to join us for this training and be sure to sign up by the early registration deadline on May 7 to save $100 on your enrollment!

Case Study #2: Michigan Energy Code (Statewide Ruling)

Our next case study focuses on another hotbed for residential building: Detroit, MI!

Oh yes, we’ve received quite a few inquiries in the last few DAYS about duct leakage testing in Michigan. Evidently there will be some code changes taking effect in 2016 in Detroit.

According to the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Michigan Residential Code Review Committee voted to approve a new statewide building energy code for residential buildings. The new code is based on 2015 IECC, with some modifications.

MEEA analyzed the economic potential of adopting the 2015 IECC, with the Michigan-specific modifications, and identified the following advantages: “We have found that a newly constructed 2,400 square foot home in Detroit will use an average of 725 fewer kWh and 358 fewer therms per year if built to the 2015 IECC, as modified in Michigan, compared to the current energy code. This would result in the average homeowner saving around $320 annually in utility bills. It is important to note that these energy and cost savings will continue for the life of a building, which can be 50 – 100 years or more.”

We are directing these inquiries to the RESNET HERS Rater Training course. This training also includes blower door and duct blaster concepts that encourage knowledge of duct and air leakage testing. Our next Detroit RESNET HERS training course is scheduled for June 8-12. This course also has a $100 early registration discount (with the deadline being May 25).

Energy codes are driving action across the country. Like these two examples above, we saw a massive surge in RESNET and BPI training in Boston when Massachusetts adopted the 2012 IECC. As an exciting cherry on top, it was announced just this morning that the state of Vermont adopted a modified 2015 IECC HERS Index Score option to its state building energy code. What this means is that builders can now use the HERS Score as a compliance path to meeting the 2015 IECC. Vermont’s action represents the first state to have adopted the 2015 IECC Energy Rating Index compliance path. There will likely be a surge among VT builders who become certified HERS Raters (so please check back with us as we add some RESNET training courses in the area!).

In short, there are a number of reasons why you should be pursuing a BPI or RESNET certification if you work in the residential energy efficiency industry. Those reasons may include personal achievement, marketability, lifelong learning, chances of a promotion, increased pay, or the altruistic desire to help homeowners save money on their energy bills. You can now add one more reason to the list: energy codes.

While the other reasons may be subjective, it’s hard to defy your state or local energy code if you want to work in this industry. BPI and RESNET aren’t going anywhere. They exist to help you acquire the job skills you need to stay relevant and make a difference in your community. So your first action item is this: research your local energy code and determine if you have the skills to meet the code. Next: Live chat us or give us a call at (800) 460-2575 to determine whether you should pursue BPI or RESNET training to address your local code needs.

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

LEED AP Acronym Comes with Some History & Context

Many moons ago, when LEED credentials were first established for green building professionals, there was a designation called LEED AP. The LEED AP acronym stood for LEED Accredited Professional.

Things were simple back then. If you wanted to pursue a LEED credential, you became a LEED AP.

LEED Version 3 debuted and changed the credentialing process.

In April 2009, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) modified the LEED standards. They named the new version LEED 2009, or LEED Version 3. This version modified the credentialing process significantly.

Instead of just one designation, three levels were born:

LEED Green Associate
LEED AP with Specialty
LEED Fellow

What happened to the pre-2009 LEED APs?

They were given many opportunities to opt into the new tiered process and update their status from LEED AP to the new LEED AP With Specialty designation.

Alternatively, some people chose not to opt into the new system and instead chose to remain a regular LEED AP, or what some would call a LEED AP Without Specialty.

How did LEED v3 impact pre-2009 LEED APs’ careers?

There was no way for LEED APs at the time to know that their credential would later be viewed as archaic and out of touch.

In fact, the USGBC stopped featuring them in their directory of accredited professionals! We wrote more about this controversy in our other LEED AP Without Specialty blog post.

What happened when LEED Version 4 launched in 2014?

LEED Version 4 replaced LEED 2009.

Given that so much had changed in the LEED standards and the green building industry in general, the original LEED APs are no longer allowed to opt into the new system as quickly and easily as before.

If they want to opt into the new version, pre-2009 LEED APs have to start at the beginning of the LEED credentialing process, with LEED Green Associate.

