Energy Auditor | Bismarck State College

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Energy Auditor

What is an Energy Auditor?

A home energy auditor is a professional who conducts a thorough inspection of a home to identify areas where energy is being wasted, usually by examining insulation, air leaks, heating and cooling systems, appliances, and lighting, and then provides recommendations on how to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility bills; they often use specialized tools like blower doors and infrared cameras to detect energy loss during the audit process. North Dakota currently has only a handful of qualified energy auditors. Future programs such as the HOME rebate programs will require an energy audit by trained personnel for the homeowner’s rebate application to qualify.

Students will earn three credentials in this program administered by the Building Performance Institute (BPI):
  • BPI Building Science Principles (BSP)
  • BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T)
  • BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P)
Please complete the interest form below if you would like to be contacted when registration is available for the next class.

 
Info Sheet

Prerequisites and/or Requirements

This program includes everything you need to be successful without prerequisites. This package includes a built-in hierarchy of three professional credentials – BPI Building Science Principles, BPI Building Analyst Technician, and BPI Building Analyst Professional.
 
All BPI certification courses start with self-paced online training and conclude with proctored certification exams. Each part must be completed in order before moving on in the course.

Part 1: Building Science Principles (BSP)
This introductory course will help students gain a comprehensive view of why energy auditing and retrofit work are important components to improving efficiency, air quality, comfort, and occupant safety and health.

Part 2: Building Analyst Technician (BA-T)
A BA-T student will be able to leverage their understanding of Building Science Principles to understand the fundamentals of building analysis and conduct the diagnostic testing required to provide a comprehensive report with a list of prioritized home performance recommendations.

Part 3: Building Analyst Professional (BA-P)
The BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) is an advanced certification for home performance professionals. A BA-P is a BPI-certified Building Analyst Technician who also conducts energy modeling, building analysis, and data evaluation to provide a comprehensive report with a list of prioritized home performance recommendations.
 

Length of Program

The Energy Auditor training is a 54-hour training to include 36 hours of online training, 10 hours of hands-on training, and eight hours of exams.

Course attendance is an essential part of the educational process of this training and is mandatory. Missed online classwork or hands-on training by the student as part of the TrainND Southwest Energy Auditor course for any reason, may result in unsuccessful completion of the course

Course Outcomes

  1. Understand Building Science Fundamentals: Gain a comprehensive understanding of core building science principles, including heat transfer, air movement, and moisture management, to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.  
  2. Conduct Comprehensive Energy Audits: Learn to assess building performance by identifying energy-saving opportunities, evaluating HVAC systems, and analyzing building envelope conditions using industry-standard tools and methods.  
  3. Perform Diagnostic Testing: Master diagnostic techniques such as blower door testing and combustion analysis to identify and quantify air leakage, ductwork inefficiencies, and potential safety hazards.  
  4. Develop and Communicate Energy-Saving Recommendations: Create detailed energy audit reports with actionable recommendations and effectively communicate findings to homeowners, contractors, and stakeholders.  
  5. Achieve BPI Certification Credentials: Demonstrate mastery of technical knowledge and practical skills required for the BPI Building Science Principles, Building Analyst Technician, and Building Analyst Professional certifications.  

Exams/Certifications

Part 1: Building Science Principles (BSP)
A 14-hour course taught in an online format concluding with a two-hour unproctored online exam. At the end of the course, and to receive a course completion certificate, each student will need to complete all the required modules and successfully pass the post-course assessment with a 70% or above. Students will be able to take a practice exam before sitting for the exam to earn their BPI Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge.

Part 2: Building Analyst Technician (BA-T)
A 12-hour course taught in an online format followed by eight hours of hands-on training concluding with a four-hour field exam. At the end of the course, and to receive a course completion certificate, each student will need to complete all the required modules, attend field training in full, and successfully pass a practice post-course assessment with a score of 80% or higher. Students seeking BPI Building Analyst Technician certification must meet the requirements as outlined in the prerequisites section, and then attempt the BA-T field exam at the conclusion of their course.

Part 3: Building Analyst Professional (BA-P)
A 10-hour course taught in an online format on the BSC Campus followed by two hours of in-class review concluding with a two-hour proctored exam. At the end of the course, and to receive a course completion certificate, each student will need to complete all the required modules and successfully pass a practice written exam with a score of 80% or higher. Students seeking BPI Building Analyst Professional certification must meet the requirements as outlined in the prerequisites section.
 

Career Investment

The Energy Auditor $4,179 tuition includes all online, classroom materials and equipment use. In partnership with the North Dakota Department of Energy, students will receive a state energy program scholarship to cover the full cost of tuition.

The following expenses are the financial responsibility of the student: lodging and travel, a computer or tablet for online learning, and a notebook along with a pen/pencil. If lodging is needed, please inquire with us about an opportunity for reduced lodging rates.