BPI publishes new home energy auditing standard

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) announced Monday that BPI-1100-T-2012 Home Energy Auditing Standard has been published as a BPI standard. The home performance industry has been calling for a resource the energy auditor can use to ensure that energy audits are conducted in alignment with current industry practices. Home performance professionals will now be able to ensure that energy audits are conducted as thoroughly as possible by applying this standard to their projects.

The new standard provides the protocols to conduct a building science-based evaluation of existing detached single-family dwellings and townhouses that meet specific criteria detailed in the scope of the standard. The evaluation addresses energy usage, elements of building durability, and occupant health and safety; provides a comprehensive scope of work to improve the home; and includes a cost-benefit analysis. BPI-1100-T-2012 also includes updated mechanical ventilation requirements by referencing ASHRAE standard 62.2-2010: Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low Rise Residential Buildings.

BPI is proceeding to have BPI-1100-T-2012 published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard, and will open a public comment period for this ANSI process in the near future.

The Home Energy Auditing Standard was developed by a working group created by BPI's Standards Technical Committee (STC) and comprised of subject matter experts representing the home performance industry and a variety of interest categories and geographical locations. This standard has received wide interest and has undergone multiple rounds of public review.