For Future Energy Auditors and Building Diagnostics Professionals
If you're thinking about a career in building performance diagnostics, follow the links below to learn more about where to study, what you'll need to buy, and what the business is like. We wish we could give personal attention to everyone who wanted to move into the field, but there are a lot of you making inquiries into it at the moment. Let us know if you'd like to take our trainings, and best of luck! We've been very blessed in this industry, and we're sure you will be, as well.
Building Performance Institute (BPI)
This is a very important accreditation to have in order to establish a quality reputation on a national level. Green Dream Group starts offering trainings in Building Analyst and Envelope Professional concentrations in fall of 2009. Check out the Building Performance Workshop to see what skills you'll be able to take away from our BPI training. Click here to visit BPI's own website. BPI certification focuses on existing homes and retrofits.
Residential Energy Service NETwork (RESNET)
This is also a national accreditation you should have. Chicago has a RESNET Accredited Training Provider- Priority Energy. There is also Energy Efficient Homes Midwest for people who are closer to Indianapolis. Click here to visit RESNET's website, or to find other certified trainers across the country. RESNET certification focuses on new construction and software modeling.
Other Trainings:
Illinois Association of Energy Raters and Home Performance Professionals- the statewide support network for individuals in the industry.
Chicago Center for Green Technology- This is the outreach arm of Chicago's Department of Environment. All classes are totally free, and some are excellent introductions to energy and building science.
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance- Training includes Building Operator Certificate
Building Science Seminars
Energy Center of Wisconsin
What to Expect, and What People Will Expect of You
Check out what the Department of Energy tells homeowners to expect when they hire a certified home energy professional. You'll need the above accreditations, and you'll need a few pieces of gear to be a fully functional energy rater:
Blower Door and Manometer $2500 (we use Minneapolis Blower Door, but other brands are available)
Infrared Camera $4000 (we use the FLUKE TiR)
Combustion Analyzer $700 (we use the Bacharach Fyrite Tech)
Duct Blaster $2500 (we use Retrotec, but other brands are available)
Anemometer/Hygrometer $200 (we use Kestrel 3000)
Combustible Gas Sniffer $250 (we use the TIF 8800)
Boroscope $300
Surface Moisture Meter $250
Flow Hood $1800
and on, and on...
We buy our gear almost exclusively from InspectorTools.com. They always seem to have the best price, and also know a lot about what you need in order to succeed.
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