LEED Credential Process

It’s possible to do nothing and remain a regular LEED AP for life, but since that credential is 5+ years out of date, these individuals will be recognized as inactive LEED professionals.

LEED AP vs. LEED AP Specialty

So, to summarize, LEED AP is not the same as LEED AP with Specialty.

You can identify a professional from before LEED 2009 if his or her name is followed simply by the LEED AP acronym.

You can identify a professional from after LEED 2009 (versions 3 or 4) if his or name is followed by a series of acronyms, such as LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, LEED AP ID+C, LEED AP ND, or LEED AP Homes.

What do those LEED AP acronyms mean?

These five acronyms represent the five LEED AP specialties available under LEED 2009 (and going forward under LEED Version 4).

Spelled out, these specialties are:

LEED AP Building Design and Construction
LEED AP Operations and Maintenance
LEED AP Interior Design and Construction
LEED AP Neighborhood Development
LEED AP Homes

Nowadays, if you say that you want to become a LEED AP, you may or may not be referring to one of these advanced LEED AP specialties. Yes, I said advanced.

LEED Green Associate is the first step to earning a LEED credential.

This is the mandatory first step for everyone, regardless of occupation, education, and experience. Everyone has to pass the LEED Green Associate exam before proceeding to a LEED AP with Specialty designation.

For most people, LEED Green Associate is sufficient. If you work in the sustainability industry but maybe you don’t work on LEED projects regularly, then a LEED Green Associate accreditation is perfectly sufficient for you.

If, however, you do work on LEED projects in some regard, then you should consider advancing to the LEED AP specialty that most corresponds with your job responsibilities.

By and large, the most popular LEED AP specialties are LEED AP Building Design + Construction and LEED AP Operations and Maintenance.

At Everblue, we provide exam prep training for LEED Green Associate, LEED AP BD+C, and LEED AP O+M.

The lesson for today is this: Whether you’re brand new to LEED or want to earn the coveted LEED AP credential, you must first earn your LEED Green Associate. No matter what. Get started now!

Register now for LEED Green Associate Exam Prep

Home Energy Auditor Certification: Should I Get BPI or RESNET?

Home performance professionals seek either BPI Certification or RESNET HERS Rater Certification to help them fine-tune their technical skills and earn a home energy auditor certification. Both of these certification programs illustrate proficiency in residential energy concepts.

resnet vs bpi banner

GOALS & OUTCOMES

Those working in the residential industry have likely heard of BPI and RESNET but may not understand exactly how they are different. The technical standards for these home energy auditor certifications were created by competing organizations, thus specific thresholds and intentions differ. Let’s trace these competing ideas back to the drivers that brought these two energy auditor certifications to the forefront.

BPI – largely developed to diagnose existing homes and retrofit for energy efficiency

Other reasons why a home performance professional may seek BPI Certification include:

Ensuring occupant health and safety for years to come
Helping homeowners lower their energy bills by diagnosing energy-related issues
Qualifying homeowners for state and local rebate programs by recommending energy efficiency improvements
Enhancing reputation/brand with a marketable credential
Adding a valuable skill set to one’s existing service (insulation, HVAC, etc.)
Learning air leakage and duct testing to meet 2009, 2012, or 2015 IECC building code

RESNET – largely developed to assess a home’s energy use and use those results to rate the home against a standard home built to code (used primarily in new home construction)

Other reasons why a home performance professional may become a RESNET HERS Rater include:

Encouraging occupant health and safety at the beginning (and for years to come)
Ensuring an environment where homeowners pay a comfortable amount on their energy bills, given that energy efficiency measures were implemented during the building process
Enhancing reputation/brand with a marketable credential
Adding a valuable skill set to one’s existing service (builder, home inspector, etc.)
Using the HERS rating score as a compliance path for meeting IECC building code
Working with builders, code officials, appraisers, real estate agents, mortgage companies, and homeowners to cultivate the optimal energy consumption of a home and promote the benefits therein
Working on homes that seek the ENERGY STAR Certification or working for a company committed to building energy-efficient homes

As you can see, the goals for BPI Certification are slightly more straightforward than RESNET. The reason for this is that BPI Certification is more of a personal accomplishment for a professional and an opportunity to establish greater rapport with customers. RESNET HERS Rater Certification, on the other hand, is part of a much bigger plan. When you embark on a HERS Rater designation, you commit to the home performance industry on a much greater level. Let’s take a look at the certification process to best explain this.

THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

BPI has a series of occupation-specific certifications. Those include BPI Building Analyst, BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage, BPI Envelope Professional, BPI Multifamily Building Analyst, BPI Heating Professional, BPI AC/Heat Pump Professional, etc. These designations all represent specific occupations and responsibilities.

The most popular BPI designation(s) are Building Analyst and Infiltration & Duct Leakage because they reflect tasks performed by basic home energy auditors. With RESNET, there is only one designation to achieve: RESNET HERS Rater. A HERS Rater is a home energy auditor who is also able to analyze home energy consumption and perform home energy ratings. For the purpose of providing an apples-to-apples comparison, we will look at the certification process for BPI Building Analyst versus RESNET HERS Rater.

BPI Building Analyst

In order to earn this energy auditor certification, you will need to complete the following steps:

Building science classroom training (energy loss, air flow, heat transfer, workscope development, energy modeling)
Learn how to use blower door and duct blaster equipment
Learn how to do combustion safety testing to detect problems that lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
Pass 100-question multiple choice written exam with a score of at least 70% (closed book, with the exception of the BPI Technical Standards)
Pass a hands-on field exam with a score of at least 70% – a candidate must score at least 85% on the combustion safety portion alone!
Acquire 30 CEUs every three years to maintain certification (must retest if CEUs are not earned)

RESNET HERS Rater

In order to earn this energy auditor/energy rater certification, you will need to complete the following steps:

Complete RESNET HERS Rater Training with an approved training provider (like Everblue)
Learn how to use blower door and duct blaster equipment
Learn how to do combustion safety testing to detect problems that lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
Pass a 55-question National Rater Standard written exam with a score of at least 72% (open book)
Pass the RESNET practical simulation exam
Pass a RESNET combustion safety simulation exam
Complete five provisional energy ratings within one year of passing the exam (2 will be completed during training, 1 must be supervised by a Quality Assurance Designee, and the final 2 can be completed on any homes in your area)
Enlist as a member of a RESNET Quality Assurance Provider program
Submit all home energy ratings to the RESNET Quality Assurance Provider for review and be prepared to schedule annual on-site QA visits
Acquire 18 hours of continuing education every three years

Put simply, RESNET requires ongoing quality assurance to ensure that all HERS Raters in the country are providing a standardized assessment of home energy efficiency.

For the most part, candidates seeking either certification will learn much of the same in terms of building science principles, pressure diagnostics, duct leakage testing, and combustion safety. The bar is a little higher for RESNET HERS Raters, which can be an asset in terms of demonstrating proficiency and establishing customer confidence.

The easiest way to differentiate the two is to say that BPI is for existing homes and RESNET is for new homes, but this isn’t always the best way to look at it. Your decision to pursue an energy auditor certification should be based on your personal goals and the type of work that you hope to do. You should also consider the rebate programs in your area, your budget, and your overall commitment to the home performance industry.

Call us at (800) 460-2575 if you have questions. We’ll help you decide which home energy auditor certification is best for you.

If you’re ready to get started, enroll in training for BPI Building Analyst and/or RESNET HERS Rater training now!

Learn more about Everblue's BPI Building Analyst Training

Introduction to LEED: Everything You Need to Do to Get Accredited

We commonly hear from professionals that they’re not sure where to get started and that they’re looking for an introduction to LEED. Here’s hoping that we can provide some clarity on what it takes to earn a LEED credential, from the accreditation process to the financial commitment.

Step 1: Pursue LEED Green Associate Accreditation

Once you’ve decided that you want to take your interest in green building to the next level, your first official step will be to work toward a LEED Green Associate Accreditation. Everyone must start at this level, regardless of education, occupation, or experience.

LEED Green Associate logo The LEED Green Associate credential is a demonstration of one’s knowledge and proficiency regarding the LEED Rating System. Those working toward this credential do not necessarily have to be working on a LEED project. As this is the foundational designation, LEED Green Associate is appropriate for a wide range of occupations, from construction managers and architects to lawyers, product manufacturers, and commercial real estate brokers. Anyone working in, or hoping to work in, the green construction industry will find value in the LEED Green Associate credential. LEED Green Associate is, indeed, the best introduction to LEED concepts.

