How to Become a Home Energy Inspector

Home energy raters can tell you how much energy this light bulb uses.

Becoming a home energy inspector is becoming increasingly popular, and lucrative, with America's new outlook on alternate energy jobs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a "home energy rater" is the professional term for someone doing home energy inspections. This position requires that you look at the energy use of old, inefficient appliances and make recommendations to replace them with newer models. Energy raters inspect for air drafts and insulation deficiencies that can rob a house of its desired internal temperature, causing the heating and air conditioning to work overtime. Once finished with an energy audit, a home energy inspector would provide a cost analysis report, showing how much money can be saved by upgrading appliances and insulation.

Things You'll Need

• RESNET-qualified training program

Instructions

1. Look for approved training provider organizations that are listed with RESNET. According to Energy Star, a joint affiliation between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RESNET-certified home energy raters sets the standard for certified home energy inspectors.

2. 

   Study hard

   Acquaint yourself with the curriculum of the training organization you selected. Many courses offer online preparation tests and study manuals to prepare you for their intensive-style curriculum. Study ahead of your start date and test yourself to see what you have retained and where you need help. To pass the RESNET-certified program, you will need to score 80 or better.

3. Attend your classes and take as many notes as possible to aid in your studies. RESNET courses are study intensive and cover a lot of material in one- and two-week classes.

4. 

   Time to show off what you have learned!

   Take your RESNET written exam and pass it.

5. Begin your three probationary field inspections. Part of your certification will require three probationary field inspections. If your current training provider does not offer the three required field inspections, contact a RESNET-approved training organization, also called a "Rating Provider," to begin your required three probationary field inspections. Bring notes on anything you had trouble with in the written portion so that you have the material to reference while you are in the field. Once you are successful with all three probationary audits, you will receive a completion certificate from the training organization.

6. Talk to a RESNET-certified training organization to get your certification since RESNET itself does not actually certify Energy Inspectors directly. Find out if the Rating Provider meets your needs in terms of business support and customer referrals because you will be working with the Rating Provider on an ongoing basis.

Tips & Warnings

• By double checking that you are getting certified through a RESNET-qualified training provider, you are also setting yourself up for future sales leads.

References

• U.S. EPA RESNET Guide
• RESNET Requirements
• Guide to Energy Audit Certification

Resources

• Energy Auditing Overview