Remote Audit Protocols Released
We're proud to announce the release of two new technical documents outlining the guiding principles and protocols for conducting remote energy audits in single-family and multifamily buildings. Guidance and funding for this initiative were provided by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Remote audits will limit the time industry professionals spend inside dwellings to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other highly contagious diseases for auditors and occupants, and optimize collection of data to reduce audit time.
The Guidelines and Protocols were developed with assistance and oversight of subject matter experts representing the single-family and multifamily sectors. BPI thanks all subject matter experts who volunteered countless hours to this effort.
All of BPI's technical standards are freely available for use, with reproduction by permission. If you use these guides, please consider letting us know how they help your work!
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Scholarships Available
Applications for the Jon Siemen Memorial Scholarship are now open.
Recipients will be able to take online and field exams for BPI certification at no cost. BPI will also help each recipient to obtain training for that certification at reduced or no cost. Applicants must must currently work with a weatherization assistance program or be a United States military veteran. Applications are due by November 30th.
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Standards Technical Committee
We're currently seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the BPI Single Family Standards Technical Committee. BPI's Standards Technical Committees (STC) develop standards in an open and fair manner in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved BPI standards development procedures.
Standards Technical Committees are appointed to review and act on proposals and comments from the general public, with updates to the standards made on a regular basis. The Single Family STC is currently addressing the update of ANSI/BPI-1100- 2014.
Each member of the STC is identified by the interest category they represent: Industry, User, or General Interest. BPI is seeking applications from stakeholders from the Industry category willing to invest the time and energy to develop and maintain the technical standards our industry needs.
BPI seeks to ensure a balance of interest categories and representation by technical expertise, geographic location, experience in the building sciences, and willingness to serve. New members will be appointed to a term of up to three years.
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Improve Health and Indoor Air Quality with HHP
BPI is now offering the Healthy Housing Principles Certificate. The Healthy Housing Principles provide knowledge of how the different components of a home interact to affect occupant health.
Authored by Kevin Kennedy, director of the Environmental Health Program at Children's Mercy Hospital, Healthy Housing Principles gives a comprehensive background in how environmental problems in the home can damage health. Anyone who works with families in homes should consider earning the Healthy Housing Principles Certificate.
By earning the HHP, you will gain important insight to help improve client health. The following groups especially may benefit from study:
- Community health workers, in-home nurses, and asthma educators
- County and city health department staff
- Public and private medical facility staff and administrators
- Utility program representatives
- Remodelers, insulation, HVAC, and other trades professionals
- Home inspectors and realtors
- Federal, state, and local government program managers and staff
- Secondary and post-secondary teachers and students
If you are already working in home performance, chances are you are already improving your clients’ health. In fact, the Department of Energy (DOE) found that home performance upgrades done with energy efficiency in mind also improve overall occupant health. What a difference we can make! Earn your certificate of knowledge now.
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Success in Connecticut
While many people in Connecticut lack access to workforce training and education energy efficiency businesses are facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. Efficiency for All has partnered with the Office of Workforce Strategy and Capital Workforce Partners to invite job seekers to a 12 week, fast-track trip to a growing career in energy efficiency.
By serving motivated job seekers with fast-track training E4All will develop an inclusive clean energy economy, help businesses meet their workforce needs, and connect families with a lifetime of economic opportunity.
The twelve week curriculum provides 6 weeks of study including essential workplace skills, prosperity planning skills, career planning, and technical training to prepare students to sit for one or more BPI certificate exam, and 6 weeks of paid work experience with a regional energy efficiency company.
Partners from around the state celebrated the achievement of ten successful participants in early September. All ten graduates are now employed in Energy Efficiency careers. BPI sends congratulations and best wishes to all! Efficiency for All is currently enrolling the next cohort and will continue to run this program in the future.