To be awarded this designation, a professional must pass a 2-hour online exam with a score of 170 out of 200. The exam is comprised of 100 questions with each question weighted differently.

For those with less experience in the green construction industry or those who lack knowledge of the LEED Rating System, an exam prep course is recommended. Just as students participate in SAT Prep classes to prepare for their college admissions exams, building professionals participate in LEED exam prep classes to prepare for their LEED exam.

Action Item: Enroll in a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course.

The live, 2-day class is recommended, as this environment provides the greatest opportunity for student participation, interaction, and discussion. Everblue’s LEED training course includes ALL study materials (course manual, credit memorization study sheets, practice questions by credit category, two simulated exams) and has a proven history of guiding students toward a first-time passing score. We offer the best introduction to LEED that you’ll find! This training is available nationwide. Estimated Cost: $399-$849

Step 2: Pay USGBC for Your LEED Green Associate Exam

Once you’ve completed training and studied to your heart’s content, you move toward the exam stage of the accreditation process. You will need to pay for your exam, submitting payment directly to the U.S. Green Building Council.

Action Item: Visit the USGBC Credentials page and click on the gray REGISTER FOR THE EXAM button.

You will be taken to a page that shows each of the LEED credentials that are available. The first exam shown is the core exam for LEED Green Associate. Underneath LEED Green Associate, you’ll see the rest of the designations and the small print will say “Combined core & specialty exam.” This means that the LEED Green Associate core exam is bundled in with the LEED AP specialty exam. We do not recommend this option due to the fact that an individual must pass both portions of the exam to earn his/her accreditation. If a candidate fails the LEED Green Associate portion, he/she will not earn that designation and will lose the opportunity to earn the LEED AP specialty designation at the same time.

Upon clicking the LEED Green Associate core exam option, you will see options to choose your preferred language, denote full-time student status, and indicate the need for special accommodations. You will then complete your payment information. Estimated Cost: $200 for USGBC Members, $100 for Full-Time Students, OR $250 for non-Members

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam Appointment with Your Local Prometric Testing Center

After you’ve paid for your LEED exam, you will receive an email from the USGBC with your Eligibility ID. The Eligibility ID is basically confirmation that you have paid for the exam and are approved to continue through the accreditation process.

The USGBC has contracted with Prometric to administer the LEED exam. Prometric is an internationally recognized testing organization with centers available in nearly every major city. The Prometric Testing Center is a computer lab for individuals needing to take a certification exam. Prometric offers a multitude of exams, so the individuals in one lab may all be taking different exams. This is a highly secure, third-party environment that ensures the unbiased success. Because the testing process is scheduled on a unique individual basis, candidates will be able to choose the specific date and time of their LEED exam.

Action Item: Visit the Prometric website and click the SCHEDULE MY TEST button.

Schedule your LEED exam on Prometric's website

You will then have the option to choose your preferred testing location. You will see a page about the aforementioned USGBC Eligibility ID. You will then be asked to agree or not agree with Prometric’s privacy policy. Finally, you will provide your Eligibility ID.

The next step in this process is to find your closest Prometric Testing Center. You can search by city or zip code. Prometric will then show you all the available testing slots for that location. You can choose the date and time of your appointment.

From there, I would recommend that you review our 10 Things to Know About Taking the LEED Exam post. In this post, we discuss Prometric’s security measures and what to bring/not bring to your testing appointment. Estimated Cost: $0 (already paid for in step 2)

Step 4: Acquire 15 Credential Maintenance Hours Every Two Years

LEED CMP logo Now that you are an accredited LEED Green Associate, you must abide by USGBC’s LEED Credential Maintenance Program requirements. The requirement is that you earn 15 hours of continuing education every two years. Of the 15 hours, 3 must be specific to LEED concepts. You cannot participate in the same activities for each renewal period.

There are a number of ways in which you can earn LEED credential maintenance, but the most convenient option is Everblue’s LEED CMP Green Associate package.

