The Building Performance Institute Inc.’s (BPI’s) Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate of Knowledge has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a minimum qualifying credential for candidates to take the Home Energy Score Assessor exam. To offer DOE’s Home Energy Score to homeowners, assessors must work directly with a Home Energy Score Partner and hold at least one minimum accepted credential, including BPI’s BSP certificate, Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, Home Energy Professional (HEP) Energy Auditor, and/or HEP Quality Control Inspector certifications.

“The BSP and Home Energy Score are a natural marriage as the BSP focuses on the fundamentals of building science, and caters to a wide spectrum of individuals in the building trades,” said Larry Zarker, CEO, BPI. “The BSP helps home assessors understand how the house works as a system, which, in turn, will help them use the Home Energy Score with maximum accuracy.”

Home Energy Score

DOE’s Home Energy Score allows homeowners to compare the energy performance of their homes to other homes nationwide. On a scale of one to 10, a 10 shows excellent energy performance and a one means the home needs serious energy improvements. Developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Home Energy Score report includes:

• The score itself;

• Facts about the home including data collected and energy use breakdown; and

• Recommendations to improve the energy efficiency and score of the home.

BPI Rater

BPI is a Home Energy Score Partner and uses the Home Energy Score as the rating tool in its BPI Rater program. To become a BPI Rater, candidates must:

• Hold an active BPI credential or BSP certificate;

• Submit an application to the BPI Rater program;

• Use the DOE’s free online training tool to become familiar with the Home Energy Scoring Tool and prepare for the assessor exam;

• Pass the DOE’s free online Home Energy Score Assessor exam; and

• Have an experienced building science professional (a mentor) accompany them on their first walk through of a home being scored.

To learn more on how to become a BPI Rater, go to www.bpi.org/rater.

Information courtesy of Building Performance Institute Inc. For more information, visit www.bpi.org.

Publication date: 4/27/2015 

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