With the announcement of the updated Building Analyst Certification, you may be wondering what exactly changed? In this overview of Old Building Analyst vs. New Building Analyst, we’ll look at the knowledge list from the legacy Building Analyst standard and compare it to the new suite of certifications. More specifically, we’ll look at whether the legacy knowledge area is covered in BSP, BA-T, BA-P, or no longer covered.

The main knowledge areas for legacy BPI Building Analyst are as follows:

• Building Science
• Buildings & Their Systems
• Testing & Data Collection
• Industry Standards
• Analyzing Collected Data
• Energy Modeling and Work Scope

Within these main knowledge areas, there are sub-categories and sub-tasks. For a full and complete overview of old Building Analyst vs. new Building Analyst, download the comparison PDF here.

Otherwise, here’s a summarized comparison:

As you can see, the Building Performance Institute (BPI) has successfully weaved all the knowledge areas into the new BPI certification hierarchy. 

Given that the new scheme has built-in prerequisites (BSP → BA-T → BA-P), it makes sense that several of these knowledge areas are duplicated across the board; it’s clear that each level of BPI Certification builds on what the previous level introduced.

One of the biggest takeaways from this chart is where BA-T ends and BA-P picks up. The majority of X’s for BA-T align with “ability to identify” type tasks, whereas the majority of X’s for BA-P align with “ability to interpret” or “ability to determine” type tasks (meaning analysis of test results).

While this may appear overwhelming, and you may still be asking yourself about old Building Analyst vs. new Building Analyst, what you really need to know is that BPI has baked all the necessary skills into a new BPI Certification prerequisites pathway. By simply following the pathway, you’ll gain all the necessary skills, and there’s no need to worry about “Which BPI Building Analyst Certification should I pursue?” because you’ll know after completing BSP and BA-T whether you have enough skills to succeed in your job or if you need to go the extra step for BA-P. It comes down to, will you only be collecting data in a home, or will you also be interpreting that data for homeowner clients?

Old Building Analyst vs. New Building Analyst: Now to June 2023

BPI will make a hard switch to the new scheme on June 1, 2023. This means that candidates can still pursue the old Building Analyst until that date. Should you? It depends.

Legacy BPI Building Analyst

• Pros: pay one lump sum, earn your certification in practically one step
• Cons: earn only one certification, can be overwhelming and seemingly expensive to dive all the way in, earn a certification that will be formally outdated in the next 6 months

New BPI Building Analyst Pathway

• Pros: accomplish milestones/certifications along your career journey, become one of the first to earn the new and active certifications
• Cons: you might have to be a little more proactive about planning your training and certification needs, as far as how many certifications you ultimately want to pursue

Either way, there’s a good chance that you’ll (a) spend the same amount of money in the end and (2) have to pass a written exam and a field exam. So the new pathway is simply a restructuring on paper.

When we talk old Building Analyst vs. new Building Analyst, one is not necessarily better than the other. As we’ve covered, they practically cover the same topics. It’s just that the legacy certification is standalone, whereas the new scheme includes a more formal career pathway. 

Still have questions? Give us a call at 800-460-2575.

If you’ve been researching BPI Certification for a while now, you’ve likely run into the BPI Building Analyst Certification. But here is something NEW that you must consider: the Building Performance Institute (BPI) has updated the BPI Building Analyst Certification job task analysis going into 2023.

What Does the Updated BPI Building Analyst Certification Look Like?

BPI has made three major changes:

1. BPI Building Science Principles is now a prerequisite before you can pursue BPI Building Analyst Certification.
2. BPI Envelope is going away. The updated BPI Building Analyst Certification absorbs content that was previously covered in the BPI Envelope Professional Certification. 
3. By absorbing the BPI Envelope content, the updated BPI Building Analyst Certification job task analysis ended up being very long. There was so much material that BPI decided it’d be best to split this into two certifications: BPI Building Analyst Technician and BPI Building Analyst Professional. 

The changes to BPI Building Analyst are more about structure than content. On paper, the knowledge areas remain very much the same; it’s just that the knowledge is broken down across two certifications. 

Which Certification Should I Get?

Splitting BPI Building Analyst into two certifications is a good thing because each certification can speak to different audiences and experience levels. 

Many practitioners currently work within data collection and diagnostic testing but do no energy modeling or scopes of work. The BA-T aligns with this practice: A Building Analyst Technician conducts residential building science-based diagnostic tests and home performance data collection. This certification gives an easier entrance to the industry while providing a clear path for professional growth.

