BPI Training Chapter of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors

 

Day 1 (8AM – 5PM)

 

1. Introduction:

    

      Energy Perspectives: 1949 – 2008 (DOE graphical presentation)

      Energy – Past and Present

‘Residential Energy’ – Cost savings for existing homes (John Krigger & Chris Dorsi.).  This is required reading material prior to the course – to be ordered and studied by each Student before the commencement of the course.

 

U.S. Dept. of Energy: Energy Savers Booklet (Tips On Saving Energy & Money)

      BPI Technical Standards - Building Analyst Professional

      Energy Auditing Terms and Definitions: A – Z

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Introduction to Energy Concepts:

Definition of Energy

Basic forms of Energy

Units of Energy

Energy and Power

Laws of Thermodynamics

Efficiency

Energy Definitions (primary energy, delivered energy , useful energy)

Renewable vs. Non-renewable

Types of Pollutants

Nature of Energy

Law of conservation of Energy

Transferring thermal Energy (conduction, convection, radiation)

British Thermal Unit – BTU

R-value

U-value

Heating Degree Days  - HDD  and  Cooling Degree Days – CDD

 

 

3. House as a System:

    

House as a system of inter-related components and systems

Balloon Frame vs. Platform Frame

Sources of Moisture

Moist warm air rises

Roof structure: joist frame vs. truss frame

Attic ventilation types

Flat roofs vs. pitched roofs

Recommended grading slopes

Swales vs. French drain

House flashings

Foundation types

Heated vs. unheated crawlspaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 (9AM – 5PM)

 

4. Combustion Safety:

    

What we inspect on combustion appliances

Testing for gas leaks: valves, pipes, connectors.

What we test on combustion appliances

Chimney and flues: different types of chimneys and problems found

CAZ Zones

What is worst case for draft testing

Recommended procedure for inspecting an existing gas appliance

Set-up for CAZ depressurization test

Obtaining stable readings

Appliance testing set-up (water heaters & central heating systems)

Checking for drafting

Checking for spillage

Carbon Monoxide poisoning  - what it is and what is a safe level

Carbon monoxide causes and solutions

Carbon monoxide testing procedures

Carbon monoxide recommendations as per BPI standards

Other I.A.Q.(Indoor Air Quality) safety issues: Radon Gas, Mold, Lead Paint, Asbestos. Includes the basic understanding of Psychrometric charts.

Requirements of a safe and energy efficient home

The Thermal Boundary

Difference between pressure and thermal boundaries

Thermal and air barriers must be continuous

Pressure and thermal boundaries alignment

The Air Barrier

Air leakage

Direct leakage

Ventilation

Driving forces of air leakage: Temperature difference vs. pressure difference

Stack Effect

Combustion equipment and exhaust fans

Duct leakage

Using a blower door as a controlled driving force

Pascal – metric standard

Cubic foot per minute – cfm

Blower door installation set-up procedure

Accurate cfm-50 measurement: cfm-50, cfm-natural, cfm-50/”n” factor

Air changes per hour at 50 pascals  - ACH-50

Minimum ventilation requirement – MVR

Room by room inspection with blower door running

 

7. Typical Improvement Measures :

    

Moisture problems identified and recommended solutions

Condition and types of air filters

Duct and pipe modifications

Waste heat recovery devices

Appliances with older electric motors

CFL’s vs. incandescent lamps

Hot spots: chimney penetrations and recessed light fixtures

Dryer ducts

Insulation: attic, walls, crawlspace

Zonal pressure diagnostics – ZPD

Pressure pan testing

CAZ testing

Thermal losses and imaging

Solar heat gain through double insulated windows

NFRC window ratings

Weatherstripping, door seals

Recommended air sealing - Onsite

Recommended mechanical ventilation – Onsite

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Energy Related Formulas and geometry:

    

Cost effectiveness:

- Payback - PB

- Rate of return - ROR

- Savings-to-investment – SIR

            Geometry:

- plane geometry

- solid geometry

Air exchange factors:

            - CFM50, ACH50, ACHn, ALH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 (9AM – 5PM)

9. Physical on-site energy / building performance audit:

    

DVD – Building Analyst Field Training Video: How to perform a Home Energy Audit)

 

Pre-audit briefing and preparation

Home owner introduction and interview

Exterior walk about: grading issues, thermal boundaries, chimneys, etc.

Health and safety testing: 

- gas leaks

- CAZ testing, appliances testing

- CO testing of water heaters(DWH), Furnaces, Gas ranges

            Blower door test:

-          installation and set-up

-          Locate air leaks

-          Room by room zonal testing

Central heating systems: Furnaces, boilers

Water heating systems

Lighting

Refrigeration equipment

Windows, doors, attic access hatches

Fuel switching opportunities

Heat loss savings opportunities

Energy consumptions and recommendations

Appliance and lighting upgrade opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4 (9AM – 5PM)

10. Test Preparation / Review(AM)  &  Written Test(PM):

     

Written Test(PM):

- 100 questions: 2 hrs (70% pass required)

- Non-programmable calculators only

- Documents permitted: BPI Standards of Practice for Building Analyst

- No other books or training material allowed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 4 & 5 (9AM – 5PM)

11. Test Preparation & On-site practical field Test:

     

            On-Site Field Test:

- 2 – 3 hrs. needed per Candidate (70% pass required, but 85% pass required for combustion safety). Field testing times to be decided amongst Candidates.

- Building Analyst Field Guide – explanation of testing criteria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What you get from us while attending this course:

 

- All course training material, standards of practice, other reference materials

- BPI Standards of Practice for Building Analyst Professional

- U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Savers Booklet – Tips on Saving Energy

- BPI approved written exam and 1on1 field examination.

- We provide refreshments at coffee breaks