Action Item: Enroll in Everblue’s LEED Green Associate CMP Package

This package bundles together a compilation of professional development courses – all available online – to perfectly meet the LEED CMP requirement. The LEED Green Associate CMP package, in particular, has the 15 hours you need, including the 3 LEED-specific hours. We launch a new package every two years to help you acquire new and relevant information. Estimated Cost: $199-$299 depending on which package you choose

Step 5: Report Your LEED CMP Hours to USGBC

It’s one thing to participate in continuing education and another thing to notify your standards board that you completed it! At Everblue, we’re able to submit your LEED CMP hours on your behalf, further ensuring a convenient and hassle-free experience!

Action Item: Log into your USGBC Credentials account and follow the onscreen instructions.

You will have the opportunity review your LEED CE Activity History and ensure that you have met all the requirements. Estimated Cost: $85 renewal fee

In Conclusion: Earning a LEED Green Associate credential can be a valuable asset for your career and possibly your organization. It’s important to be aware of the process and financial commitment. Thankfully, you can earn your LEED credential in as little as 3-4 weeks and reap the benefits for years to come.

Get started today! Where? With Step 1: LEED Green Associate training!

LEED Trainers Should Be Evaluated Based on These Metrics

In 1998, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to provide a benchmark for the design, construction, and operations of high-performance green buildings. From 1998 to 2008, LEED gained acceptance and respect among the building and construction industry, resulting in more and more professionals seeking LEED trainers to help them with accreditation.

LEED Reference Guide This was a time when educational resources were few and far between, save for the official LEED training courses hosted by the USGBC and the USGBC Reference Guide books that often provided information in excess of 500 pages. The USGBC eventually moved away from being a training provider, in an effort to encourage competition and a fair marketplace for the industry it had created. Nevertheless, as LEED became more popular, so did demand for knowledge. And many professionals didn’t want to pore over a 500+ page book; many craved an exam prep experience that cut out extra information and only focused on the core testable knowledge.

Now, in 2015, you’ll find LEED trainers and exam prep resources available from a multitude of providers, including USGBC regional chapters, universities, community colleges, consulting agencies, in-house experts at architectural firms, and the traditional exam prep training company. If you’re new to the industry, it can be difficult to determine which outlet is most appropriate and which has the most likelihood of helping you achieve your goal of earning a LEED credential. With so much competition in the industry, what attributes should you be considering when making your decision?

Let’s take a look at the ten most important qualities or features that a LEED trainer should have.

1. Should Be a USGBC Education Partner

USGBC Education Partners are leaders, trusted voices, and reputable providers of green building and sustainability education per USGBC expectations. Since the USGBC no longer offers its own training, the standard-bearing organization relies on its exclusive network of Education Partners to provide LEED exam prep training and therefore supports this particular group of trainers in the pursuit of current knowledge, resources, and skills. The USGBC Education Partner program was developed to provide a stamp of approval for the organizations that met the USGBC’s standards of quality. In an industry with so much competition, this stamp of approval is a quick and easy determinant of an effective training resource. You’ll know when a training provider is a USGBC Education Partner because it will use the following logo on its website…

USGBC Education Partner

2. Should Have Qualified Instructors

How do you define a qualified instructor – someone with a bachelor’s degree? Master’s degree? Doctorate? Maybe someone with experience in the architecture or engineering field. Or maybe someone who has a LEED credential. Better yet, maybe someone who has worked on a LEED project. The answer is that you’re looking for instructors that have a combination of these characteristics. Simply having a degree with a concentration in architecture or a related field may not prove to be the most effective for such a specialized training experience. On the flip side, a LEED credential holder with no real-world experience in a construction-related field may also not prove to be effective. Instructors with a combination of attributes are able to pull from a variety of experiences so they not only understand the LEED credits and intents, but they’ll also have a way of using their personal experiences to explain concepts in layman’s terms so you understand them too.

3. Should Be Focused on Sustainability & Green Building

When conducting research on LEED training resources, pay special attention to each provider’s catalog of courses. Is the resource focused exclusively on sustainability, or does the organization offer a slew of training courses for a multitude of industries? The latter may make you question how much subject-matter expertise is available for the discipline in question. For those passionate about sustainability and green building, you might feel cautious about working with an organization that offers a range of training that expands into Human Resources, Finances, Information Technology, etc. Get your training from an organization that cares about sustainability as much as you do.

