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1. BPI Written Exam
2. BPI Field Exam
The main topics of the BPI BA exam are listed out below.  Click on a link that interests you, or you need some brushing up on to learn more on each subject.

1. Building Science Fundamentals
1a. Basic terms and definitions
1b. Principals of energy, air & moisture
1c. Combustion science

2. Buildings and Their Systems
2a. Building components
2b. Conservation strategies
2c. Comprehensive building assessment process
2d. Design considerations

3. Measurement and Verification of Building Performance
3a. Applied diagnostics and troubleshooting

4. BPI National Standards and Project Specifications
4a. Comprehensive building assessment

5. Analyzing Buildings Systems
5a. Comprehensive building assessment
5b. Appliances and lighting

6. Conduct and communications
6a. Conservation strategies

BPI Written Exam - Section 2 Buildings and Their Systems

  1. 9. Proper Use of Modeling to Determine Heating and Cooling Equipment Sizing and Appropriate Energy Use

Energy modeling determines the heat gain into a house and then we can determine how much heating and cooling we need to offset the gains.  All the models need a bunch of data including:

  1. Orientation
  2. Occupants
  3. Window and door measurements
  4. Attic ventilation
  5. Insulation
  6. Building dimensions
  7. Duct leakage
  8. Air leakage
  9. CAZ
  10. Combustion safety tests
  11. Canned lights
  12. Pool pump
  13. And more
What the models do not do
The models do not need or account for room pressures or static pressure. Studies in Phoenix have shown a 10% cooling (only) reduction when jump ducts were installed in rooms with high room pressure.  The models do not model radiant barrier savings (DOE says $0.03 per sq ft of attic space) or air barrier and misalignment R-values (you have to use your own judgement).  Solar electricity is also not modeled but solar thermal can be by bumping the efficiency factor up.

Wrightsoft and a couple other companies makes software to do the modeling for:

  1. Manual J for HVAC sizing
  2. Manual D for duct work sizing


This type of modeling is good for new home construction but can also be used as a sales tool like the software companies listed below.

Other energy modeling companies do what is called a simple-J calculation, which is a simplified version of the Manual J to predict energy savings.  

Some of the modeling companies are:

  1. REMRATE and REMDESIGN - required for a HERS analysis
  2. CSG and EMHome - east coast home performance contractors and they created a desktop software
  3. Design Star by Rheem (free) - easy to use but doesn't work on all browsers
  4. Snugg Home - easy to use and tablet friendly

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