The BA-P is a progression from the BA-T and is defined as follows: A Building Analyst Professional is a certified Building Analyst Technician who also conducts energy modeling, building analysis, and data evaluation to provide a comprehensive report with a list of prioritized home performance recommendations.

Which Building Analyst Certification Will Utilities and Rebates Want?

The Building Performance Institute has advised utilities and program administrators to replace references of “Building Analyst” with the Building Analyst Professional certification, because it includes a wider range of knowledge that includes energy modeling and work scope development. 

This idea of an updated Building Analyst Certification has created quite a stir in the industry, and I would expect there to be a delay of accurate information being listed on utility and rebate websites. It’ll take some time for everyone to get back on the same page. 

What’s important to know is that Building Analyst has changed, and hopefully the information above will help you navigate whatever requirements you run into for a job or project.

For more information, give us a call at 800-460-2575.

Prior to BPI Certification 2023, there were no formal prerequisites for a person to earn certification from the Building Performance Institute (BPI) – other than passing the written/field exams associated with the desired certification. But now, BPI Certification prerequisites exist.

What Are The BPI Certification Prerequisites?

All candidates are required to start with the BPI Building Science Principles certificate of knowledge. This is where you’ll gain fundamental knowledge about how building science works, including the relationship of how systems in the home affect occupant comfort, health, and safety.

After you pass the BPI Building Sciences Principles written exam, you can advance toward the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) certification. This is an entry-level certification for those who collect data in homes and perform diagnostic testing. 

After you pass the BPI Building Analyst Technician field exam, you can advance toward the BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) certification. This certification is designed for experienced practitioners who do energy modeling and provide work scope recommendations.

As you can see, the BPI Certification prerequisites include tiered certifications and the passing of various exams. 

The Building Performance Institute offers 10+ certifications, and it can be overwhelming if you’re new to the industry. To keep it simple, just remember the BPI Certification prerequisites:

• Step 1 – BPI Building Science Principles
• Step 2 – BPI Building Analyst Technician
• Step 3 – BPI Building Analyst Professional

Candidates cannot use work experience or other industry certifications to skip or bypass any of the BPI Certification prerequisites. Go ahead and get started with the BPI Building Science Principles training today!

When you enter a new industry, especially a technical one like residential energy efficiency, there’s going to be a learning curve. But this learning curve can be easily overcome with the proper introductory training. And that’s what BPI Building Science Principles (BPI BSP) is!

Not every person interested in human health needs all the education of a doctor or surgeon, but they should have a basic understanding of human anatomy. BPI BSP is the entry-level anatomy course for home energy efficiency. What’s particularly great about BPI BSP is that it’s relatable; we all live in homes, and when you better understand how your home functions, you can make better use of it to maximize your comfort, happiness, and energy bills.

What Does BPI BSP Cover?

Officially, BPI Building Science Principles teaches people about the basics of building science as well as the widely-used terminology in the industry. 

Building science alone is a term that describes how various components of a home interact to affect the home’s overall performance. Understanding the relationships between the building envelope, heating, A/C, insulation, mechanical ventilation, lighting, appliances and other systems of the home will enable you to assist yourself and others. BPI BSP teaches you how these systems affect the comfort, health, and safety of occupants and durability of the home. 

Who Uses the Building Science Certificate?

Homeowners and office staff would likely view building science as “good to know” information.

It should go without saying that home energy auditors, contractors, and other technical professionals NEED to understand building science in order to do their jobs properly. 

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) agrees with that statement so much that they’ve actually listed BPI BSP as a prerequisite to its BPI Certification 2023 scheme. Anyone interested in earning BPI Certification going forward has to first earn the BPI Building Science Principles certificate of knowledge, due to the strong foundation that it provides. Previously, a candidate could jump to whatever BPI certification they were interested in, but now BPI wants to carefully foster professional development and ensure that individuals are getting the necessary training along the way.

How to Earn BPI BSP

This first step is not designed to be an arduous undertaking. Simply learn the material and pass a 100-question multiple-choice exam with a passing score of 70%. 

Start with Everblue’s BPI Building Science Principles training program, and you’ll be well on your way!

In our previous post, we summarized the BPI Certification 2023 changes. Put simply here, when we refer to the updated BPI Certifications, we’re speaking about the fact that the Building Performance Institute (BPI) is sunsetting the BPI Envelope Certification and instead bulking up the BPI Building Analyst Certification. 

Specifically, Building Analyst is being split into two work-ready credentials: Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) and Building Analyst Professional (BA-P). 

The best part about the updated BPI Certifications is that BPI has baked prerequisites into the process. Before, some people had to bat above their average – ie, those new to the industry had to go all-in on a technical certification that was beyond their work experience. While it was great from an aspirational standpoint, I can see how it would also be overwhelming. With the updated BPI Certifications, candidates have a very clear path for professional growth.

