Building Performance Institute (BPI)
Whether you are a seasoned contractor or new to the world of home performance, Southface’s BPI trainings are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to assess and improve existing homes for health, safety, and energy efficiency! Our trainings prepare you to successfully challenge the written and field exams (included) necessary to achieve certification by the Building Performance Institute. BPI Certification is recommended or required to participate in multiple incentive and rebate programs across the country, including Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES), as well as the Georgia Power EarthCents and Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP).
Available Trainings: |
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BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional (Combination Course)
The BPI Building Analyst Professional and Envelope Professional combination course is a comprehensive 5-day training which covers many topics including fundamentals of building science, home assessment and improvement concepts, and the use of diagnostic equipment including Blower Door, Duct Leakage Tester, Pressure Pan, Exhaust Fan Flow Meter and Combustion Safety Testing equipment. This combination course will prepare students to challenge the written and field exams for any/all of the following Certifications: BPI Building Analyst Professional, BPI Envelope Professional, and the National Home Energy Professional Energy Auditor. To achieve any BPI certification, a student must receive a passing score on both the written and field examination for that specific certification. Please note that for this course, ONE (1) written exam of your choice is included in the cost of the training. However, no field exams are included in the cost of this training and each field exam must be paid for and scheduled separately (see BPI Written and Field Exam section below to register). This training has been approved by BPI for 10 BPI Continuing Education Units.
Learn
After successful completion of this course, the participant will be able to perform comprehensive whole-home energy assessments, employ advanced diagnostic testing techniques, evaluate building systems performance, diagnose problems, and provide cost-effective solutions that increase energy efficiency and improve the health and safety qualities of the home.
Earn
- CEUs: BPI, 10 hours
- Certifications: BPI Building Analyst Professional (must pass the Building Analyst Professional written and field exams), BPI Envelope Professional (must pass the Envelope Professional written and field exams), National Home Energy Professional Energy Auditor (national BPI Energy Auditor certification currently under development, must pass the written and field exams when available).
This Training Includes
- Thirty-two hours of classroom/lab training by certified BPI Professionals, conducted in a green building with day lighting
- Access to Math Basics and Building Science online learning modules
- Interactive hands-on activities in a state-of-the-art weatherization training center containing demonstration equipment and two demonstration cabins
- Site visit to an existing home for inspection and diagnostic testing training
- Blower door & pressure differential diagnostic testing
- Duct pressurization & pressure pan testing
- Ventilation flan flow rate measurement
- Combustion safety testing (spillage, draft, CO, gas leaks)
- Choice of one (1) BPI written exam. Choices include: Building Analyst Professional, BPI Envelope Professional, or BPI Energy Auditor (when available).
Prerequisites
- LMS Courses: Basics of Building Science, Math Basics (access provided upon registration)
- Since this course covers a wealth of material in a limited time, we recommend that students familiarize themselves with basic mathematics and construction terminology prior to attending the training. Students should also possess basic mathematical and computer operation skills.
Additional Information
- Program URL: www.bpi.org
- Please note that field exams are NOT included in this course. Field exams are by appointment only for an additional fee.
BPI Heating Professional Training
This four-day training is designed to introduce the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the Building Performance Institute (BPI) Heating Professional certification. This training provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete comprehensive assessments of fuel powered heating systems and water heaters, assess homes for areas of energy efficiency and performance upgrade opportunities, and improve the overall health and safety qualities of the home. To achieve BPI Heating Professional certification, a student must receive a passing score on the BPI Heating Professional written and field exams (both included in tuition costs).
Training Includes
- Twenty-four hours of classroom/lab training by certified BPI Professionals, conducted in a green building with day lighting
- Access to Math Basics and Building Science online learning modules
- Interactive hands-on activities in a state-of-the-art weatherization training center containing demonstration equipment and two demonstration cabins
- Site visit to an existing home for inspection and diagnostic testing training
- Safety and efficiency testing techniques for forced air and hydronic systems
- Blower door testing
- Duct pressurization testing
- Combustion safety testing (spillage, draft, CO, gas leaks)
- BPI Heating Professional written and field exams (all exams must be filmed)
Student Requirements
There is no required prerequisite for attending the BPI Heating Professional training. However, it is highly recommended that participants be certified BPI Building Analyst Professionals. Students should also possess basic mathematical and computer operation skills.
Additional Information
- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (lunch provided)
- Please note that this is a four-day training plus a one-day field exam. Field exams are by appointment only and may be scheduled on the fifth day of training or on a future date.
BPI Manufactured Housing Professional Training
The BPI Manufactured Housing training is a three-day course which covers fundamentals of building science, manufactured home construction details, manufactured home assessment and improvement concepts, Health & Safety testing and inspections, and the use of diagnostic testing equipment including Blower Door, Pressure Pan, Combustion Safety Testing equipment. The course includes a hands-on workshop that demonstrates manufactured housing duct diagnosis and repair, belly retrofits, sidewall retrofits, and roof retrofits. All hands-on training follows acceptable practices set by the Building Performance Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program Standard Work Specifications. This course will prepare students to challenge the written and field exams for the BPI Manufactured Housing Professional certification. To achieve any BPI certification a student must receive a passing score on both the written and field examination. Please note that for this course ONE (1) written exam and ONE (1) field exam is included in the cost of the training. Field exams will be scheduled on the fourth day of training. This training has been approved by BPI for 5.25 BPI Continuing Education Units.
Learn
After successful completion of this course, the participant will be able to perform comprehensive whole-house energy assessments on manufactured housing, employ advanced diagnostic testing techniques, evaluate residential HVAC system performance, diagnose problems, and provide cost-effective solutions that increase energy efficiency and improve the health and safety qualities of manufactured homes.Earn:
Earn
- CEUs: BPI, 5.25 hours
- Certification: BPI Manufactured Housing Professional (must pass the BPI Manufactured Housing Professional written and field exams)
Training Includes
- Twenty-four hours of classroom/lab training by certified BPI Professionals, conducted in a green building with day lighting
- Access to Math Basics and Building Science online learning modules
- Interactive hands-on activities in a state-of-the-art weatherization training center containing demonstration equipment
- Site visit to an existing manufactured home for inspection and diagnostic testing training
- Blower Door and pressure differential testing
- Pressure pan testing
- Ventilation flow rate measurement
- Combustion safety testing (gas leaks, worst case depressurization, spillage, draft, CO)
- One (1) written and one (1) field exam for the BPI Manufactured Housing Professional certification
Prerequisites
- LMS Courses: Basics of Building Science; Math Basics (access provided upon registration)
- Since this course covers a wealth of information in a limited time we recommend that students familiarize themselves with basic mathematics and manufactured house construction terminology prior to attending the training. Students should also possess basic mathematical and computer operation skills.
Additional Information
- Program URL: www.bpi.org
- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (lunch provided)
- Please note that this is a four-day training that includes three days of classroom and hands-on instruction and one day of field testing.
BPI Written and Field Exams ONLY
For individuals who are only interested in taking BPI written or field exams, Southface regularly proctors a variety of BPI exams independent of our trainings. Testing sessions are available the second Thursday of each month.
For more information, please contact bpi@southface.org.
