Green Jobs in Energy Efficiency knows that green jobs are well-paid, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality.

Our objective is to direct you to jobs in the green industry which center around energy efficiency. We have reviewed a lot of different training sites for energy efficiency rater or auditor jobs and recommend that you look at

Denby Energy

Energy Audit Institute

Both of these sites are excellent sources for beginning your training in energy efficiency and your new career in the green jobs arena. We have found them to be easy to use, learn from, affordable and offer advanced training in the energy efficiency industry.

In addition if you already doing work in the energy efficiency area we offer numerous links to green job sites nationwide.

It is actually an easy business to start. The requirements you need are provided through the training courses which we have reviewed. Your level of "technical expertise" is such that you do not need to have a background in the construction trades, inspection business or engineering.

It's a business which you follow a dedicated course of events (survey) which has in turn a prescribed listing of energy efficiency upgrades. As you conduct the survey of the home or business you follow the different topics on the survey. These efficiency topics lead you through the property and you note what is there and possible upgrades and then relate that to your client at the end of the survey.

It is as easy as that. Now realize, you get paid to show folks how they can save energy by making simple changes! Surveys and audits can bet more technical. And that is one of the areas which the training programs which we reviewed and recommend cover extensively. They offer both basic training and upgrades as you grow your business.

A home energy audit (or survey) evaluates an existing home to determine where and how energy is being lost, what systems are operating inefficiently and what cost-effective improvements can be implemented to enhance occupant comfort, make the home more durable and lower utility costs. This is the first step which a property owner would have done to determine the energy efficiency of their home.

We have defined three types of energy assessments for existing homes which range in complexity

• from a simple but effective walk-through survey
  
• to a performance audit using diagnostic equipment and computerized data analysis to a comprehensive
  
• home energy rating utilizing the most sophisticated modeling software to produce a home rating score on the HERS Index. These options, listed from least complex to most complex are explained below.
  

A Home Energy Survey is a visual inspection and does not include the use of diagnostic testing equipment. Its purpose is to assess the general energy performance of an existing home including:

• Building envelope features (windows, doors, insulation, ducts) and ages
• Heating, cooling and ventilation equipment types, characteristics and ages
• Appliance and lighting characteristics
• Comfort complaints
• Visible moisture issues
• Visible health and safety issues

The Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) will request a review of utility use and billing history to better understand potential opportunities for savings. A report of the complete assessment is provided, including basic recommendations for improving the home's energy efficiency, as well as low-cost do-it yourself tasks. It also includes information on relevant utility-based programs that may include incentives for the homeowner to take. A Home Energy Survey takes approximately one hour to complete. The courses from both Denby Energy and Energy Audit Institute are courses which will teach you how to do this type of survey and how to build a business which you can build on and grow into the next two levels of training in energy efficiency.

Our two energy efficiency training companies can also provide you with advanced training to do a Building Performance Audit. This is also sometimes referred to as a Whole House Energy Audit.

It includes all of the inspections provided in the Home Energy Survey and but also includes diagnostic testing using specialized equipment such as a blower door, duct leakage tester, combustion analyzer and infrared camera to determine:

• The amount and location of air leaks in the building envelope
  
• The amount of leakage from HVAC distribution ducts
  
• The effectiveness of insulation inside walls and ceilings
  
• Any existing or potential combustion safety issues
  

A Building Performance Auditor (BPA) conducts a whole-house evaluation and performs computer software analysis to identify and prioritize proposed treatments for improvement. The detailed report will provide suitable retrofit recommendations and specifications and guide the homeowner to the appropriate Qualified Energy Smart Contractors who can perform the work. A Building Performance Audit takes 2-3 hours depending on the size of the home.

A Comprehensive HERS Rating is the most in-depth performance audit of an existing home. It consists of the evaluation, diagnostic testing, cost-effective recommendations and work specifications contained in a Building Performance Audit.

In addition, a Comprehensive HERS Rating includes a computerized simulation analysis utilizing Special Accredited Rating Software to calculate a rating score on the HERS Index. The report will also contain a cost/benefit analysis for the recommended improvements and expected return on investment. Comprehensive HERS Ratings of existing homes will be required to qualify loan applicants for certain federally sponsored mortgage products. See our page on Energy Mortgages.

Again, our two firms which we have reviewed can offer you this training and how to get the approvals and certification to do them.