How the Updated BPI Certifications Provide Career Milestones

Everyone new to home energy efficiency must now start with the BPI Building Science Principles certificate of knowledge. This is where a person gains a strong foundation for building science.

After passing the BPI Building Science principles exam, a candidate can pursue the BPI Building Analyst Technician, which is an entry-level certification for those who do data collection and diagnostic testing.

After passing the BPI Building Analyst Technician exam, a candidate can pursue the BPI Building Analyst Professional, which is for the experienced practitioner whose work includes energy modeling and work scope development.

Although the updated BPI Certifications now have prerequisites baked into them, a person can jump off the train wherever it fits their career. Some people may be satisfied with just the BPI Building Science Principles knowledge (eg, office staff, customer service, program administrators, marketing professionals). For those who plan to work in the field, the BPI Building Analyst Technician certification is the natural next step to build on the foundational knowledge from BSP. And likewise, for those who want to hold more senior positions in the field, the BPI Building Analyst Professional certification is the natural next step. There’s a place for every person, and each step in that process provides valuable knowledge.

What if you earned BPI Certification under the old structure? BPI has provided direction for those who already hold an active Building Analyst and/or Envelope certification. They can re-certify to the existing certifications before the May 31, 2023 sunset OR transition to the new certifications as they’ve been designed. For more information about this, give us a call at 800-460-2575.

We previously wrote about BPI Certification changes back in 2020, but of course the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the pilot and launch of those changes. Three years later, and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) is ready to talk seriously about BPI Certification 2023 changes once again.

Background

BPI’s home energy auditor certifications have been highly regarded in the industry for over 20 years. Because building science and energy auditing practices are continuously evolving, BPI likewise updates its certifications now and then to keep pace with industry advances. 

The aforementioned talk of changes fell under this cycle. BPI established a Scheme Committee composed of Subject Matter Experts to evaluate the BPI Building Analyst and BPI Envelope certifications against the current state of the industry. Their mission was to compare the existing Job Task Analysis (JTA) for Building Analyst to those of the HEP Energy Auditor and BPI Envelope Professional, to eliminate redundancy.

BPI Certification 2023 Summary of Changes

The Scheme Committee determined the following about the BPI Building Analyst:

• It should absorb the BPI Envelope.
• It should include energy modeling and work scope development.
• It should be broken into two certifications.
• It should have BPI Building Science Principles (BPI BSP) as a prerequisite.

Let’s discuss these BPI Certification 2023 changes in greater detail…

Similar to this update, BPI had a big update in 2014 to Building Analyst, which beefed up the JTA to almost match Envelope. For the last eight years, Building Analyst and Envelope were nearly identical. So by sunsetting the BPI Envelope designation, BPI will be removing a choice that has long caused confusion anyway. 

Ironically, however, by once again beefing up Building Analyst, BPI realized that the new JTA was lengthy and broad in scope. This necessitated dividing the JTA into two certifications once again. The BPI Certification 2023 names are BPI Building Analyst Technician and BPI Building Analyst Professional.

• BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) covers data collection and diagnostic testing. Candidates must first earn the BPI Building Science Principles certificate of knowledge before they can attempt the BA-T certification. To earn the BA-T certification, candidates must pass a field exam (no written exam).
• BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) covers the principles of using computer software to model the energy upgrade potential of a home and developing a scope of work. A passing score on the BA-T field exam is a prerequisite before a candidate can pursue this certification; and to earn the BA-P certification, candidates must pass a written exam only.

Thus, BPI Certification 2023 will require the following (mandatory) progression:

BPI announced these changes in October and stated that the exams for the updated certifications would be available at BPI Test Centers on January 1, 2023. 

Given the massive lift for BPI Test Centers, training providers, and the industry at large to understand these changes, we asked BPI about the potential overlap of legacy BPI certifications and BPI Certification 2023 credentials.

In response, BPI agreed to extend the opportunity for participants to earn the legacy BPI certifications through May 31, 2023. They want to still advertise the BPI Certification 2023 credentials but understand that all the stakeholders need time to make the necessary changes to appropriately deliver the new programs. As a result, we anticipate a hard cutover from the old scheme to the new scheme on June 1, 2023.

Stay tuned for more information.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law in August 2022, invests $370 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create good-paying jobs in clean energy, and improve household energy efficiency across the U.S. It is the most significant federal climate investment in U.S. history. These residential and commercial energy efficiency-focused investments are divided between rebates, training grants, and federal tax credits — explained more in depth below.

