Careers in Energy Rating & Modeling

• Home Energy Score Assessor
• Residential Energy Auditor
• Rating Field Inspector
• Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) Rater

Do you want to work at the forefront of housing? Understanding a home's energy use is the first step to identifying energy-saving opportunities. Energy consultants are constantly learning and they advise on how to make homes better. This work often involves a mix of on-site assessments and in-office computer work that analyzes the energy-related aspects of a home.

The positions listed below make recommendations for specific measures that a builder or homeowner can take to improve energy efficiency and cost savings, resulting in a home that is healthier, more efficient, more durable, and more comfortable for the occupant. These careers play a critical role in improving homes and will continue to be in high demand. 
 

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Home Energy Score Assessor

Career Pathway



Pay Range

$22.00 - $28.84 hour / $45,760 - $60,000 annual

Role Description

A Home Energy Score (HES) Assessor evaluates the energy related features of a home and prepares a report for homeowners and realtors that describes those features and their associated energy cost savings, as well as provides recommendations for improvement. 

Career progression from this position can lead self-motivated individuals to opening their own business. If interested, you may want to consider becoming a Certified Home Inspector and/or Residential Energy Auditor to gain foundational knowledge. Then, the HES certification will add value as part of a comprehensive suite of home performance services offered by a small business.

Benefits

• Great job outlook (HES Reports are mandatory in Portland, Milwaukie, Hillsboro, and Bend at the time of listing any home for sale) and can be offered throughout the U.S. as an added service
• Good entry point to other trades in the industry
• Flexible schedule

Challenges

• Assessments may require you to work in tight spaces
• Work is often performed while homeowner is present, requiring good communication and conscientiousness about working in their space
• Very competitive market; need to be self-motivated and a competent business owner to succeed in this career

Career Pathway Trainings

• Pre-requisite credentials for Home Energy Score Assessors
  • Building Science Principles – Building Performance Institute
  • Sustainable Homes Professional - Earth Advantage
• Roadmap to becoming a Home Energy Score Assessor – Earth Advantage

 

Career Pathway Trainings

• Roadmap to becoming a Home Energy Score Assessor – Earth Advantage
• Energy Auditor/Home Energy Professional (HEP) – Building Performance Institute

 

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Rating Field Inspector

Career Pathway

Role Description

A Rating Field Inspector (RFI) works under the supervision of a certified HERS Rater to conduct inspections and basic performance tests needed to produce a home energy rating. This position needs familiarity with blower doors, duct testing, and performance testing in order and the ability to identify and quantify building components and systems. While many consider this occupation an "entry-level" rater, RFIs can essentially do everything a HERS Rater can do except for the actual energy modeling.

Benefits

• Great first step toward a career as a certified HERS Rater. Your supervisor can be a mentor and help you cultivate your skills and competency in completing energy ratings.
• Employers may be willing to cover the costs of required training/certifications
• You can take your own pace at understanding the more complex side of the energy modeling aspects of becoming a HERS Rater
• Most RFI's spend a lot of time out in the field doing inspections. If you prefer being in the field to sitting behind a computer, this role may be a good fit for you.

Challenges

• Considerable amount of training and credentials required (sometimes paid for by employer)
• Must work under a HERS Provider and/or a certified HERS Rater
• Must possess fundamental understanding of building science and the “House as a System” concept

Career Pathway Trainings

• Building Analyst Technician – Building Performance Institute
• Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP) - Earth Advantage
• Rating Field Inspector (RFI) - Residential Energy Services Network

 

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Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) Rater

Career Pathway

Pay Range 

Role Description

As a HERS Rater (Home Energy Rating System Rater), you will inspect and audit homes according to the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) to determine how energy efficient they are. This role often works with builders to help them obtain proper documentation for final approval of their projects. Responsibilities include using a rating system to verify a building's energy use by entering data into an energy modeling software program.  

Trade Ally Residential New Construction Verifiers with Energy Trust of Oregon are HERS Raters who work with builders to provide technical guidance and issue an Energy Performance Score (EPS) on qualifying energy efficient new home construction projects. This role includes inspecting homes for program requirements, conducting performance testing (blower door, duct leakage, etc.), documenting project specifications, and providing info to a modeler to create an accurate energy score for the home.

HERS Raters should understand building envelopes and mechanical systems, high performance building practices, diagnostic testing, be able to read architectural drawing plans and specifications, and often utilize energy modeling software to create energy models on buildings.

Benefits

• Employers may be willing to cover the costs of required training/certifications
• Incentives are available through Energy Trust's EPS New Construction (EPS-NC) Program. These include:
  • Cash incentives for relevant trainings and continuing education
  • Cash incentives for equipment purchases, such as duct blasters or blower doors
  • incentives for affordable housing projects
  • Access to promotion, training resources and technical support
• With additional credentials and small business ownership skills, this position can earn upwards of $100,000 per year
• Future building codes may require HERS Raters to conduct diagnostic testing in homes

Challenges

• Considerable amount of training and credentials required (sometimes paid for by employer)
• Must work under a HERS Provider
• Must be highly detail oriented and thorough
• Must have fundamental understanding of building science and the “House as a System” concept

Career Pathway Trainings

• Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP) - Earth Advantage
• Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater - Residential Energy Services Network