In October, 2009, the Federal Government released a report entitled, Recovery Through Retrofit, where it set the ground work to kick-start a self-sustaining energy efficiency retrofit industry across the United States. The report was a collaboration between various government departments, including the Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Labor, the Office of the Vice President and the Executive Office of the President.
The Recovery Through Retrofit report seeks to benefit the country in several ways; by creating jobs in the energy efficiency retrofit industry, by helping homeowners to save money on their energy bills, and by reducing our nation’s impact on the environment.
The plan intends to tap into the $80 billion in the Recovery Act allocated to projects related to the environment and reductions in energy consumption.
The recommendations in the Recovery Through Retrofit plan intend to remove barriers that have prevented the energy retrofit industry from developing. The plan will:
- Improve the information available to homeowners so they can make more informed decisions about energy retrofit. This will include developing a national standard for measuring home energy efficiency, and developing a benchmark such as ENERGY STAR certification for existing homes that meet certain standards of energy efficiency.
- Improve homeowners’ access to financing for energy efficient retrofits by improving access to low interest loans and energy efficient mortgages.
- Establish national training and certification standards for energy efficiency and retrofit workers, to improve consumer confidence in the industry and provide standardization.
- Help energy audit and retrofit businesses by providing access to technical training as well as business training, in order to help businesses thrive even after stimulus money has been exhausted.
For more information about the Recovery Through Retrofit plan, read the document here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf
The government’s firm commitment to establishing a self-sustained energy efficiency industry is good news for anyone in the energy assessment and retrofit industry, and anyone entering it now. The plan will create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans, helping the economic recovery for our country.
In the current economic downturn, many Americans are looking to start a new career or a new business.
Even if you don’t have any experience with energy assessments or retrofits, you can get into the industry as a home energy auditor quickly by completing your classroom training and passing the required certification exams. You can get certified in a matter of a couple of months, and be on your way to a new career.
The Home Energy Team Institute offers complete training and certification by both RESNET and BPI, the two organizations that set the standards for energy efficiency in the US. You will receive classroom instruction to learn the theory behind energy efficiency and how to conduct a home energy audit, as well as practical training for using diagnostic equipment such as the blower door, duct blaster and infrared camera.
Visit www.HomeEnergyTeamInstitute.com for more information, or call 1-800-518-1877.