Tax Credits

Some Inflation Reduction Act funding is not yet available, as federal guidance is pending, and states are still designing their programs to meet federal guidelines. However, homeowners and building developers can take advantage of federal tax credits immediately!

The IRA expanded and extended several energy efficiency tax credits for homeowners as well as residential and commercial building developers. In particular, the IRA revitalizes tax credits found in Internal Revenue Code Sections 25C, 25D, and 45L.

25C – the Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Tax Credit

The Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit offers homeowners an annual tax credit for energy efficiency home improvements.

It replaced the Non-business Energy Property Credit, which was previously a lifetime credit of just $500. The IRA updated this credit to provide annual credits of up to $1,200 per year plus an additional $2,000 for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The shift from a lifetime credit to an annual credit provides significantly more flexibility to homeowners, who will now be able to spread out their home energy improvement projects over the 10-year life of the 25C credit. 

Key takeaways:

• Starting in 2023, credit increases to 30% of total installation costs through 2032.
• Lifetime cap of $500 will be replaced by annual $1,200 total limit (plus an additional $2,000 for electric heat pumps).  
• 25C credits be combined with rebates offered through DOE’s $8.8 billion Home Energy Rebates Program, an IRA program not yet available to the public.  

Eligible services and home improvements include:

• Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters ($2,000 credit)
• Insulation and air sealing ($1,200 credit, installation costs not covered)
• Energy audits ($150 credit)
• Energy-efficient HVAC systems, incl. furnaces, boilers, and central AC ($600 credit)
• Electrical panel upgrades ($600 credit)
• Energy-efficient windows and doors ($500 credit for doors, $600 credit for windows, installation costs not covered)
• Roofs are no longer eligible
• A separate $2,000 annual limit for heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters

45L – New Energy Efficient Home Credit

IRC Section 45L, the New Energy Efficient Home Credit, offers tax credits to single-family and multi-family home builders for new (or substantially reconstructed) energy efficient homes. 

45L provides two tiers of tax credits depending on which standards eligible construction or re-construction projects meet. Single-family home projects (including manufactured homes) that meet ENERGY STAR standards are eligible to receive a $2,500 tax credit, while new multi-family dwelling units can receive $500 per unit. The higher tier of credits created by the IRA is available to homes that meet DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program requirements, which are more stringent than ENERGY STAR. For projects that qualify for this higher tier, builders can receive $5,000 per single-family home and $1,000 per multi-family dwelling unit.

Key Takeaways:

• Credit revived and made retroactive for 2022 (at original $2,000)
• Starting in 2023, credit increases to $5,000 for single-family, multifamily, and manufactured homes through 2032
• Energy-efficiency standards are higher in the IRA-version of 45L than before
• No limits on the number of single family or multi-family units that can qualify for a 45L credit
• Credits are boosted for projects where workers are paid “prevailing wages.”

25D – Residential Clean Energy Property Credit

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, taxpayers can receive a tax credit to cover 30% of the costs of installing solar energy property on their homes, in addition to other clean energy improvements. For example, this credit also applies to solar systems that are paired with battery storage. Starting on January 1, 2023, this credit will also apply to standalone battery storage installed without solar. For a full list of upgrades that are eligible for this tax credit, click here.

Key Takeaways:

• Raises credit from 26% to 30% through 2032; will step down in 2033 and be eliminated for residential in 2035.
• Credit is retroactive to solar systems installed during the 2022 tax year. 
• There is no maximum dollar amount that can be claimed. 
• Starting in 2023, stand-alone battery storage qualifies for a credit.

Rebates & Training Grants

In addition to tax credits, the Inflation Reduction Act also sets aside $9 billion in funding for residential energy efficiency upgrades as well as training for home energy performance contractors!

$8.8 Billion Home Energy Rebates Program

The IRA created two new programs that will provide households with $8.8 billion in rebates for high efficiency electric appliance upgrades and whole-home energy retrofits. Collectively, they are known as the Home Energy Rebate Programs. Individually, they are referred to as the Home Efficiency Program and the Home Electrification Program. Home Energy Rebate funding will be distributed to state energy offices and subsequently flow to program implementers – who will vary from state to state based on each states’ unique program design and guidelines. Rebates are expected to be available to the public in early 2024.

$4.3 billion for DOE Home Efficiency Program  

• Formerly referred to as the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings or “HOMES” Program.
• Rebates amounts are performance-based: the more energy you save, the more you earn.  
  • Up to $2,000 for energy efficiency retrofits with modeled energy savings of 20-34%.  
  • Up to $4,000 for energy efficiency retrofits with modeled energy savings of 35% or more.
• Upgrades can include HVAC and other electric appliances as well as weatherization measures (e.g. insulation, air sealing, windows/ doors, etc.)
• Low-moderate income households are eligible for additional rebates up to $8,000.
• Home Efficiency rebates cannot be combined with other federal grants or rebates, but CAN be combined with state/utility rebates and federal tax credits.

