All committee members will earn up to 12 BPI continuing-education units for their participation on the committee. The committee will prepare a certification scheme that will guide the development of test questions for the Whole House HVAC Quality Maintenance certification.

The BPI Certification Management Board (CMB) determined a need for a certification directly related to the maintenance and upkeep of installed residential HVAC systems when contractors are performing an HVAC clean and tune, or are addressing the performance of a home during a whole-house energy retrofit.

This certification has successfully demonstrated the minimum tasks to be performed for identifying energy, health and safety, and durability issues in the home. This includes inspecting, testing, and measuring electrical components, controls, mechanical, venting, air distribution, and piping systems of residential HVAC systems in accordance with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) ANSI/ACCA Standard 4: Maintenance of Residential HVAC Systems.

The scheme committee also will focus on the requirements for the candidate to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide recommended corrective actions to remedy identified energy, health and safety, and durability-related issues, such as cleaning, or adjusting, and/or replacing equipment and components of HVAC systems on a periodic basis.

BPI is looking for volunteers in the following categories: building scientists, home performance and HVAC contractors, program implementers, manufacturers/distributors, and general-interest persons. Those interested should submit their application (found at www.bpi.org) no later than Feb. 15.

Publication date: 2/4/2013