Designed for students seeking to become BPI certified residential energy auditors or to understand the principles of energy auditing. Includes training in the principles of energy transfer, building envelopes, energy auditing, air leakage, insulation, windows and doors, heating systems, cooling systems, indoor air quality, lighting, appliances, and water heating. Students will gain the skills required to perform building inspections and make cost effective recommendations for improving energy efficiency. At the conclusion of this class students will be able to sit for the Building Performance Institute (BPI) theory written test for Building Analyst certification.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Introduction to residential energy
- Energy and building shell
- Air Leakage/Insulation
- Windows and doors
- Heating and cooling
- Lighting and appliances
- Water heating
- Health and safety
- Field certification preparation
- Apply course information in order to pass BPI field certification exam.
- Apply concepts of energy conservation related to residential buildings.
- Formulate a plan to help consumers resolve heating, cooling and air leakage problems.*
- Evaluate methods for reducing energy costs and improving building efficiency.*
- Analyze the overall condition and efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
- Analyze the overall efficiency of a home and identify primary areas of air leakage in walls, ceilings and foundations.
- Demonstrate energy savings through sealed windows, doors and other openings in the a residential home including fireplaces, attic hatches and electrical outlets.
- Prepare a plan for addressing future upgrades to the building including an economic analysis of payback periods for each planned upgrade.*
Assessment and Requirements
Student academic achievement will be assessed via:
- Tests
- Class participation
- Final field test exam
- Written field audits, in addition to labs, quizzes, and assignments.
To be determined by instructor.