Bpi resnet or equivalent

[John E. Mullarkey]

I received this today from the RESNET BPI group of linkedin. The group can be found herehttp://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1110797

The article is here http://www.efficiencyfirst.org/static/files/HOME_STAR_Overview.pdf

Of particular interest is this comment form page 1 section 2

“A certified professional with accreditation from the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or an approved equivalent conducts an energy audit before work begins, and a test‐out when the performance retrofit is complete. “

Any comments or thoughts on this? Nick, will the new Energy Audit Class count as an “ approved equivalent” ? I believe that the green enery audit train is moving and I want to be on it.

[James H. Bushart]

It's required in Missouri for such auditors when the client wishes to file tor their state energy tax credit.

[David A. Andersen]

Originally Posted by jmullarkey

I received this today from the RESNET BPI group of linkedin. The group can be found herehttp://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1110797

The article is here http://www.efficiencyfirst.org/static/files/HOME_STAR_Overview.pdf

Of particular interest is this comment form page 1 section 2

“A certified professional with accreditation from the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or an approved equivalent conducts an energy audit before work begins, and a test‐out when the performance retrofit is complete. “

Any comments or thoughts on this? Nick, will the new Energy Audit Class cout as an “ approved equivalent” ? I believe that the green enery audit train is moving and I want to be on it.

I think he is asking if the INACHI editing course qualifies as an equivalent...

[Brad Brinke]

Resnet and BPI have standards by which the audit is done. The course on here is a good one and I would recommend it, but it is not BPI or Resnet. Also, I would like to think that the over $3000 I have invested in training is not just replaced by a free internet class I can take in my jammies.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Originally Posted by bbrinke

Resnet and BPI have standards by which the audit is done. The course on here is a good one and I would recommend it, but it is not BPI or Resnet. Also, I would like to think that the over $3000 I have invested in training is not just replaced by a free internet class I can take in my jammies.

So Brad,did you spend $3000 on the BPI and RESNET training? If so, why did you take both?

[David A. Andersen]

Originally Posted by bbrinke

Resnet and BPI have standards by which the audit is done. The course on here is a good one and I would recommend it, but it is not BPI or Resnet. Also, I would like to think that the over $3000 I have invested in training is not just replaced by a free internet class I can take in my jammies.

I would like to think so as well, but in reality (depending on your state location) perceived accepted standards may not be a requirement for your location. There is a probability that a "take a course in your pajamas" educational course will fit required parameters of some states!

I was pursuing BPI/ RESNET training which was canceled due to a lack of interest, only to find that my state only accepts standards locally produced and training provided ($96 million available for educating auditors, why should my state except somebody else's training when they can make money on their own?). So besides the concept of "any education is an asset", subscribing to these programs is theoretically a waste of my time and money!

However, let's look at this from a different perspective. Required training is only to conduct energy audits on low income housing where occupants are 200% below the property level! Is this where I really want to work?

I am getting high-end corporate clients beginning to realize and requesting auditing when they move into this area and have experienced energy standards from another location. They want their new homes built to those standards (whether they are required by the state or not).

So how do we service these clients?

Probably the best answer is from the trainers that supply these services from wherever these clients come from.
BPI / RESNET!

No education is a waste of money.

Expecting the cost of your education and equipment to provide these services to be readily reimbursed is another issue!

If you feel that you need the equipment and you need to be certified, your client had better perceive your services to achieve these goals worthy to pay you accordingly.

The energy audit field is upside down!
If you haven't realized this yet, it is driven by somebody that has something to sell (and this is not services, but appliances).

Working for a mechanical contractor years ago, I only saw that it was more about selling new equipment than making what you have run better! This is in the best interest of the contractor, not the client. They get markup on equipment without having to put out any labor or overhead!

You get government rebates when you buy something tangible, not because you spent three dollars on a can of "great stuff"" and lowered your electric bill 23%! It's not about the energy you save, it's about how much you spend.

If you're considering the energy auditing fields, be careful. The current administration has no intention of putting people back to work that are capable of doing the job. They are interested in selling equipment manufactured by corporations that will fund their election campaign!

