“I felt that everyone involved was
competent and
honest about my
energy upgrade
needs.
- Ellen Winder,
BPI contractor
customer
BPI Accreditation
What Does It Mean?
BPI Accredited contracting companies
have made an organization-wide commitment to quality and accountability.
performance levels and trace problems.
Using the results from the detailed assessment, they prescribe and prioritize real
solutions based on proven building science.
The companies in this elite group follow
BPI standards for home assessments and
retrofits. They enjoy a competitive advantage over their competition because
they can prove their solutions work. The
test-in/test-out protocols ensure installed
improvements attain the desired goals,
and that means fewer call-backs and happier, more satisfied customers.
The rewards are great. Not only do certified professionals enjoy increased employment opportunities, they also play an
integral role in reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and improving
the comfort, safety, durability and energy
efficiency of existing housing.
Using the house-as-a-system approach, BPI
Accredited contractors conduct comprehensive whole-house assessments that go beyond a traditional energy audit to establish
Accredited contracting companies see an
improved bottom line, earn a reputation
for quality work and also add value to the
community.
How Does My Firm Become BPI Certified?
BPI certified professionals are specialists in their chosen fields. By attaining your certification, you demonstrate your knowledge and skills are among the best in the country – capable of diagnosing critical performance factors in a home that impact comfort, health, safety,
durability and energy efficiency.
To become BPI certified, first choose which certification you want. Seven certifications
are available in different disciplines each with a specific area of knowledge. Next reference
the BPI Small Homes Certification Policies & Procedures for detailed requirements of each
certification. Once you have reviewed this document as well as the Testable Knowledge
List, Field Guide and the BPI National Standard for each certification, you can schedule
your exam with BPI or a BPI Test Center in the area. For more steps on becoming BPI certified, visit www.bpi.org/professionals_process.aspx
Get Qualified. Earn More. Pursue BPI Accreditation to
Better Your Firm’s Effectiveness and Your Bottom Line
400 East Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607
phone 585.442.2030
fax 585.442.2039
www.pathstoneenergyinfo.org
Help Your Customers Say “Yes” - In your project proposals, suggest program-sponsored low-interest loans
and cash back incentives. There are a number of
options available to consumers to help pay for the cost
of the energy efficiency improvements, which gives the
contractor and customer greater financial flexibility.
Become Part of an Elite Group who
Follow BPI National Standards of
Home Assessments and Retrofits
Contractor Benefits
Financial Assistance, Lead Generation and Other Incentives
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is involved in promotions for BPI Accredited contractors who have gone through the required training and certification process. The greatest benefit to the for contractors is the increased level of knowledge which translates to better results in the field. As a participating BPI Accredited
Home Performance Contractor, new and existing customers will appreciate your depth of building technology knowledge.
Financial assistance and savings will be given to contractors for covering the costs of diagnostic equipment. Additional financial assistance is provided to contractors who complete projects through the program. Contractors with BPI Accreditation
will be added to NYSERDA’s Residential Contractor listings, which receives over 2,000 hits each week and provides potential customers with a list of participating BPI Accredited contractors in their area. Participating contractors also receive:
1) Free additional marketing through funds sent directly to contractors to help pay for advertising and marketing efforts; and
2) Home Performance with ENERGY STAR outreach promotions created by NYSERDA to attract potential customers.
Connection To PathStone
NYSERDA selected PathStone as the regional constituency-based-organization
(CBO) to provide outreach for NYSERDA programs in the Finger Lakes Region. Our mission since 1969 has been to offer services to rural, low-income
and economically depressed areas with lines of business that provide education,
housing, job placement, and emergency services. The role of PathStone in this
project has been to educate the public at a grass-roots level about free and reduced-cost “whole house” energy assessments, audits for buildings used by
small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, low-cost financing for energy
efficiency improvements and participation in green job training opportunities.
Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA stated, “This very localized approach will help NYSERDA reach people that we may not have
reached otherwise. We’re trying something new that we believe will have a
great impact in getting people to make their homes and businesses more energy
-efficient.”
10 Steps To Certification
1. If you do not already know the certification you want, choose from the
seven BPI certifications that are available.
2. Review the BPI Small Homes Certification Policies & Procedures.
3. Review the Testable Knowledge List, Field Guide and the BPI National
Standard for each certification being considered to understand the requirements.
4. Determine if training is required prior to attempting certification.. Independent Training Organizations can be found using the BPI Training
Organizations Locater Tool.
5. Schedule your exam(s) directly with BPI or a BPI Test Center in your
area.
6. Fill out the Application for BPI Certification and take it with you to your
exam.
7. Take a 100-question exam and field exam that covers the fundamentals
of building science as well as knowledge specific to the certification being attempted. See additional information on testing here.
8. Complete the applicable exams successfully, with an overall score of
70% or higher. Complete the Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) and
Carbon Monoxide (CO) sections of the field exams with a grade of 85%
or higher.
9. Receive your certification(s)
10. Obtain thirty Continuing Education Units (optional) and recertify every
three years.
View BPI Frequency Asked Questions