4. Should Have Flexible Options

Professional development, such as the pursuit of a LEED credential, can be viewed as a time-consuming or inconvenient activity for some working professionals. You may be apprehensive about taking time out of the office to complete a live training course. Look for flexible learning options that go beyond live training, including live webinars, on-demand e-learning, blended webinars, and standalone study aids. With this kind of flexibility, you’re more likely to commit to your goal and integrate your LEED exam prep into your existing schedule.

5. Should Have Excellent Customer Service

Because why would you trust an organization that doesn’t respond to your inquiries or doesn’t provide you with helpful information in a timely manner? The organization that deserves your time is the one that appreciates your questions and is happy to help guide you closer to your goal. It’s not always about a sale. It’s not always about money. The important thing is your goal – what are you trying to achieve? You shouldn’t feel pressured into buying something that doesn’t get you closer to your goal. And, similar to the tip above, flexible options regarding contact may also be beneficial. An organization that has responsive representatives on live chat, email, and phones is one way of measuring customer service.

6. Should Help You Get Continuing Education Credit

This tip may not apply to everyone, but oftentimes, your occupation will require continuing education credit to remain active. A common example of this is within the architecture industry. Many architects seek continuing education credit to submit to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Because LEED is a value-add skill set for architects, AIA will provide credit for LEED training courses. It is the responsibility of the LEED training provider to ensure that their LEED course is approved by AIA for this credit. This is not to be assumed of all LEED trainers, so if you’re hoping to kill two birds with one stone (i.e., earn a LEED credential AND earn AIA credit from it), look for a training provider that is approved to offer AIA continuing education credit.

7. Should Have a Commitment to Professionalism and Ongoing Education

What we mean here is that the training organizations you evaluate should make pricing and course information clearly available so that you don’t feel uninformed or hoodwinked. The sustainability industry as a whole is constantly growing and evolving; the rules and requirements in 2014 may not be the rules and requirements in 2015, so it’s important that you can trust the organization in question to be aware of industry changes and to integrate those changes into its products. For example, the USGBC updated its LEED standards in July 2014 to what is now known as LEED Version 4. Before you pursue LEED training with an organization, be sure that they are offering the LEED v4 curriculum. Sustainability educators must feel comfortable with constant revisions to their curriculum. It is the only way to remain current, relevant, and effective in this industry.

8. Should Have Flexible Payment Options

Professional development is all about enhancing your knowledge and skills with the intent of expanding your career opportunities. Sometimes we all need to be understanding and cooperative of each other’s financial situation. Taking advantage of discounts is a great way to stay within your budget and still pursue your goal. At Everblue, we always offer discounts for early registration, military/government, returning students, and refer-a-friend candidates. When you join our email newsletter, you become eligible to receive information about monthly and quarterly promotions too. When you do your research, you’re going to find a wide range of prices for LEED trainers. It’s important to remember that the cheapest option is not always the best option, and there’s a good chance that you’ll end up spending more in the long-run when you string together a series of cheap resources. If you’re serious about passing your LEED exam, you should be looking for the most effective tools, not the cheapest.

9. Should Feature Reviews from its Students

Take a look at the organization’s Testimonials page to get a sense of how professionals like you went through the process. You’ll want to consider the dates of the reviews to ensure that the training that you’re signing up for has been tested and proven by others recently. You’ll want to determine whether the cited name appears to be real or fictional, as this will certainly affect how seriously you take the “recommendation.” You may also want to read several reviews to see which features are constantly receiving praise and which are constantly neglected. This may shed some light on the strengths and weaknesses of a particular training experience. You should be looking for reviews that praise a variety of attributes – that way, if you see multiple features earning acclaim, then you can feel confident that the entire experience has positive effects.

10. Should Fill You With Feelings of Confidence and Success

Business Success Your goal this whole time has been to PASS your LEED exam so that you can add a reputable designation behind your name in your email signature, business card, resume, and LinkedIn. When it comes to earning your LEED credential, you’ll need to have a one-track mind for a period of 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, you’ll want to be surrounded by passionate, knowledgeable professionals – professionals that you feel confident will guide you to success because they’ve already guided hundreds of thousands to success before you.

The USGBC does not release exam scores and statistics to its training providers, so any pass rates you see being advertised will likely have come from feedback of students. As a consumer, you know that individuals with poor experiences are often likely to make their concerns widely known. You can trust that when a training provider advertises its pass rate that it has taken into account this type of student feedback. You can also trust that when Everblue says it has a 100% pass rate on the LEED Green Associate v4 exam, it’s because we haven’t received any negative feedback from our students since the LEED v4 exams launched in July 2014.