Can you make a go of this?
Absolutely! But you can't do it from the "bandwagon"!

Is this something that will eventually evolve?
Most likely! When the price of oil, natural gas and electricity go through the roof!
When cap-and-trade taxes your butt to death, you'll think about saving some energy.

The current budget proposals for our administration includes assets from cap-and-trade it doesn't even exist, yet!

You don't have to jump on the bandwagon right now, just get ready for what will come!

[Peter C. Russell]

Dave, you are joking right??????

you spent three dollars on a can of "great stuff"" and lowered your electric bill 23%!

[Donald T. Belmont]

Originally Posted by prussell

Dave, you are joking right??????

you spent three dollars on a can of "great stuff"" and lowered your electric bill 23%!

He used it to jam the meter until they caught him.

Other then the clearly political nonsense I happen to agree with David. It remains hard to justify energy retrofits based on ROI. And until folks are in pain they won't feel motivated.

Of course having decent standards would be helpful for when people update / remodel any way. That's when most energy work is cost effective.

The BPI / Resnet thing sounds like so many other schemes. Let's have a certification program that will nick the contractors for 5-6 K. On the other side we'll tell them that they will become the only authorized providers and be able to clean up.

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by dbelmont

He used it to jam the meter until they caught him.

Other then the clearly political nonsense I happen to agree with David. It remains hard to justify energy retrofits based on ROI. And until folks are in pain they won't feel motivated.

Of course having decent standards would be helpful for when people update / remodel any way. That's when most energy work is cost effective.

The BPI / Resnet thing sounds like so many other schemes. Let's have a certification program that will nick the contractors for 5-6 K. On the other side we'll tell them that they will become the only authorized providers and be able to clean up.

I guess I'm in the minority, I use the standards daily and although they're not perfect it's a place to start.

By the way, where does the 5-6K come from????

[David A. Andersen]

But look where you are.

Then look where many of us are.

You will be leading the way my friend!
It will take a while for the rest of us to catch up.

[Brad Brinke]

Linus, I first went through the Resnet course and became a HERS Rater. I am signed up to do BPI training because I would like to offer my customers combustion analysis and other things that Resnet does not teach. Yes, i realize this might be overkill, however I have been lucky in picking up a great contract with a builder that funds my obsession.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

That helps. Do you have an obsession with equipment that your builder contact also funds? If so I envy you.

[Brad Brinke]

Not an obsession, an actual need. I have two to three blower doors and duct blasters running daily.

[Mark Easter]

Originally Posted by bbrinke

I have been lucky in picking up a great contract with a builder

Wow! You have builders there? Do they build houses? That's so 2000 and eight.

I guess I'm so 2000 and late!

There are about 3 homes per year built in our town.

[Donald T. Belmont]

Originally Posted by prussell

I guess I'm in the minority, I use the standards daily and although they're not perfect it's a place to start.

By the way, where does the 5-6K come from????

Hey Pete,

I don't think anyone is opposed to standards. I know I'm not.

What I am opposed to is some artificial standard that says only people who have a certain certification (have paid the correct amount of money to the correct organizations) are qualified to apply those standards. Which is the push I see from BPI.

As for the 5-6 K. Take 2K for the basic training and add in 2k or more for a blower door. Add in the costs associated with acquiring the training (Remember you went to Arizona) and I think 5-6K is a reasonable ballpark. Of course if you really want an effective tool lets add IR and 5-6K can easy become 15-16K or more.

You are in what I see as a special situation. You have the construction company so were set to flow into the productive side of this business (the performance contractor). If the rebate programs we've talked about happen and only certified contractors are able to do such work that qualifes for the rebates then you are well out in front of almost everyone.

I know my focus is where I fit into this mix. Knowing there is at least some demand for energy audit/inspection work as part of an HI as well as standalone since I already do that now. But if it becomes a required thing (a very large and unlikely if IMO) for a real estate transaction exactly what is that going to mean for my business.