HERS Basic Certification Training

The CBPCA 2008 HERS Basic Certification Training provides the classroom and field training required to qualify as a California Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing Rater under the new 2008 Standards. This course will qualify you for rating existing homes for Title 24, Part 6, field verifications and diagnostic testing of homes for utility HVAC incentive programs.

It will also provide:

What you need to know:

  • Prerequisites: None
  • Dates and Locations: Courses scheduled throughout the year in various California locations.
  • Cost: $675
  • Registration: Pre-registration is required.

CBPCA HERS Courses

Questions

If you have questions about the class or the registration process, or if you have technical questions about the state regulations or the job of a HERS rater, you can call our CBPCA HERS Training hotline at 888-931-1116.

Test Houses Needed!

One day of the Basic HERS class is spent doing hands-on testing and data collection in houses. The benefit to the home owner is that they essentially get a free energy audit (without a written report). If you know of someone who would like to volunteer to have their house audited during the class, please contact the CBPCA. All houses must have built-in heating and air conditioning systems and residents must be home during the audit.

Detailed Course Description – HERS Basic Certification Training

Successful completion of this course along with completion of the additional steps required will certify the participant as a California Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing Rater. This certification and association with a HERS Provider will enable the rater to perform duct testing, and refrigerant charge testing (EPA license required*) for additions and alterations to existing homes.

Training will include:

the CEC approved 2008 compliance requirements;

  • diagnostic testing and field verification procedures;
  • the preparation of the appropriate HERS rater verification forms for the cited compliance measures;
  • overview of Title 24, part 6 and overview of Title 20;
  • an introduction to the principles of building science
  • the set up and use of the following diagnostic testing equipment:
    1. Duct Blaster
    2. Blower Door
    3. ChargeRite (RCA)

To Complete Your Certification as a Rater

Upon completion of this three-day course, you will be given a CEC-mandated written test. Once you pass the written test, you will be able to arrange to perform a blower door test and refrigerant charge test in the field under the observation of a trainer using the testing equipment that was demonstrated in the classroom training. The CEC requires a trainer to be present for the first field verification/diagnostic testing performed by the Rater. The cost of this supervision is approximately $200 per field check. Upon successful passing of the written test and completion of your field tests, you will be given a certificate of completion for the CBPCA Basic HERS certification training.

Before you can provide rater services certified by the CBPCA, you will need to complete the following steps:

  1. Sign and return the Rater Agreement and $100.00 for your annual membership.
  2. Email a digital photo of yourself from your shoulders to top of your head. (The same as for a driver license or passport.)
  3. Once we receive these first two items, we will sign the Rater Agreement and return a copy to you along with your CBPCA HERS Rater identification badge that will have your picture and Certification number on it. We will also send you your Certification certificate that can be framed and displayed at your office.
  4. We will post your contact information in our CBPCA Professional Certification Registry along with your digital photo, the results of your certification test, rater agreement and your level of HERS training and certification. You will be able to post additional marketing information on your professional profile page which will be accessible to the public.
  5. Once you start conducting Title 24 Field Verification testing, the results of your testing will be posted in the CBPCA HERS registry. Our trainer will work with you to show you how to post your test results.
    After completing this process, you will be a CBPCA certified California Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing Rater as recognized by Title 24 of the State of California.

The CBPCA is required to audit 5% of each type of the jobs that you perform each year. The cost of the audits will be approximately $200 each and is the responsibility of each rater.

As a member of the CBPCA, you will be eligible to purchase testing equipment at a discounted rate.

* An EPA hazardous materials license is required to work with refrigerant

EPA Certification

Q: Do I need an EPA certification to be a HERS Rater?

A: To perform duties which require attaching refrigerant gauges as a rater, you must be EPA certified. If you choose not to offer refrigerant charge checks as part of your service, you will not need to be certified.

Q. Where can I get EPA certified, and which one do I need?

A. We don’t recommend one study course over another but you can visit www.epatest.com. You will be able to find home study material in your area. You will need the EPA Section 608 for Core and Type II Technician Certification to do refrigerant charge checks. The testing must be taken in front of an approved proctor (as prescribed by the study guide manufacturer) and cannot be taken online.

