Bpi resnet or equivalent

[Nick Gromicko]

What do you think the chances are that this 6 billion dollar legislation will become law, given the country's current political climate?

I've said it before... the only way this whole Energy Auditor thing is going to pan out is if we figure out a way to offer it as a service that consumers want or need... and not rely on all this silly green rebate, tax credit nonsense.

P.S. Any Energy Audit course that doesn't include IR is outdated IMHO.

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by dbelmont

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.

Don't forget your combustion alayzer

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by dbelmont

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.

Hey Don, you make some valid points but I disagree that BPI is an artificial standard.
Also, my BPI training cost 875.00 and I did it in AZ because I combined a vaca with business..... SHHHH don't tell the IRS, I also rented a Harley instead of a car but that's a different story.
My blower door cost 2450.00 so I have less than 3500.00 invested.

Still, if not for my construction company I doubt I would have done it.

[Jason Kaylor]

lol, did you really rent the Harley while here?

Did you already have a combustion analyzer and gas leak detector?

I am unclear why you guys are upset by the costs of certifications. The business that you guys can get in to might be one of the cheapest start ups for any business i have ever seen. Peter is in for $3500. I cannot think of a single business endevour that is cheaper, that is as viable as this one.

As far as certifications and standards, would you go to a doctor that was not licensed and educated? If not.....why would you ask your potential customers to buy a service that you are not.....trained properly in (no matter where the training comes from)?

My wife is going through med school right now, she would love to pay $3500 and be done with it.

Another question you guys should have is this. If/when it becomes part of a real estate transaction, do you want to compete with the energy auditor that started a home inspection business, or be the home inspector that is also known as an energy auditor? Branding takes time.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Energy Auditors
Bacharach Fyrite Tech
Insulation Blower
Tramex Moisture Meter

[measter]

You don't have to pay for training to sit for the BPI exam.

You could get the training materials from Saturn.biz or even the library. Study hard, play with the equipment and then pay a $100 sitting fee for the exam.

It would be tough, but it could be done.

On the other hand, there isn't anything that says you MUST be certified by BPI, ResNet or anyone else to do an energy audit.

To answer Jason's question: I would rather be the home inspector that also does energy audits - if you ever want a realtor to recommend you.
But I'm not going to hold my breath for an energy audit to be part of the real-estate transaction. Geez, we don't even have BUILDING codes here. We have commercial building codes, but they are routinely ignored and not inspected. Kansas has adopted the 2006 IECC for commercial buildings, but I'm not sure we have built a commercial building since 2006 - so what's the point.

Oh and you may have heard that the realtors have quite a bit of influence over transaction regulations here in KS. Currently an inspection is not required in most states. I'm not confident that an energy audit will ever be. To many homes would be condemned.

[ldapkus]

So which certification should I go after?? Which one will be the one in demand? How many out of work construction people will get their training paid for through their unions. I know when I joined the Laborers International Union I got my Asbestos Abatement Supervisor/Contractor license through my union for free. The Laborers are already training their people to do weatherizations. Do you know what a union laborer makes an hour? Prevailing wage on government jobs? How about union carpenters? The Insulators Union is big too. Don't you think all these labor organizations are gonna jump on this? I think I'm gonna get into the Energy Auditor Certification and Energy Audit Equipment Sales business. You are the one that's gonna make all the big $$$ Jason.

[Jason Kaylor]

hehe, funny and ironic. We are currently trying to find a good sales rep.

I doubt this is the entire industry of HI's but I am pretty sure most of you guys on here do pretty well already. I also think you guys on here are more pro-active in your business than most other HI's.

I think the people that are in the consumable market in this industry have a very good future. How many blower doors, cameras and other test & measurement devices will people buy vs cellulose insulation, for example? Get your insulation on a LEED project that gets points......WOW!

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Energy Auditors
Bacharach 24-8250
BPI Training
LEED Training

[Peter C. Russell]

[quote=jkaylor;619634]lol, did you really rent the Harley while here?

Did you already have a combustion analyzer and gas leak detector?

Yea I did, from Chandler HD, got a brand new Road King with 60 miles on it. I tried to get them to take the F-ing windshield off it but they wouldn't.

During vaca I went down to Tucson to visit friends.

As far as the CO detector I had one but that should be included in the cost of doing business. I'm looking at the Monoxor 3 right now, do you have a recommendation???

[Peter C. Russell]

Hey Jason, I just completed my State of NH training for insulation and guess what???
1/2 the guys in the class are using Retrotech blower doors

[rspermo]

I am always interested by the energy audit discussions. I have been a home inspector for 12 years and Iam also a RESNET HERS rater and Certified RESNET Trainer. I passed the PBI test without going to class and shortly will complete their field exam. I own and use a blower door, a duct blaster, an IR camera and a combustion analyzer.

The training I have received thru RESNET and NCI have been excellent. It has greatly increased my knowledge of the house as a system - education that many home inspectors could use!

Do I make any money in the energy audit field? Not very much! I do, however, make some good money from doing Energy Star Certs for new construction. I have spent $11,500 on equipment (do not need any more!) and training and have made over $25,000 on energy related audits/certs.

I am presently developing a curriculum that I plan to offer to home inspectors that will allow them to earn both the BPI and RESNET certs. I am 2-3 months away since I want both courses to be approved by BPI and/or RESNET. I will offer my first course throughout Texas and they will be night 6pm - 9pm Mon - Thurs (2 weeks) and one weekend. The price will be more than competitive.

[jrivera]

Bob, I caught your blurb in Working RE. Nice job.

Mic