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BPI Written Exam - Section 2 Buildings and Their Systems

1. 13. Appropriate Applications for Fenestration Upgrades Including Modification or Replacement 

A good energy auditor never let's sales or specific products get in the way of making good, prioritized recommendations.  Window replacement is likely warranted in older homes (greater than 70 years) with single pane, leaky, encasement  style windows. One should also go through a checklist though first which considers:

1. The orientation and sun exposure. In Phoenix, about 2 hours of direct sunlight on a windows is our limit to recommend shade screens.  In more temperate climates, shade screens may never need to be on the recommendation list.
2. Leakage testing using a blower door and smoke pen. Sometimes sealing a leaky window is as easy as applying a new bead of caulk around the frame.  Other times, the entire window needs to be replaced.  A loose piece of glass or condensation between the window panes is not repairable and replacement is the only option.
3. Cost savings analysis using a energy modeling program can show the estimated savings from replacement, adding shade screens or exterior shade and should be compared to your other recommendations and homeowner preference. Sometimes it doesn't make financial sense to replace windows, but the homeowner has been wanting to do it for years, in which case you should just go with the homeowners preference. 

Replacement windows should have the ideal U-factors, SHGC, air leakage, condensation resistance and visible transmittance for your climate type.  For example, in Phoenix, the U-factor and SHGC are the most important window qualities.  Phoenix is not a windy place so air leakage doesn't really matter.

Next Section

2a. Building Components

1. Identify basic duct configurations and components
   
2. Identify basic hydronic distribution configurations and components
3. Identify basic structural components of residential construction 
   
4. Thermal boundaries and insulation applications 
   
5. Basic electrical components and safety considerations 
   
6. Basic fuel delivery systems and safety considerations
   
7. Basic bulk water management components (drainage plumbing gutters sumps etc) 
   
8. Vapor barriers/retarders 
   
9. Radiant barrier principles and installations 
   
10. Understand fenestration types and efficiencies 
    
11. Understand issues involved with basements, crawlspaces, slabs, attics, attached garages, interstitial cavities, and bypasses 
12. Understand issues involved with ventilation equipment 
13. Understand basic heating / cooling equipment components controls and operation 
    
14. Understand basic DHW equipment components controls and operation 
    
15. Identify common mechanical safety controls 
    
16. Identify insulation types and R-Values 
    
17. Understand various mechanical ventilation equipment and strategies: spot, ERV, HRV 
    

2b. Conservation Strategies

1. Appropriate insulation applications and installation based on existing conditions 
   
2. Opportunity for ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances 
   
3. Identify duct sealing opportunities and applications 
   
4. Understand importance of air leakage control and remediation procedures 
   
5. Blower door-guided air sealing techniques 
   
6. Water conservation devices and strategies 
   
7. Domestic Hot Water (DHW) conservation strategies 
   
8. Heating & cooling efficiency applications 
   
9. Proper use of modeling to determine heating and cooling equipment sizing and appropriate energy use
   
10. Understand the use of utility history analysis in conservation strategies 
    
11. Appropriate applications for sealed crawlspaces basements and attics 
    
12. Identify/understand high density cellulose 
    
13. Appropriate applications for fenestration upgrades including modification or replacement 
    

2c. Comprehensive Building Assessment Process

1. Determine areas of customer complaints/concerns in interview
   
2. Understand / recognize need for conducting appropriate diagnostic procedures including when to refer to a specialist for further investigation
   
3. Interaction between mechanical systems, envelope systems and occupant behavior
   

2d. Design considerations

1. Appropriate insulation applications based on existing conditions
2. Understand fire codes as necessary to apply home performance in a code-approved manner.
3. Understand/recognize building locations where opportunities for retrofit materials and processes are needed to correct problems and/or enhance performance
   
4. Understand climate specific concerns
   
5. Understand indoor environment considerations for the environmentally sensitive
   
6. Understand impact of building orientation, landscape drainage, and grading
   
7. Opportunity potential renewable energy applications: geothermal , photovoltaic, wind
   
8. Understand impact of shading on heating / cooling loads
   
9. Awareness for solar gain reduction in cooling climate/solar gain opportunities in heating climates
   
10. Understand need for modeling various options for heating, cooling and DHW applications, as well as other efficiency upgrades