According to BPI, the organization recognizes the specialized training and work experience HVAC contractors bring to the home performance industry, and has established eligibility criteria for HVAC companies to achieve BPI Accredited Contractor status that reflects this background.

In order for HVAC contractors to be accredited by BPI, the company must employ at least one staff member with the following certifications (or at least two staff members each of whom have one or the other):

• BPI Building Analyst certification; plus

• RSES (one of three member designations: Certificate Member, Certificate Member Specialist, or Active Specialized Member);

• NATE (Oil or Gas Service or Installation certifications); or

• NORA (Silver or Gold certification).

All other application requirements follow standard procedures for BPI accreditation.

Don Frendberg, chairman of the NATE board of trustees, stated, “NATE is the industry leader in certifying technician excellence, so it makes perfect sense that BPI would recognize contractors who employ NATE-certified technicians as part of its accreditation requirements. NATE certification validates the skills and knowledge of HVACR technicians, making them a valuable asset to any contractor’s staff.”

According to Ray Isaac, president of Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning in Rochester, N.Y., “This update to BPI’s accreditation program ensures that all accredited contractors have technicians on staff who are trained to get the job done right. NATE certification is one clear way to demonstrate a technician’s ability to perform at the industry’s highest standards.”

Patrick L. Murphy, CM, RSES director of training and testing, said, “RSES CM/CMS designations have been in use for more than 75 years, proving the expertise of HVACR professionals. Joining these designations with the building science world will allow RSES members the ability to expand their knowledge into whole-house performance while being accredited to the BPI standard for making sure the house works as a system.”

According to BPI, the institute “is a developer of technical standards for residential energy-efficiency retrofit work” and develops “accreditation for contracting companies, professional credentials for individuals, and a rigorous quality assurance program that raise the bar in home performance contracting.”

For more information, visit www.bpi.org, www.natex.org, www.naohsm.org, and www.rses.org.

Publication date: 05/21/2012