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Saratoga Springs, NY: The Total Building Performance Certificate of Knowledge (TBP), a new credential from Building Performance Institute to promote deep energy retrofits, is available now. The Certificate is the only one of its kind, designed to prepare individuals with the holistic knowledge to plan, assist, and guide residential deep energy retrofit projects to reduce energy consumption by 50% or more. Deep energy retrofits address all major energy loads in the home: space conditioning; hot water; lighting; solar energy installation, and appliances and plug loads. They may also address on-site power generation and electrical/thermal storage and prepare the electrical system to support electric vehicles. 

BPI and its partners are excited to launch the new certificate. The TBP is a Certificate of Knowledge program of Building Performance Institute, (BPI), the nation’s premier developer of certifications and standards for the home performance industry. It was created in partnership with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partners (NEEP), Energy Futures Group (EFG), and Building Performance Association, with funding from the US Department of Energy. 

Advancing Deep Energy Retrofits in the Market

TBP certificate holders will demonstrate that they have the knowledge to plan, assist and guide a deep energy retrofit project. General contractors, energy auditors, consultants, public utility project managers, and others working in energy efficiency and renewable energy may use the skills covered in the TBP to conduct a retrofit that meets the customer’s needs and budget.

The TBP is the only certificate that equips individuals with the holistic ability to plan and design whole-building retrofit projects. It was developed to ensure customer satisfaction and maximize residential energy and emissions savings.

Deep energy retrofits aim to achieve household energy reductions of at least 50% by addressing all major energy loads: space conditioning; hot water; lighting; solar energy installation, and appliances and plug loads. They may also address on-site power generation and electrical/thermal storage and prepare the electrical system to support electric vehicles.

Deep energy retrofits require a comprehensive, whole-home plan of action and close coordination between multiple contractors. A workforce of highly qualified individuals who can plan and design a comprehensive retrofit is needed to simplify the process for customers and programs. The certificate will help meet the immediate need for energy efficiency and decarbonization of existing homes.

Earning the TBP

The TBP certificate is earned by passing an online exam. Training modules were developed by EFG and are available for free, hosted by NEEP. Candidates can find instructions and apply to challenge the exam at  https://www.bpi.org/total-building-performance-certificate.

The pilot Total Building Performance Certificate exam is free to the first 500 exam takers, on the first attempt. If a candidate must re-challenge the exam to obtain a passing score, there will be a fee for the second attempt.

The Total Building Performance certificate covers 8 areas of knowledge needed to serve as a general contractor for a deep energy retrofit. It offers a solid base of knowledge for holders to develop a new line of business and establish trust with customers. 

Rigorous. Respected. Accessible.

The TBP certificate is designed to be rigorous, comprehensive, and accessible.

“American homeowners are ready for deep energy retrofits,” says John Jones, National Technical Director at BPI. “We developed the TBP certificate to help them find contractors and individuals who can give the best value for their money and maximize energy savings. We’re very excited to see what TBP certificate holders will do in the market.”

“NEEP is excited to launch the Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge pilot program in conjunction with our partners at BPA, BPI, and EFG,” said John Balfe, NEEP Senior Manager, State and Community Solutions. “Participants in the TBP pilot program will be among the next generation of clean energy workers, with a unique combination of expertise in comprehensive energy retrofit projects. They will be instrumental in helping meet the growing demand from homeowners and policymakers to reduce emissions from existing buildings.” 

“Deep energy retrofits can be daunting for homeowners, leading to delays, inaction, or limited energy savings. But a general contractor who earns a TBP certificate can manage those complicated projects, allowing customers to get the most from their retrofits. The TBP certificate is going to be a tremendous asset to both consumers and contractors,” says Steve Skodak, Executive Director of the Building Performance Association.

Get Started

The TBP will provide customers with a single point of contact to coordinate their retrofit. It will help build the robust, knowledgeable, and inclusive workforce that’s needed to meet customer demand for more comfortable and healthy homes, and to achieve urgent climate goals.
 
Please visit BPI|Total Building Performance to learn more about earning the Total Building Performance Certificate of Knowledge.



About BPI

Building Performance Institute, Inc (BPI) is the nation's premier standards development and credentialing organization for residential energy auditing and upgrade work. BPI’s mission is to provide the benefits of home performance to the nation’s homeowners through best practice standards, credentials and quality assurance services for the home performance and weatherization industry. 
BPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993. It is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as a developer of American National Standards and by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ISO/IEC 17024 as a certifying body for the Energy Auditor professional certification. Visit them on the web at bpi.org.

About NEEP

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, founded in 1996, is a bipartisan nonprofit that drives regional collaboration to accelerate energy efficiency, electrification, and grid flexibility in the building sector as a core strategy to reduce climate pollution and build an affordable, sustainable, and resilient energy future. NEEP works across the 12 states and the District of Columbia that make up the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. For more information, visit neep.org or follow NEEP on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

About Energy Futures Group

Energy Futures Group (EFG) is a clean-energy consulting firm committed to transforming our energy system to one that is clean, efficient, renewable, safe, affordable and equitable. They achieve this by bringing a unique combination of technical, economic, program and policy experience to bear on some of the world’s most critical energy problems. EFG designs, implements, reviews, and evaluates programs and policies to promote investments in efficiency, renewable energy, other distributed resources, and strategic electrification. 

About Building Performance Association

The Building Performance Association (BPA) is a 501(c) 6 nonprofit industry association that serves as the hub for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies working to make America’s homes more comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient. BPA is dedicated to supporting the professional growth of its 20,000 members and program participants by offering educational programs, advocacy at the state and federal level, and member resources. For more information, please visit www.building-performance.org.