Q. What is the cost of the home study course?

A. It ranges based on the material you purchase but we have seen $60 to $100 for the course work and testing.

Q. I notice from the website that you can get a universal certification. Is that okay too?

A. Yes. The universal certification means you have tested and passed the Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III sections.

Q. How long does it take to study and pass the test?

A. I have heard stories that several people studied for just 4 hours before taking the test. It does not have to be a long process. If you do the prescribed reading along with their provided practice questions, you can accomplish the studying in several easy days. It is up to you.

Q. Typically, how many questions per section during the test.

A. 25. Since you have paid for the course, there is no reason not to take the other two sections, if you want. Remember, the test must be taken in front of the study materials approved proctor and not a CBPCA proctor.

Q. If I already possess level I certification, do I need to obtain the other ones?

A. Yes. To check refrigerant charge on HVAC Units, you must possess a Core and Type II certification.

Q. Do I need to be EPA certified before I take the HERS class?

A. No. You can take the class without an EPA certification. You WILL need your certification before you can be allowed to attach refrigeration gauges. For that reason, it is preferred and recommended that you obtain your certification prior to being proctored on the refrigerant charge verification.

Outline of the CBPCA 2008 HERS Basic Certification Training

  • Introduction
  • Class Requirements-Overview
  • California Energy Commission
    • Creation and Purpose
  • Building Energy Efficiency Standards
    • Title 20
      • Purpose
      • Roles, responsibilities and requirements
    • Title 24, 2008 Standards
      • Buildings covered
      • Definitions
      • Exempt Buildings
      • Compliance approaches
      • 10-103
  • Measures Requiring HERS Verification
    • Duct Testing
      • Requirements
      • Exceptions
      • Climate zones affected
      • Options and Leakage Rates
      • DuctBlaster and Procedures
    • Refrigerant Charge Measurement
      • Standard and Alternant Charge
      • Superheat/Subcooling
      • Temperature Split Airflow
      • Temperature Measurement Access Holes
      • Saturation Temperature Measurement Sensors
      • Static Pressure Probe
      • Cooling Coil Airflow
    • Air Handler Fan Watt Draw
      • Calculation
      • Airflow Improvement
      • Static Pressure
    • Climate Zones
      • Affected Measures by Climate Zone
        • Map
    • High EER
      • Verification Procedures
    • Maximum Rated Total Cooling Capacity
    • Building Envelope Sealing
    • Supply Duct Location, Surface Area and R-Value
    • Low Leakage Ducts in Conditioned Space
    • Low Leakage Air Handler
    • Evaporatively Cooled Condensers
    • Ice Storage Air Conditioners
    • High Quality Insulation Installation
    • Quality Insulation Installation for Spray Polyurethane Foam
    • PV Field Verification Protocol
    • Informational Only
  • Sampling
    • Group Size
    • Passing
    • Failures
    • Re-testing/Corrective Action
    • Third Party Quality Control Program
  • Approved Duct Sealing Materials
    • UL181
  • Ashrae 62.2
    • Ventilation Requirements
      • Informational Only
  • Compliance Forms
    • CF-1R
      • ADD
      • ALT
    • CF-6R
      • Env 20-22 HERS
      • Mech 20-29 HERS
    • CF-4R
      • Env 20-22 HERS
      • Mech 20-29 HERS
  • Energy Basics and Human Comfort (Building Science, House as a System
    • Methods of Heat Transfer
    • Sensible/Latent Heat
    • Heat Transfer within the Envelope
    • Thermal Mass
    • Infiltration/Exfiltration
    • Effects of Duct Leakage
  • Field House Testing
    • Infiltration Testing
    • Duct Testing
    • Visual Inspection
    • RCA Verification
    • Airflow/Fan Watt Draw
  • Review
    • Questions and Answers
  • Test
    • Open Book
    • Passing grade >75%

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