BPI Launches Building Science Principles Certificate For Home Performance And Energy Upgrade Industry

MALTA, NY – January 8, 2013 – The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) launched its Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate of Knowledge and companion Reference Guide January 7th, responding to strong demand for a method of verifying basic building science knowledge in the home performance and energy efficiency retrofit fields.

"The Building Science Principles certificate is a first step into the world of home performance," said Larry Zarker, BPI CEO. "It's for those in the residential building trades and anyone interested in a career in sustainability who need to know how homes work, but don't need the hands-on technical skills required of BPI certified professionals."

BPI has received strong interest in the certificate from manufacturers on behalf of their dealers and distributors, from home inspectors, appraisers and realtors, from educators, and from program managers in government and utility energy efficiency programs.

"We are very excited to see BPI launch the BSP certificate," said Bill Spohn, CEO of TruTech Tools, Ltd. "It will be a major asset for the management and sales teams of successful dealers/distributors who need to grasp crucial home performance principles. When they feel confident about their knowledge of home performance, they're better able to communicate the benefits of whole house solutions to customers."

"Not everyone in this industry needs to be an energy auditor, but everyone should have the foundation of knowledge that the Building Science Principles certificate verifies," says Vince DiFrancesco, CEO of Everblue. "For students interested in a career in sustainability or green buildings, this certificate is a must have."

Earning the BSP certificate is based on passing a 100-question online exam that verifies a basic knowledge of building science. The BSP certificate's companion Reference Guide helps prepare candidates to understand how various systems of the home interact to maximize energy efficiency, enhance building durability, and protect occupant comfort, health and safety. The Reference Guide can be used alone or as a complement to online or classroom training, should candidates require it.

Since the BSP is a knowledge-based exam, it requires no hands on field-testing with diagnostic equipment. For those considering a career in home performance contracting, it serves as an introduction to BPI's technical certifications, including the Building Analyst, Building Envelope, Heating and AC/Heat Pump professional designations. The BSP certificate is not a BPI professional certification, and certificate holders are not 'BPI certified'.

BPI certified professionals earn three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by taking this exam and achieving a passing score.

House-as-a-system building science demonstrates how various components of a home interact to affect its overall performance. To perform optimally, the building envelope, heating, A/C, insulation, mechanical ventilation, lighting, appliances and other systems of the home must be considered together as one system.

For more information on the certificate, to purchase the Reference Guide or to register to take the exam, go to www.bpi.org/certificate.

About the 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. 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.

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 with testing organizations that deliver BPI services in their market

For more information about BPI, please use the contact details and links provided below.