Text Resize

Saratoga Springs, NY: The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) is calling for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist in developing the Residential Electrification Energy Audit Professional Certificate of Knowledge.

Responding to national, state, and local government efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of their citizens and electrify the building stock, BPI has developed the Guiding Principles for Conducting Electrification Energy Audits on 1 – 4 Family Homes and seeks to develop a certificate of knowledge based on these protocols. The Guiding Principles for Conducting Electrification Energy Audits on 1 – 4 Family Homes defines electrification audit procedures and will to be added as an informative annex to ANSI/BPI-1200 Standard Practice for Basic Analysis of Buildings.

This Residential Electrification Energy Audit Professional (REEAP) Certificate of Knowledge will include limited aspects of building durability and occupant health and safety, and alternative energy sources, with a goal of providing a comprehensive report with a list of prioritized recommendations with measures to reduce energy consumption as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible by replacing fossil fuel systems and appliances with electrical systems and appliances, and decarbonizing the dwelling.

State and utility programs will be able to point contractors to the training and certificate of knowledge exam to ensure that the Residential Electrification Energy Audit Professional will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to optimize decarbonization techniques when auditing 1-4 family dwellings. The certificate will also empower home performance contractors to develop a new line of business in electrification services.

For this effort, BPI seeks experts who understand the implications of electrification efforts such as the need to weatherize buildings to reduce heating and cooling loads to better integrate electric HVAC and DHW appliances, communication with building occupants to address comfort and utility bill implications, and those familiar with demand response programs, solar energy and electric vehicle installations.

The following interest categories of SME representation are needed

Industry - A member of the home performance or weatherization industry who is involved with production, assembling and/or distribution, or sells materials, products, systems, or services

Trainer - Individuals involved in the training of weatherization and home performance workers

User - An individual who purchases, uses, installs, or specifies materials, products, systems, or services used in home performance or weatherization  

General Interest - General Interest SMEs are neither Industry nor User SMEs. This category may include personnel from state or federal regulatory agencies, health/safety professionals, researchers, or personnel from trade associations or other organizations.

Candidates should have the following qualifications

• Have subject matter expertise directly related to the focus of certificate. Examples include current or previous certifications such as Building Analyst Technician (BA-T), Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) Crew Leader, Energy Auditor, AC and Heat Pump, Envelope, and Heating Professional certifications.  
• SMEs should understand the importance of air sealing, insulating, and other load reduction measures before fossil fuel appliances are exchanged for electric alternatives.  An understanding of water heating and envelope, heating, and cooling load implications is needed to ensure customer satisfaction, comfort, and improved utility bills after retrofits have been installed.
• Have three (3) or more years of field experience in the relevant area of knowledge
• Be free from any competing interest to ensure impartiality and non-discriminatory judgment. (Candidates must sign and abide by the BPI Code of Ethics & Conduct which includes a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement)

Other useful backgrounds include knowledge of utility billing practices such as demand response programs, solar energy and EV implications including program administration.  We seek a variety of backgrounds, so it is not necessary to have knowledge in every area mentioned.

Responsibilities of the SMEs include

• Develop the new Certificate of Knowledge scope
• Develop the Certificate of Knowledge Job Task Analysis (JTA)
• Sign and abide by the BPI Code of Ethics & Conduct, which includes a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement

If you are interested in participating in the development of this Certificate of Knowledge, please fill out the Subject Matter Expert Application and submit it electronically through Monday, March 25th, 2024. BPI Certified Professionals can earn five (5) BPI CEUs by participating.

About Building Performance Institute

BPI is the nation's premier building performance credentialing, quality assurance, and standards setting organization. BPI develops technical standards using an open, transparent, consensus-based process built on sound building science. From these standards, BPI develops professional certifications for individuals, company-wide credentials for BPI GoldStar Contractors, and home energy rating systems.

BPI is approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as an accredited developer of American National Standards and as a certifying body for personnel credentials.