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One of the most common questions we hear is “what are the different types of energy audit certifications available?” Let’s take a minute a discuss the current options.
Two organizations, BPI and RESNET, certainly provide the vast majority of certifications in the industry. We’ll discuss a few other options later, but these two are clearly the primary choices.
RESNET is an acronym for the Residential Energy Services Network, a 501 C3 non-profit organization. Their mission, as stated on their website is to “ensure the success of the building energy performance certification industry, set the standards for quality and increase the opportunity for ownership of high performance buildings.” Though RESNET engages in a multitude of activities, they’re primarily known for their relative energy use index called the HERS Index. This index allows energy auditors to compare the energy efficiency of buildings. This index is unique to RESNET; BPI for example, does not offer an equivalent index for their energy audit system.
BPI stands for the Building Performance Institute, a “national standards development organization for residential energy efficiency and weatherization retrofit work.” The implementation of these standards occurs by partnering with training affiliates to teach local energy auditors and weatherization contractors. These affiliates offer both online and in-person training courses. Currently they offer the following certifications:
- Building Analyst Professional
- Envelope Professional
- Manufactured Housing Professional
- Heating & Heat Pump Professional
- Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Professional
- Multifamily Building Analyst Professional
- Multifamily Energy Efficient Building Operator
- Multifamily Hydronic Heating Professional
BPI tends to focus more on the practical application of building science and combustion while RESNET focuses more on the HERS rating index, tax incentives and the program itself.