$4.5 Billion for DOE Home Electrification Program

• Rebates targeted towards low-moderate income households for high-efficiency electric appliances and equipment
• Maximum rebate of $14,000 per household
• Eligible upgrades and their rebate amounts are as follows:
  • Heat pump water heaters: $1,750
  • Heat pump for space heating and cooling: $8,000
  • Electric stoves: $840
  • Heat pump clothes dryers: $840
  • Electrical panel upgrades: $4,000
  • Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation: $1,600
  • Electric wiring: $2,500
  • Installation: $500
• Home Electrification rebates cannot be combined with other federal grants or rebates, but CAN be combined with state/utility rebates and federal tax credits.

$200 Million for Residential Energy Contractor Training

Officially known as DOE’s Training for Residential Energy Contractors or “TREC,” this grant program sets aside $200 million for state energy offices to fund their own workforce development activities specifically for residential home energy performance contractors. DOE expects to distribute these funds to states as early as 2023, and will be available to states through September 2031.

Some say that the climate bill could create up to 1,000 new companies. Its passage will be huge for startups as well as the big venture capital firms that back them. In other words, it’s a great time to start a solar company and get in on the influx of cash coming from this legislation.

Perhaps the biggest impact is that government investment in climate initiatives will give private investors and consumers much more confidence in the climate space. This could reveal itself by way of utilities offering rebates for solar panel installation and home energy audits, which in turn drives up homeowner demand and CREATES MORE WORK in the industry.

Are you prepared for the new business coming your way? Start honing your skills now so that you can take full advantage of this funding!

The biggest chunk of money from this legislation goes to clean energy, such as solar. Browse Our Solar Courses and learn how to sell, design & install solar panel systems!

The bill also includes rebates for people who invest in energy-efficient home improvements, which means a lot of homeowners are going to be wanting home energy audits. This just screams BPI Building Analyst – register today so you’ll be certified and ready to get that business!

The utility will reward existing HEIP and HEEAP Program Contractors with a financial incentive toward BPI training and certification.

Everblue Training, a nationally recognized provider of sustainability and energy efficiency courses, has entered into an agreement with Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, to provide discounted BPI Building Analyst training to its contractors.

Participants of Georgia Power’s Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP) and Home Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (HEEAP) may apply for the opportunity to receive a monetary credit toward online BPI Building Analyst training through Everblue. 

The BPI Building Analyst training prepares home performance contractors to become certified home energy auditors. BPI-certified professionals analyze whole-house energy use by performing a series of diagnostic tests using specialized equipment. Through combustion safety testing and air leakage testing, a BPI Building Analyst professional can identify heating and cooling problems that lead to high energy costs, health problems, and occupant discomfort. 

“The BPI Building Analyst Certification is a natural fit for Georgia Power’s HEIP and HEEAP contractors,” said Sean Gray, Everblue’s BPI Program Manager. “Both the HEIP and HEEAP programs require technicians to use building science principles during a home energy assessment, and the educated recommendations that they provide to homeowners result in lower energy bills, greater thermal comfort, and sometimes life-saving home improvements. Here at Everblue, we’re honored to play a role in that knowledge-sharing. Together with Georgia Power, we are empowering contractors and home occupants alike.”

The online BPI Building Analyst program provides a quick and convenient format for getting BPI certified, by including self-paced video modules and both the written and field certification exams. 

“This is such a great professional development opportunity for participating contractors,” Gray said. “In addition to the valuable knowledge gained, they’ll also be able to add a nationally recognized industry certification to their resume. That level of credibility will help them stand out from competitors and help instill confidence in their homeowner clients.”

Everblue has been an approved BPI Test Center for over 10 years and has trained tens of thousands of home performance professionals across the country. 

Existing HEIP and HEEAP program contractors may apply for this opportunity by emailing Erica White at [email protected]. 

For more information about BPI Certification, call Everblue at (800) 460-2575 or visit the company website at everbluetraining.com. 

About Everblue

Everblue helps professionals and organizations achieve success by offering a comprehensive suite of professional training programs and certification management solutions. Its curriculum includes short-term courses focused on emerging technology fields, such as energy efficiency and cybersecurity. In addition to training courses, Everblue also helps its organizational clients with digital test administration, online exam hosting, proctoring, badging, and association membership management.