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A Building Energy and Weatherization Basics
- Building science terminology
- General construction terminology
- Building energy math and formulas
- Introduction to weatherization
B Advanced Whole-House Weatherization Installer and Exam
- Aligning pressure and thermal boundaries
- Air sealing and attic prep
- Insulation: spray foam, dense-pack
- Mechanical ventilation
- Weatherization math review
C BPI Building Analyst Professional Course and Exams
- BPI building evaluation standards
- Heat loss and savings calculations
- Step-by-step energy audit & diagnostic procedures
- Worst-case depressurization test
- Combustion appliance evalution
- Blower door tests; duct leakage eavaluation
- Developing and prioritizing a retrofit work scope
D BPI Building Envelope Specialist Course and Exams
- Insulation applications
- Thermal evaluation
- Work scope prioritization
- Air sealing techniques
- Ventilation systems
- Window and door inspections
- indoor moisture solutions
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment
- Duct diagnostics and procedures
E RESNET EnergySmart Contractor Course
- Basics of heat transfer concepts
- The energy consequences of construction practices
- Basic Combustion
- Appliance concerns
- Basics of envelope and duct leakage
- Air sealing and insulation
- Understanding of thermal boundaries
- RESNET retrofit work scope requirements
F RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Certificate
- Understanding building science and construction principles
- Principles of heat, air, and moisture transfer
- How to use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment
- Energy analysis using Rem/Rate™ software
- How to certify an ENERGY STAR home
- Understand the services and responsibilities of a HERS Rater
G RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) Certificate
- Minimum survey inspected report requirements
- Basics of heat transfer concepts
- Performance testing
- Definitions, energy terminology and units
- Combustion appliance concerns
- Basics of envelope leakage, thermal bypass and thermal bridging
- Envelope insulation, quality and recommended levels
- HVAC, appliance and window/door efficiencies
- Shading and building orientation characteristics
- Thermal boundaries
- The house as an interactive System
Modules A,B
Prepares for the BPI RBE-WHALCI certification. Learn specific methods to tighten building envelope to reduce energy loss and improve thermal comfort. Candidates will be able to demonstrate competence in a variety of weatherization jobs.
FEE: $4,000 includes—
- 40 hours self-paced online instruction
- One day intensive hands-on lab instruction
- BPI RBE-WHALCI written and field exams
Module C
Prepares for the BPI Building Analyst Professional certification. Go beyond a traditional energy audit to perform comprehensive, whole-home assessments, identify problems at the root cause and prescribe and prioritize solutions based on building science.
FEE: $3,400 includes—
- Residential Energy textbook
- Two-day classroom review of energy basics
- 24 hours of online course modules
- One-day hands-on field training
- BPI Building Analyst Professional written and field exams
Modules C, D
Quantify performance and prescribe improvements to help tighten the building envelope (shell), stop uncontrolled air leakage and optimize comfort, durability and HV/AC performance. The BPI Envelope Specialist certification in conjunction with the Building Analyst certification makes your company eligible to apply for BPI Contractor Accreditation.
FEE: $3,900, includes—
- All materials, coursework and exams listed above for the Building Analyst Professional Certificate
- Six hours of online course modules
- Two-hour classroom review
- One-day hands-on field training
- BPI Building Envelope Specialist written and field exams
Module E
Prepares for the RESNET Qualified EnergySmart Contractor exam. Learn how to help builders and architects positively affect building design using a whole house, total systems approach. RESNET recommends that EnergySmart contractors employ at least one individual who is HESP certified.
FEE: $1,500, includes—
- Two-day classroom review of energy basics
- Eight hours of online course modules
- RESNET EnergySmart Contractor Exam
- RESNET CEQ (Contractor Education and Qualification) Provider Certification fee for the first year
Module F
Learn how to perform energy ratings and provide homeowners and home builders with detailed analyses of energy consumption, and provide recommendations for energy conservation and cost savings. You will learn how to utilize powerful diagnostic equipment and state-of-the-art software to aid you in the energy analysis of a home. And you will learn about the latest energy finance and incentive programs that can help you expand your business.
Cost $2,600 includes—
- Two-day classroom review of energy basics
- 28 hours online course modules
- Three days of classroom training by a Home Energy Institute Rater
- IBS HERS Rater Handbook; REMRate software (trial version)
- RESNET National Rater Exam
Modules E, G
Prepares for the RESNET HESP Certification Exam. A Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) is qualified to conduct a walk-through assessment of the general energy performance problems and make basic recommendations for improvements or further analysis. This certification is the minimum credential required to become an approved DOE Home Energy Assessor.
Cost $2,600 includes—
- Two-day classroom review of energy basics
- 20 hours online course modules
- Residential Energy textbook
- Two-hour classroom review
- RESNET HESP Exam
- RESNET HESP Provider Certification Fee for the first year
- RESNET EnergySmart Contractor Exam
Under the EPA’s 2010 ruling, all contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting on pre-1978 built structures are required under federal law to be certified and use lead-safe work practices. This course will qualify you and/or your employees for the necessary EPA certification.
Cost $250 includes—
- One-day classroom instruction
- Starter kit, mask, test kit, coverall
- All course materials
- Certification exam
Program Details
Certification workshops are presented by the University of Nebraska at Omaha in cooperation with FD & Associates. UNO College of Business Administration provides the classroom facility, computer labs and proctors the exams at Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine Street on UNO’s Aksarben Village campus.
10/5/12: Building Energy and Weatherization Basic Program Completion Date
10/12/12: RRP Lead Renovation Certification Instructor-led Training Date
10/16-19/12: BPI Advanced Whole-House Weatherization Installer Certifiation Instuctor-led Training Dates
10/1-3/12: BPI Building Analyst Professional & Envelope Specialist Certificate Field Training/Test Dates
Tuition Grants
syNErgy, a federal grant program, can award up to $4,000 for training costs to qualified individuals. To qualify, attend a free orientation meeting. Contact Nina Rogers at 402-595-3022 for locations/times and to RSVP.
Prerequisites
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent OR 8th grade level education with Math/Reading assessments through LSW Strategies are prerequisites for:
- Building Energy & Weatherization Basics Certification
- Advanced Whole-House Weatherization Certification
- RRP Lead Safe Certification
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent OR completion of certificates listed above are prerequisites for:
- BPI Building Analyst Professional/Envelope Specialist Certification
- RESNET Home Energy Rating System Certification
- RESNET EnergySmart Contractor Certification
- RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional Certification
For more information, contact:
Harold Sargus
University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Business Administration
Omaha NE 68182
402-554-4088

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Building Performance Institute (BPI)
Stringent technical standards and requirements mean that BPI certified professionals are in demand—from homeowners, state and utility energy efficiency incentive programs and weatherization assistance programs.

Residential Energy
Services Network (RESNET)
RESNET’s standards are officially recognized by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program.
INSTRUCTOR

Floyd D. Brown, has over 15 years experience working on various EPA, HUD and local projects concerning environmental health and indoor air quality. He is the founder/CEO of FD & Associates Environmental (1996); a full service consulting and mitigation company. His certifications include BPI Building Analyst, BPI Envelope Specialist, BPI Field Testing Proctor, Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector (Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota), Asbestos Inspector/ Supervisor (Nebraska). He is also a certified EPA National RRP trainer/instructor.
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