To learn how to replicate this program in your area please contact Leticia Colon de Mejias at [email protected]
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What's Happening
Last month BPI welcomed Kelly Carey to the team as Marketing & Communications Specialist. “Kelly brings a wealth of experience in communicating available home upgrade services to families and individuals at the county level,” said BPI CEO Larry Zarker. “We look forward to her ability to take these messages to the national level for families and the contractors who serve them." We're excited to have her experience and passion for change on board!
We are saddened by the unexpected passing of David Rinebolt, Executive Director of Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy. Dave was a passionate advocate for energy justice and a tireless supporter of community action, which brings Weatherization Assistance Program and other energy justice funds to underserved communities around the country. Memorials may be made to OPAE — Dave Rinebolt Memorial Fellowship, PO Box 1793, Findlay, OH 45839-1793, or to Hancock County ADAMHS, 438 Carnahan Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Learn how to attend his memorial on October 19 via Zoom here.
Wildfires have created indoor air quality problems for millions of people in the American west. Brett Singer and Woody Delp, internationally recognized experts in the field of indoor air quality at the Energy Technologies Area, Berkeley Lab, recommend this guide to creating an affordable indoor air cleaner with a box fan and air filter for about $40. A study by Chemical Insights, an Institute of Underwriters Laboratories, shows that the DYI air filter does not create a fire hazard. Please spread the word for those folks who are struggling with indoor air quality during wildfire season.
On October 26, EPA's Office of Research and Development will announce the winners of the Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge. Winners will share their innovative ideas for low-cost solutions that quietly and safely reduce indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during periods when outdoor PM2.5 concentrations are high. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions as time allows. Register for the Q&A session now!
The green buildings and energy efficiency industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. and around the world—and demand for energy efficiency and green buildings jobs is growing too. Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)’s Green Buildings Career Map explores 55 careers and over 300 possible progression routes. Explore it now!
GoldStar webinars are BPI's guide to successful business development. Twice a month we invite building performance experts to share how they create a stable, profitable business, improve quality of work, recruit market effectively, and more. To get notified of upcoming events sign up here!
Share your news: We're inspired by the innovation and speed of change in the building performance industry. In the coming months we'll be developing industry stories as part of our regular communications. Share yours with us!
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Energy Efficiency Jobs Report
E4 the Future has released the 2021 report, Energy Efficiency Jobs in America. More than 2.1 million Americans work in energy efficiency, the largest part of the entire U.S. energy sector. Efficiency workers cut energy waste in myriad ways. They are also an economic development engine devoted to designing and building a better, healthier future.
The new report highlights the tremendous opportunity to grow a healthier climate, meaningful employment, and thriving families through energy efficiency jobs. It also shows the areas the industry needs to expand: diversity, recruitment, retention, and communicating the incredible value of the energy efficiency to our society. Read the summary, explore state by state data, or download all 319 pages of the full report and share!
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State Climate Efforts Need Efficiency for
Energy Justice and Cost Control
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released a report revealing that despite robust climate goals, states risk higher costs and less equitable outcomes because they have limited plans for using energy more efficiently.
ACEEE’s review of the 17 U.S. states and territories with laws requiring a transition to 100% clean electricity found that only Virginia’s and Washington State’s include specific efficiency targets. Of the 24 states (and the District of Columbia) with greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, 8 make no mention of energy efficiency, while 15 mention it in an undefined way. Only New York’s and the District of Columbia’s emissions targets encompass specific energy consumption reduction goals.
Several studies show that improving energy efficiency is a key tool for decarbonization.
"It doesn't make sense for any state to go after a big transformation of its energy system with one hand tied behind its back," says says Weston Berg, senior researcher for state policy at ACEEE and lead author of the report. "We don't want to look back in a decade or two and see that these states left some of the best tools on the table."
We're hoping that every state will incorporate specific efficiency targets into its climate goals. Learn more and read the report here.
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BPI sets national standards for improving comfort and energy efficiency for creating and maintaining safe and healthy home environments. BPI's professional certifications for home contractors ensure quality service and workmanship. BPI is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
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