TOPIC: My expierience so far to become a Certified Energy rater.

I thought I would share my story.

It is still difficult to talk about.

I took my test on Thursday and failed. I scored a 72% and an 80% is needed.

Now I can retake the test anytime. Cost $50 each time.
There is so much material to know. I want to get it right this time around.

Well here is my story.

I started as a home inspector in 2001. I had no previous experience as a builder or related trade.

Some one with a building background would be a great candidate for being an energy rater.

I had to take the National Inspectors exam twice. This material is more difficult.

Here is just a brief description of what you need to know.

Geometry and Algebra. (I still do not know but have the materials to figure out) I was 1 out of 2 on the test questions and the one I got took me way to long to answer.

Building plans/Architect ruler. (I still have no idea) Missed 5 out of 6 test questions.
Again some one in the building background would ace this area.

Software program. This is separate from the test but a big part of what a rater does.
Dom this is an advanced program (For me you would figure out right away) and has a lot of built in stuff that does calculations. Try learning a program way harder then HIP in about 2 weeks.

Blower door/Duct blaster testing procedures. Each one has over a 100 page manual. I have never used or seen/touch until I started this. Now surprisingly I answered 9 out of 10 in the diagnostics area.

Building science. Lots of stuff to know and understand. You need to know how to convert gas and electric. Convection, conduction, radiation, thermodynamics, stack effect, positive pressure, negative pressure and a heck of a lot more.

My problem is poor comprehensive skills.

Moisture principles. Dew point/relative humidity. You need to know how it effects the building envelope.

Heating & Cooling. You need to no more than a HVAC contractor. You need to know how to size equipment/ AFUE/SEER/COP Latent heat/sensible heat and a heck of a lot more. EF for hot water heaters.

Air Infiltration. Lots to know.

Data collection/Improvement Analysis

EEM/IEM  These are mortgages.

There are 6 documents 100+ pages long and you need to know were to find info on default's and testing conditions.

There is a lot more too.

The course does not go over IR cameras and this would be separate course to do. But it is needed to do an audit.

Now before I started this I took these courses.

Green Building
Advanced HVAC
Moisture Intrusion
Intro IR

Now internachi courses are easy to pass. The questions are word for word out of the courses.

RESNET you need to understand to answer.

There are about 12 formulas you need to know and it is not A+ B = C

Now there were 3 others in my class and they all passed with high scores in the 90's. They worked together and I was isolated in the 4 day class.

I congratulate all that have passed this test and who do Energy Audits.

Now I should be studying as I have a lot to more to learn.

If you are interested in this course I can help you with some of the steps. maybe save you some time, money.

I can give you a lot of material but I can not give you a lot as well as it is copyrighted.

I can email you the PDF's if you would like them. Send me an email.

I would ask that you pray for me to have the knowledge and drive to understand the material and pass the test.  I did not deserve to pass the test. Do not know enough yet.

I was down but far from out. Fell of the saddle but I am on the horse with the finish line around the bend.

Maybe I could post some material and you could help me study/Learn

Are there any RESNET raters out there. Anyone know building plans.

You help me/Lots of you have and I love you for it. Great bunch here at HIP land.

I will return the favor and help you.

Pardon me if I do not exchange SEO or answer your email right away. You see I will have my head in the books(And hopefully not up my ***)

Thanks for your support

Your friend

Dave Macy

OK

There are 11 Modules that you need to do before you go to the 4 day class.

This is part of module 7. Geometry exercise.

I am going to try from what Dom , my Father in Law and I have learned so far.

I am posting so I write down and learned. Need to know to figure building plans.

1) Find the area of the above polygon. 

OK. Please understand my doing this on the public board. This is hard to do myself and now I feel I have you as my team.

Now the polygon is broken down in three areas.
Area A. 20*20 =400
Area B  20*20 =400
Area C. Now it is half the area so it would be 200.

Answer is 1000.

Now to figure in math need to use the Pythagorean Theorem. A square + B square = c square

So I came up with 28.28 for C.

Now here is my question. It would be 20 * 20 * .05  = 200.

Where does the .05 come from.


2) Find the perimeter of the above polygon.

This is easy now.  20* 6  + 28.28 = 148.28

Dave, I am more than familiar with both residential and commercial building plans. My main job is a Field Superintendent for a mid-size commercial construction company. I failed Geometry in high school. I will probably lean on Dominic when that time comes. (hint-hint)  ;D  E-mail me @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Drew

Dave, If I remember correctly, the Pythagorean Theorom is for RIGHT triangles, so that wouldn't apply. The .5 comes in because the area of a triangle is 1/2 the base x height. the polygon is two triangles if I read your post correctly, right? So you would not use the pythagorean here because you don't have a right triangle.

I can't see the image on my cell, I'll have to look at it when I get home. I taught Geometry for years.