How to Get a BPI Certification

A BPI certification is one of the two certifications you will need to consider if you want to become an energy auditor.  As an energy auditor, you will be reviewing homes’ energy usage and looking for ways they can make their homes more efficient, so it is important that all auditors nationwide have similar training and pass the same certification tests.   In order to fill this need, the Building Performance Institute has put together a standardized exam that tests energy auditors’ knowledge.  At 100 questions and with a two-hour time limit, this is a challenging test that requires you to have really studied or worked in the field.  This certification does not require you to have taken a course to prepare for the exam, but since the material is so challenging, it is recommended that you do.   There are numerous courses to prepare you to take the exam, and they will all vary in length and intensity.  You may also be able to find online study courses if you look.  Courses can be found by searching online for BPI Certification course or some variation of that phrase.  Before settling on a course, though, research the school or organization offering it, and be sure that it is a respected member of the educational industry or energy community.   Once you have completed the study course, the institution should either give you the opportunity to take the exam through them, or give you the information you need to locate a nearby testing location.  In order to get the certification, you will need to get a grade of 70 percent or higher on the exam.  Once you have passed the test, you can list the certification as one of your qualifications!   Although a nationally recognized certification may not seem important, there are many reasons why you should pursue a BPI certification.  As an energy auditor, you will be dealing with very sensitive equipment, which makes it important to have the training necessary to operate and understand these machines.  For example, to find energy leaks such as air leaks, energy auditors use blower doors, which are basically strong fans that fit perfectly into a doorframe.  They are used to suck all the air out of a house, so that the auditor can see where the air is coming back in through.  Those places will also be where the house is losing hot and cold air, and thereby, energy.   Another piece of equipment that energy auditors need to be familiar with is an infrared camera.  Basically, infrared cameras see and record heat, so you can easily tell where you are losing heat.  For instance, an infrared camera can be used to located places in the walls where there isn’t enough insulation, indicating where the building is losing energy.   Finally, energy auditors need to have a broad knowledge of anything related to their job.  For example, an auditor needs to know which furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters are the most efficient, and which are draining energy unnecessarily.  They also need to be able to look at utility bills and see where there is a problem that needs to be remedied for a truly energy efficient building.  Finally, an energy auditor needs to know enough about the industry in order to make suggestions for how to remedy the situation and improve the building’s energy efficiency.   As you can see, there is a lot you need to know in order to audit a home’s energy usage and make recommendations.  To demonstrate your knowledge, it is important to have the right professional qualifications, of which the BPI certification is one.  With just a short study course and a passing grade on a two-hour test, you can achieve this certification and pursue a career as an energy auditor.