Demystifying Energy Efficient Audits - How To Identify What Certifications Are Reputable
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by: BrandtSmith | Total views: 15 | Word Count: 449
Nobody will deny that getting an ashrae energy audit will help you improve your industrial energy efficiency. The problem is finding a certified auditor to perform the work. While you can find a lot of people available ready to take your money, it can be difficult to find the correct mix of education and experience.
It Can Be Confusing
It may be difficult to judge an auditor's capabilities, so several organizations have created standards and certifications. While this will help you select an assessor, it also has created an alphabet soup of certifications: HERS, HESP, RESNET, BPI, AEE, CEM, EMIT, CEA, CSDP, CRM, CBCP, BEP, CMVP, CEP, CLEP, DGCP, GBE, CGD, CPQ, REP, EBCP, BESA, CRU, HPB, REA, NEASI, EEA, and EAI.
One more thing adding to your uncertainty is the fact we now have no less than six certifying organizations. Some provide overlapping coverage. Some are legit and respected, while others are of questionable validity.
Everybody States They Are The Best
One can't even look to the organizations themselves for assistance. Every certifying association states they've got the very best certifications. While most are respectable and top quality, they can't all be the best!
Think about Your Needs
You also will need to consider what form of building or facility the certifications deal with. Nearly all cover residential, several cover commercial, and only one even vaguely addresses industrial audits. Since residential, commercial, and industrial audits need different skills and knowledge, you'll need to make sure your auditor's certifications match your requirements.
For example, BPI and RESNET certifications concentrate on residential audits. They cover energy conservation basics, but focus on weatherization and household appliances. This means they are great for residential and light commercial audits, but these certifications don't do anything to validate an assessor's abilities for anything else.
Contrast this with AEE's CEA/CEM certifications. They also cover energy conservation basics, but their focus is on commercial equipment, HVAC systems, and lighting. Weatherization is barely brought up since it isn't used in commercial audits.
Industrial Audits Are A Different Breed
Any time you need an industrial energy audit, your options are limited. The only real certifications that cover industrial audits are through AEE. That being said, the AEE certification really qualifies an assessor to perform commercial audits. For industrial audits you also need someone with extensive industrial experience, someone who understands your process and industrial equipment.
We've Created A Guide To Help You Decode Energy Assessment Certifications
You are not alone if energy efficient audit certifications mystify you. Over and overour clients ask us "what certification should I look for." To help answer these questions we created a complimentary guide to sort out energy assessor certifications: Deciphering Energy Audit Certifications. Go to our web site at industrialenergyaudit.com and get it today.
About the Author
Industrial Energy Audit Services are industry leaders in the field of ashrae energy audits. Our decades of experience will make your commercial energy audit fast, effective, and affordable. We're so sure that we will save you money, that we pledge that we'll save you 15% or more on your energy bills.
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