BPI Announces Year of Strong Growth in 2011 End of Year Report

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Malta, NY, March 22, 2012 - The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) announces the release of its 2011 End of Year Report detailing a year of strong growth for the home performance credentialing and standards setting organization. A steady rise in the number of individuals earning BPI credentials demonstrates the strength of the home performance industry despite a tough economy. BPI achieved several significant goals and accomplishments in 2011:

• Certifications grew 120 percent over 2010 figures - there were a total of 14,571 certifications awarded this year, bringing total active certifications to 31,662.
• BPI initiated a change in its relationship with training organizations to transition them from Training Affiliates to BPI Test Centers. This was in response to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) protocols requiring certification bodies to demonstrate that training is independent of the evaluation and certification process, and that impartiality is not compromised.
• Growth in the number of BPI Test Centers continued, with 304 test centers in 2011, up from 242 in 2010.
• The number of proctors rose to nearly 1,400, up from 1,000 in 2010. BPI prepared to introduce new quality control procedures to ensure proctoring services are consistent and fair across the nation.
• BPI's credentials or standards were specified in 120 state, local or utility energy efficiency programs by year's end.
• Accredited contracting companies are represented in 30 states and 10 regions. Region 8 (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and North and South Dakota), led for the year at 200 percent growth, followed by Region 9 (California, Arizona and Nevada), at 38 percent growth.
• BPI was selected by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as the certifying body to develop four new ISO 17024 accredited certifications in 2012. These nationally recognized, transferrable certifications will expand BPI's suite of certifications to include energy auditor, retrofit installer, crew leader, and quality control inspector.
• BPI developed new Quality Assurance (QA) procedures for proctors and test centers, to improve testing services, impartiality and fairness in the marketplace.
• BPI launched its Green Jobs Connection initiative to connect BPI certified professionals from the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to jobs within BPI's private home performance contractor network.

About the Building Performance Institute
The Building Performance Institute, Inc., (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. BPI is approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as an accredited developer of American National Standards.

BPI offers the following:   

• National standards to ensure top quality, consistent protocols are being followed throughout the home performance and weatherization workforce
• Certification of individuals in building analyst, heating, AC/heat pump, shell/envelope and multi-family designations
• Accreditation of contracting companies committed to delivering quality home performance improvements
• Quality assurance to verify conformance with BPI Standards and provide feedback for continuing improvement
• Partnership of testing organizations that deliver BPI services in their market 

For more information on BPI, visit www.bpi.org.

Building Performance Institute, Inc.
107 Hermes Road, Suite 110
Malta, NY 12020
Phone: (877) 274-1274
Fax: (866) 777-1274
info@bpi.org
www.bpi.org