Are there other factors that you take into consideration when researching your LEED trainer options? Let us know here!

The 2015 New American Home

In September 2013, we posted a blog called Las Vegas: Bright Lights, Green City? questioning how energy efficient a place nicknamed “Sin City” could actually be. That post focused primarily on the growth of LEED-certified buildings in the city. Here we are now, and I see that the 2015 New American Home will debut at the International Builders Show in – where else – Las Vegas…actually, Henderson, which is about 20 minutes southeast of Las Vegas.

Before we learn about the 2015 New American Home, let me back up a bit.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosts the International Builders Show every year, with the location of the event switching between Las Vegas and Orlando every two years. Since its inception in the early 1940s, NAHB has served as “the voice of America’s housing industry.” Its primary goals are to ensure that housing is a national priority and that all Americans have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing, whether they choose to buy a home or rent. NAHB is headquartered in Washington, DC, and maintains many regional home builders associations throughout the country.

The International Builders Show (IBS) is the largest annual construction show in the world. Last year, NAHB co-hosted the event with the National Kitchen and Bath Association and welcomed over 1,700 exhibitors to the first annual Design & Construction Week. More than 75,000 attendees from across the globe participated!

The New American Home is a cutting-edge feature at IBS that draws thousands of visitors. Produced and presented by the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council, the New American Home is a custom-built home that demonstrates “Builders’ Best Practices” – i.e., concepts, materials, designs, and construction techniques that can be replicated – in whole or in part – in housing built any place and in any price range. Moreover, the New American Home boasts the latest in technology, energy efficiency, and sustainability. You may not have heard of Henderson, NV, located 13 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center (where the IBS show will be held), but you can see a spectacular view of the Las Vegas skyline from the home. You’ll see this in the video snippets below. I attended a wedding in Henderson last year and thought it was an absolutely beautiful area.

New American Home Floor Plan

Why is the 2015 New American Home so interesting? Let’s take a look at some of the expected specifications. For starters, the home is expecting to achieve the following certifications and honors:

HERS Score of 22
National Green Building Standard – Emerald Level Certification
US DOE Energy Star Certification
US DOE Challenge Home
US EPA Indoor airPLUS
US DOE Build America Program
Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership
Water Smart Home Program (SNWA/SNHBA)

The home’s green building features include solar photovoltaic panels and closed spray-foam insulation that also reduces sound transmission through plumbing walls. It includes a weather-sensitive irrigation system that automatically adjusts usage relative to the immediate climate, tankless water heaters, hydronic air handlers, intelligent fireplaces, and sustainable building materials. What’s also cool about the home is that it includes many of the products from NAHB supplier members. That’s a great way to recognize suppliers and showcase the real-world application of their products in this impressive home.

If you’d like to watch the production of the 2015 New American Home, NAHB posted a series of videos on YouTube that go through the design and building stages.

The 2015 New American Home – Phase 1

The 2015 New American Home – Phase 2

The 2015 New American Home – Phase 3

The 2015 New American Home – Phase 4

The 2015 New American Home – Phase 5

The 2015 New American Home will be open for free guided tours during the IBS show. Complimentary shuttle bus tickets will be distributed from the New American Home booth located in the central concourse at the show. Tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to visit the New American Home booth on the morning of the day you want to take the tour, but I suspect that the tickets will go quickly! Buses will leave every 30 minutes, with the last bus departing at 3:30 p.m. each show day. If you have the time, go on the tour! It will be worth it. It’ll be a really cool experience.

On that note, if you haven’t registered for the IBS show yet, the early registration deadline is TOMORROW, December 5th. The pricing is $50 (expo pass) for members and $100 for non-members. The expo pass increases to $150 for non-members after Friday. View full details on the Builder’s Show website. It’s pretty darn affordable, in the grand scheme of things, and will make for an awesome experience, both from a networking standpoint and an educational standpoint.

So…as the 2015 New American Home functions as a cool takeaway for IBS show participants, I hope this post performed its function to get you excited about IBS and take advantage of the registration discount that ends tomorrow! Will you be there? January 20-22 in Las Vegas – let us know about your experience!