Remodeling - February 2009 - (Page 41)

Going Green Building Performance Institute: BPI Certiﬁed Professional www.bpi.org PROCEDURE BPI’s certifications and accreditation focus on building performance, not general green practices. The institute offers several certifications for individuals within the two broad categories of small homes and multifamily dwellings including Building Analyst — a good fit for remodelers. BPI also offers accreditation for companies that agree to perform work according to its standards. Mathew Anderson, director of certification and accreditation, suggests starting with individual certification and offering the services to homeowners to gauge their reaction b before applying for company accreditation. The BPI-Certified Professional is the in individual certification. It requires that you: ■ Submit a candidate application form. BPI or a affiliate will then contact you to evaluate an you your background and recommend training. ■ Sc Schedule your exam. Most affiliates offer the w written exam at the end of the training. Pas ■ Pass your exam with 70% or higher. The BPI-Accredited Contractor is the company certification. It requires that your firm: ■ Submit an application and provide supporting documentation. ■ Enter into an agreement with BPI that defines duties and responsibilities. REQUIREMENTS Though formal experience and training are not prerequisites for taking the exams, BPI recommends candidates seek training and have experience in the building performance industry. If you are a RESNET/HERS–certified rater, you can bypass 50 of the 100 written questions, but still must take the field exam. EXAM The written exam is usually taken on the last day of training; field tests take place in a structure/house selected by the student or instructor. COST If taken through BPI, the written test costs $200; the field test costs $350. Costs for exams taken through affiliates vary. They might charge $1,000 to $2,000 for one-week training, which includes the cost of both tests. MARKETING/ADDED BENEFIT BPI-certified professionals receive a photo ID badge with candidate ID number, a certificate, and uniform patches. BPI also offers supporting materials to accredited contractors including sell sheets, cooperative advertising, and online sales and marketing videos. CONTINUING EDUCATION Required every three years. If you meet the continuing education requirement with courses through a BPI affiliate, then you need only take the $350 field test. BPI’s Web site has a list of acceptable continuing ed, but BPI will also review other classes with proof of attendance. INDIVIDUALS CERTIFIED 2,000 Building Analysts a remodeling project, you are remode resigned to the location.” Remodelers should review Remod the inform information on the USGBC Web site, a if they decide and they have a project that would qualify, loca a LEED for locate Homes prov provider to get started. Kredich encourages remodelers to start with green practices rather than being concerned about earning a certification. “Ultimately, the things that should be measurable are utility bills. It used to be $400 and now it is $100 — you do not need certification behind it to demonstrate this benefit.” REGREEN www.regreenprogram.org The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the USGBC have partnered to create nationwide green residential remodeling guidelines for existing homes. Kredich says that this program follows the same fundamentals as the LEED for Homes program, including energy ratings, water efficiency, and materials selection. The program offers guidelines for 10 project types: kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, bedroom, living and working area, finished basement, home performance, major addition, gut renovation, deep energy retrofit, and outdoor living. The program does not rate or certify houses, Kredich notes, but it includes robust educational programming in person and online. Regreen is working on a program to be released later in 2009 that recognizes individuals who have gone through the program’s education process. HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR (HPWES) www.energystar.gov With HPWES, a local sponsor (a state energy office, utility, or nonprofit energy-efficiency organization) is responsible for ensuring that participating contractors maintain high standards for quality. This typically includes providing specialized training for contractors and conducting quality-assurance inspections. p The program is designed for signed and mostly used by new-home ew-home builders. Remodelers could apply to earn the standard, but it’s tough to earn for existing homes. ting “Instead of pursuing a score, we want contractors to use our o tools and resources to help them o analyze houses and deliver on eliver improving homes,” says Chanys dler von Schrader, program ogram manager for HPWES. —N.P. LOCAL TRAINING AND RATING PROGRAMS For information about local programs, visit remodelingmag.com. remodelingmag.com Remodeling February 2009 41 http://www.bpi.org http://www.regreenprogram.org http://www.energystar.gov http://www.remodelingmag.com http://www.remodelingmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Remodeling - February 2009

Remodeling - February 2009 Contents First Word Market Watch Linda Case Mark Richardson Shawn McCadden Ways + Means Bottom Line Sales + Marketing Field Notes By Design Tech@ Work Good Form Close Up Second Look Going Green Clinic Specbook Upscale Remodeling Start Right People, Process, Profits Interview: Sara Ryan Duffy, President of SRD International New + Notable Products Final Touch Green Speak Green Spec In Focus First Look Benchmark

Remodeling - February 2009

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