Energy use in buildings can be reduced by 10 to 40 percent by improving operational strategies in buildings, according to a study by the Energy Systems Lab at Texas A & M University. A new certification program from ASHRAE helps building owners know they are hiring and retaining employees and consultants who know how to take advantage of such strategies.
The Operations and Performance Management Professional Certification (OPMP) program helps earners demonstrate their knowledge of the management of facility operations and maintenance and their impact on HVAC&R systems' performance. The program will launch at the ASHRAE Winter Meeting in Chicago in January and will be available via electronic testing centers worldwide starting in March 2009.
“With buildings using 40 percent of all energy in the United States, it is essential that their energy consumption be reduced,” says Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president. “Every building, new or old, must be operated at its own optimum level. To do so, we must apply advanced knowledge and skills to building operations. ASHRAE's OPMP certification helps professionals attest that they are well prepared to manage and maintain buildings to fully achieve reliability and their potential energy savings.”
Developed with input from APPA and GSA, the OPMP certification program is intended for those working in facilities operations, management construction, design, or consulting; and for those who have experience in facility operations and performance. By earning OPMP certification, certificants will demonstrate a well-rounded understanding and knowledge of the management of facility operations and maintenance and the impact of O&M on HVAC&R systems' performance.
Individuals must meet certain eligibility qualifications to take the exam. For more information, an exam content outline and available resources for exam preparation, please visitASHRAE's certification page.
The fee for the OPMP program is $275 for ASHRAE members and $395 for non-members. ASHRAE certification exams currently available include Healthcare Facility Design Professional and High-Performance Building Design Professional.
