Professional Certification Courses

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Professional training programs focus on providing training for certification and are designed to help professionals increase their knowledge and abilities. There are two main categories of certification courses including new homes and existing homes. Both are detailed below.

1. New Homes. Three organizations highlighted below provide certification courses on new homes. These include:
   
   
   • Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA) is an international organization that provides educational products and services for improved building performance to its members. Members of EEBA have the can register to participate in a "Master Builder" certification program. The program is offered year round through EEBA's Institute of Building Technology. Topics covered in the program include: Building Design Basics, Codes Comprehension, Design Components, Green and Sustainability, Commissioning and Testing, Indoor Environments and Health and Mechanical Systems.
     
     
   • Residential Energy Services Network (RESNAT) is comprised of a national group of mortgage companies, real estate brokers, builders, appraisers, utilities and other housing and energy professionals interested in increasing the number of families qualified for homeownership through the expansion of mortgage financing options and home energy ratings. RESNAT in collaboration with other organizations offers its member the opportunity to enroll in a home energy rater certification program based on the HERS Rating Method.
     
     
   • North American Technician Excellence (NATE) offers tests to both Installation and Service technicians. Posted on their website are course descriptions. NATE has a network of hundreds of Testing Organizations across the country, and testing takes place all year.
     
     
2. Existing Homes. A number of state and local government agencies as well as private companies offer weatherization certification programs for their residents. For additional information, please see your local governments' web site or click on the corresponding link above.



3. Good Installation Practices. In order to have energy efficient products work well, they need to be installed well. The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is an independent non-profit that provides comprehensive, nationwide testing and certification for HVAC technicians who work on or install residential and light commercial equipment and systems. NATE training, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy, increases the number of technicians skilled in the proper installation and service of HVAC equipment, which ensures that equipment runs at peak efficiency and helps achieve energy efficiency goals.